Overview
In the many published accounts of the Lewis and Clark expedition, historians have tended to undervalue the explorers' encounter with Columbia River country. Most narratives emphasize Lewis and Clark's adventures through their journey to the Bitterroot Mountains but have said little about the rest of their travels west of there. River of Promise fills a significant gap in our understanding of Lewis and Clark's legendary expedition.Historian David L. Nicandri shifts the focus to an essential goal of the explorers: to discover the headwaters of the Columbia and a water route to the Pacific Ocean. He also restores William Clark in his role as the primary geographic problem-solver of the partnership. Most historians assume that Meriwether Lewis was a more distinguished scientist than Clark because of his formal training in Philadelphia and superior writing skills. Here we see Clark as Lewis's equal as scientific geographer, not merely the practical manager of boats and personnel. Nicandri places the legend of Sacagawea in clearer perspective by focusing instead on the contributions of often-overlooked Indian leaders in Columbia River country. He also offers many points of comparison to other explorers and a provocative analysis of Lewis's suicide in 1809, arguing that it was not a sudden event but fruit of a seed planted much earlier, quite possibly in Columbia country. Originally published by The Dakota Institute.
Full Product Details
Author: David L. Nicandri ,
Clay S. Jenkinson
Publisher: Washington State University Press
Imprint: Washington State University Press
Dimensions:
Width: 15.20cm
, Height: 2.90cm
, Length: 22.90cm
Weight: 0.680kg
ISBN: 9780874224146
ISBN 10: 0874224144
Pages: 276
Publication Date: 03 February 2022
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
[Nicandri] brings a refreshing perspective and good advice: to read the expedition journals in context, to not take them at face value, to look at the details for fresh insights. --Crosscut It is a pleasant surprise to find much that is new and important in David Nicandri's River of Promise. --Oregon Historical Quarterly
Author Information
Former Washington State Historical Society Director David L. Nicandri is an expert in Pacific Northwest exploration history. Nicandri is the author of Lewis and Clark Reframed: Examining Ties to Cook, Vancouver, and Mackenzie and co-editor of two volumes on Captain James Cook.
