This Vast Enterprise by Craig Fehrman

The Bold New History of Lewis & Clark That Changes Everything

In This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis & Clark, acclaimed historian and journalist Craig Fehrman delivers a gripping, revisionist masterpiece — the first major reappraisal of the legendary expedition in a generation.

More than just the story of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, this immersive narrative reveals the full, untamed truth of the Corps of Discovery. Fehrman shifts the spotlight to the diverse “unruly ensemble” who made the 8,000-mile journey possible: the enslaved explorer York, the indispensable Sacajawea, working-class soldiers like Sergeant John Ordway, Native leaders such as Black Buffalo and the young Blackfoot warrior Wolf Calf, and dozens of others whose voices have been silenced for two centuries.

Drawing on five years of groundbreaking research — including lost documents, unpublished archives, Native oral histories, and more than thirty research trips — Fehrman shatters long-held myths and paints a profoundly human portrait of ambition, hardship, courage, and cultural collision. Each chapter unfolds from a different perspective, creating a vivid, page-turning tapestry that feels fresh, inclusive, and alive.

A New York Times rave calls it “a richly woven tapestry of voices” and “a fantastic achievement.” Perfect for fans of Undaunted Courage, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, and sweeping American history that reads like the best fiction.