To the Ends of the Earth: The Last
Journey of Lewis & Clark by Frances
Hunter
Lewis & Clark Expedition - The Sequel
St. Louis, 1809. Three years after the triumphal return of the Lewis & Clark
Expedition, Meriwether Lewis never felt less like a hero. Trapped in a
thankless political job, hes drinking too much and spending money like
theres no tomorrow. When hes called to a mysterious meeting, Lewis
hopes for a new adventure that will turn his life around. Instead, he finds
himself drawn into a conspiracy to put him and William Clark at the head of
a new American empire. Lewis has his faults, but hes no traitor ... and
suddenly Lewis the explorer becomes the hunted. As for Clark, hes willing
to risk everything to save his best friend from dishonor and disgrace. In the
end, neither man can imagine the price to pay for their loyalty to each other
and to their country. History and fiction merge seamlessly in this thrilling
historical novel based on one of Americas greatest unsolved mysteries.

Lewis and Clarks last journey is a classic story of honor, vengeance, and
redemption.
Personal Review: To the Ends of the Earth: The Last Journey of
Lewis & Clark by Frances Hunter
It was once explained to me by a literary agent that the perfect recipe for a
best-selling historical novel was to write about an unknown aspect of an
event or person that everyone had heard about. He gave as an example
"Cold Mountain" - everyone has heard about the Civil War, right? But the
distinct un-enthusiasm of many nominally Confederate soldiers for the
Southern cause was the perfect unknown aspect. By this principle, "To the
Ends of the Earth" is a striking example of this axiom. Everyone has heard
of the Lewis and Clark Expedition; that daring, two-year long mapping and
scientific exploration of the then-newly-acquired Louisiana Territory. That
acquisition expanded American possessions from a bare coastal toehold
plus mountain range country to most of a continent, from sea to sea, but
at the time it was very much a pig in a poke. It was the challenge of two
daring young Army officers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to go and
see what Thomas Jefferson had wrought, or at least purchased.
And so they did, and to great acclaim, popular, political and scientific... but
this book is a speculative account of what happened afterward; primarily
an exploration of the mystery surrounding the death of Meriwether Lewis,
who was on his way back to Washington, to account for his use - or
misuse - of government funds. Was he murdered, as part of a plot by a
vicious and sinister political enemy? Or - chronically ill, depressed and self-
medicating with alcohol and patent medicines - did he kill himself? How
valuable were his expedition journals, maps and scientific observations on
every aspect of what he and his good friend had seen on their journey to
the Pacific Coast? How much would a foreign power pay for them?
"To the Ends of the Earth" is more than a period thriller; it is also a deftly
drawn and sympathetic portrait of friendships and relationships, in an age
when the political and the personal merged. The deep friendship between
Lewis and Clark is only the central facet. Of similar interests and
complimentary temperaments, the great expedition had been the
professional high point of both their lives, something that they had both
longed to do and planned for. The close father-and-son affection between
Lewis and Thomas Jefferson, his political and intellectual patron is implied,
but powerful. Then there is the fraught relationship between Clark and his
slave, York. York, who accompanied the two explorers into the west, is
torn now between loyalty and affection. His growing dissatisfaction at being
merely property, a chattel is more fully developed, as the two of them
follow Lewis along the Natchez Trace on what would become Meriwether
Lewis' last journey. And then there is Clarks' marriage to the pretty and
feisty Julia, and her growing sense of independence.
The narrative is a web of relationships, but the force that drives the plot is
the malign character of James Wilkinson. Wilkinson - a political general

and military incompetent - is known to have been entangled in all kinds of
traitorous self-serving plots, during the early days of the American republic
- including that which entangled Aaron Burr. Historically, Wilkinson seems
to have been as corrupt and slippery an operator as is painted here; as
such he makes almost too satisfactory a villain, cheerfully taking money
from a foreign power and planting malicious gossip about people who have
crossed him politically.
"To the Ends of the Earth" is a gripping and accomplished read, well-
researched and unfailing in it's portrayal of a time when the United States
was still new and uncertain - and yet blessed with the services and
devotion of men like Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.
For More 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price:
To the Ends of the Earth: The Last Journey of Lewis & Clark by Frances Hunter 5 Star
Customer Reviews and Lowest Price!