The Character of Meriwether Lewis

The Character of Meriwether Lewis discusses Lewis's sense of humor, his oft-stated fear that the expedition he was leading might collapse, his self-conscious learnedness, and his inability to re-enter "polite society" after his return. Jenkinson attempts to reconstruct Lewis's rich, troubled personality, and his aspirations to heroism, from his journal entries and letters. When the American mythology surrounding him is removed and Lewis is allowed to reveal himself, he emerges as a fuller, more human, and endlessly fascinating explorer.