Wilderness Journey: The Life of William Clark (Missouri Biography Series) (Volume 1) Paperback – Illustrated, January 1, 2004

An excellent biography that has illuminated many aspects of the Louisiana territory after the Corps of Discovery expedition, when Clark became its first governor. The actions of President Jefferson and William Clark moving the Indians off their traditional homelands/hunting grounds were surprising and scarcely laudable. Clark's first wife, Judith Hancock Clark, was a cousin of mine, as were their children. I have sent copies of this book to other members of our Hancock family in Virginia.

As a reader of "Undaunted Courage", the Steven Ambrose historical biography of Meriwether Lewis and his patron, Thomas Jefferson, I felt like I received only part of the picture of the expedition that opened the Louisiana Purchase to U.S. interests. This book completes the picture. Clark was the steady, get-the-job-done, go-to guy, who complemented the mercurial Lewis. Where Lewis made only occasional journal entries, Clark is the principal source of our non-botanical/zoological information because he reliably performed the journaling function. The only criticism I would have of the book is the repeated drubbing of Clark as a slave holder and his perceived mistreatment of York. It seems that Foley feels he has to apologize for Clark, who lived in a different age with a very different view of slavery. Once would have been enough.

It's about time someone wrote a modern full biography of William Clark (1770-1838). The second-in-command of the legendary Lewis and Clark Expedition deserves a much fuller discussion than heretofore available. Born in Virginia in 1770, Clark was closely tied to frontier military and Indian affairs throughout his life. He served with Gen. Anthony Wayne at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794, and between 1803 and 1806 he and Meriwether Lewis led the military expedition to explore the Louisiana Purchase to the Pacific Ocean. In 1813 Clark became Missouri Territorial governor, working during the War of 1812 to secure the frontier from British-incited Indian attacks. When Missouri was admitted to the Union in 1822, Clark was appointed by Congress superintendent of Indian affairs, serving until his death in 1838. He was fair, humane, and honest in his dealing with the western tribes.This book is an exceptionally well researched and written life of Clark, whose career, at least in its later stages, outstripped that of Meriwether Lewis. It is must reading for anyone interested in the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the settlement of the trans-Mississippi West. It replaces as the central work on the subject the biography written by Jerome O. Steffen, "William Clark: Jeffersonian Man on the Frontier" (University of Oklahoma Press, 1977).

A very fair presentation of the less dramatic but likely stabilizing factor in the Lewis and Clark expedition. He served as the counterpoint to the more dramatic Lewis and served a similar function in his own family. Foley presents Clark, warts and all, in the context of the time in which he lived. An excellent read.

I, of course, have already studied the epic journey -it seems to be historicaly well researched and complete -and deals with the issue of Lewis' illness with tact and compassion.i bought this for my grandchildren - who are of the Clark family -the book is of excellant print and binding quality -It is rich in well presented, informative illustrations -

The author skillfully blends history and biography to provide an absorbing look at American frontier during the early to mid 19th century,as well as a fresh narrative of the Lewis and Clark explorations. Foleyrenders Clark in a sympathetic light, even when accounting for his oftenharsh treatment of African-Americans and Native Americans. A well-researched and well-written book.

Great Book!! I had the chance to meet the author and this only confirmed my belief in this book. If you are a Lewis and Clark fan, this is a MUST read. SB