The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804–1806

The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804–1806 is a book by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, first published in 1814. These firsthand accounts chronicle one of the most ambitious exploration efforts in early American history: the expedition across the vast, largely unmapped territories west of the Mississippi River.

Written by the leaders of the Corps of Discovery, the journals offer a detailed record of landscapes, wildlife, Indigenous nations, and the daily challenges of forging a route to the Pacific. Their observations remain invaluable sources for historians, geographers, and readers who appreciate authentic early American travel narratives.

The book provides a vivid view of the natural world before widespread settlement and preserves essential descriptions of Native American cultures encountered along the way. Blending adventure, hardship, diplomacy, and scientific curiosity, the work stands as a cornerstone of exploration literature.

Readers seeking historical insight, wilderness discovery, or primary-source documentation of early American expansion will find these journals revealing and compelling, offering a grounded portrait of a transformative era.