Undaunted Courage is a riveting tale of adventure and exploration, chronicling the epic journey of Captain Meriwether Lewis and his expedition across the uncharted American frontier.
In 1803, under the directive of President Thomas Jefferson, Lewis embarked on a pioneering voyage across the Great Plains and into the Rockies. This was not just any expedition; it was a military mission into hostile territory, a land vast and wild, ruled by Native American tribes.
Charismatic and brave, Lewis was the perfect choice for this daring journey. He experienced the savage North American continent in its pristine beauty, encountering vast herds of buffalo and indigenous tribes who had never seen a white man before.
The book vividly portrays colorful characters such as William Clark, the rugged frontiersman; Sacagawea, the young Indian girl who accompanied the expedition; and Drouillard, the skilled French-Indian hunter.
This story is not only about heroism but also tragedy. Despite receiving a hero's welcome in Washington in 1806, Lewis felt his expedition was a failure, as it did not fulfill the president's dreams of fertile lands and easy passageways. This disappointment led to his tragic downfall, marked by debts and depression.
Undaunted Courage combines drama, suspense, danger, and diplomacy, making it an outstanding work of scholarship and a thrilling adventure that captures the spirit of exploration and the complexities of the human spirit.
The Persian Expedition is an enthralling eyewitness account by Xenophon, a young Athenian noble who sought his destiny abroad. It narrates the attempt by a Greek mercenary army – the Ten Thousand – to help Prince Cyrus overthrow his brother and seize the Persian throne.
When the Greeks were betrayed by their Persian employers, they were forced to march home through hundreds of miles of difficult terrain – adrift in a hostile country and under constant attack from the unforgiving Persians and warlike tribes.
In this outstanding description of endurance and individual bravery, Xenophon, one of those chosen to lead the retreating army, provides a vivid narrative of the campaign and its aftermath. His account remains one of the best pictures we have of Greeks confronting a 'barbarian' world.