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Review
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Encyclopedia of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, by Elin Woodger
and Brandon Toropov. New York: Checkmark Books, 2004. 438 pages,
$41.95 paper.
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The Encyclopedia of the Lewis and Clark Expedition by Elin
Woodger and Brandon Toropov is a superbly organized and well-researched
resource on the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1803-1806). Like many
other titles on the topic this text is timely, given the renewed
scholarly and popular attention the expedition has received during
its bicentennial year. The text includes a wide range of entries
(360 in all) aimed to "encompass every aspect of the Corps
of Discovery journey, from their botanical, ornithological, and
zoological discoveries to the people and events connected to the
expedition." (xiv) Each of the entries is specifically connected
to the expedition, even references to the "Lost Tribes of Israel."
"Dead Reckoning," and Nicholas Biddle" are shown
to have clear connections to events between 1803 and 1806. A systematic
review of each entry reveals a breadth and depth that reflects favorably
on the scholarly focus of the two authors and their thorough command
of the Lewis and Clark journals.
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The Encyclopedia is organized
in a logical and helpful fashion. It opens with an introduction
that provides an overview of the entire expedition and the importance
of the Louisiana Purchase in the history of the United States. This
is followed by a detailed and accurate chronology starting with
Sir Francis Drake's Pacific coast expedition in 1578 and finishing
with the so called "closing of the frontier" in 1890.
Interestingly, Thomas Jefferson proved wrong in his belief that
"it would take 50 generations before the continent could be
settled." (xxv) Between 1803 and 1807 the chronology includes
ten detailed maps tracing the "Route of the Corps of Discovery."
The 360 entries that follow vary in length and generally include
pertinent titles under the heading of "Further Reading."
A careful analysis of the quality of the entries and the wide-ranging
topics included, demonstrates a firm grasp of the topic by the authors.
Every aspect of the expedition is covered from "Sex During
the Expedition" to entries on every member of the corps including
"York," a slave member of the expedition, who is the last
entry in the text. The encyclopedia closes with two appendixes"Tribes
the Expedition Encountered" and "Maps"and a comprehensive
bibliography.
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Woodger and Toropov assert in their
preface that the "encyclopedia has been designed to give easy
access to topics in which a reader may be interested [concerning
the Corps of Discovery]." (xv) They have achieved this goal
and, in so doing, have provided a superb resource for history teachers
at all levels. The organization and references will appeal to middle
and high school teachers interested in incorporating the Lewis and
Clark expedition into their curriculum as well as to college and
university faculty who will find sound analysis and up-to-date references,.
All teachers will appreciate the attention that the authors have
paid to cartography, multicultural issues, and the role of native
peoples in the ultimate success of the expedition. The book will
also interest scholars, librarians, and general readers interested
in the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
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Iona College, New Rochelle, NY
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James T. Carroll
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