Lewis and Clarks Compass

08/11/2021

Book Review: Lewis and Clark’s Compass by John Micklos, Jr.

In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson negotiated one of the greatest real estate deals in history. Napoleon Bonaparte needed money to finance his war to take over Europe, and the United States wanted to expand its footprint. Originally, the idea was to purchase the city of New Orleans, strategically placed at the mouth of the Mississippi, for $10 million.  Instead, Napoleon offered the entire Louisiana Territory for $15 million, a total of 828,000 square miles for about 3 cents per acre. Jeffer5son then tapped his private secretary, Meriwether Lewis, to explore the huge area with an eye to finding a Northwest Passage. Lewis asked his fellow Army officer, William Clark, to join his expedition.

This book tells the tale of their incredible journey without pulling any punches.  While providing an excellent overview of the journey, it also speaks to slavery and the way the Louisiana Purchase and subsequent settlements affected the Native Americans who had lived on the land for thousands of years. For this alone, the book is commendable.

The compass in question is one of a few artifacts that made the journey and remain intact today.This item is in the collection of the Smithsonian, and this book is part of a series about such artifacts that they have. Richly illustrated with drawings, paintings, maps, and photographs, there is a lot of history packed into this relatively small book.  The author describes how Lewis and Clark not only mapped the huge territory they explored but also took detailed notes and made drawings of the animals and plants they discovered along the route. Sacajawea, the Shoshone woman who acted as a translator and guide for the expedition, is given the admiration and honor she so richly deserves. Each step of their journey is described as well as the tools used along the way.

Perfect for any history lover, or any kid interested in the outdoors, this book will inspire readers to look for more reading about the characters and happenings in it. As with all Penworthy Prebound Books, it is designed to circulate and endure, with a quality guarantee: if at any time you are not satisfied with its quality, let us know and we will replace it. Click here to add it to your collection today!