The Untold Stories of Lewis and Clark's Expedition

New book sheds light on the diverse group that helped shape the famous journey west

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:54pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic object from the Lewis and Clark expedition, such as a compass or canoe, repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the diverse tools and artifacts that enabled the expedition's journey.A vibrant pop art interpretation of the diverse tools and artifacts that enabled the Lewis and Clark expedition to forge new paths across the American West.Boston Today

A new book by Craig Fehrman, "This Vast Enterprise," provides a fresh and inclusive look at the Lewis and Clark expedition, moving beyond the traditional narrative to highlight the crucial contributions of figures like York, Clark's enslaved servant, and Sacajawea, the Lemhi Shoshone and Hidatsa woman who served as a guide and cultural ambassador. The book rotates between the perspectives of various characters, including soldiers, Native leaders, and the expedition's leaders themselves, offering a more nuanced understanding of the challenges and negotiations that took place during the 8,000-mile trek.

Why it matters

The Lewis and Clark expedition is a foundational moment in American history, but the standard narrative has often overlooked the diverse group of people who made the journey possible. By shedding light on the roles of York, Sacajawea, and other lesser-known figures, Fehrman's book provides a more complete and inclusive understanding of this pivotal expedition, challenging the traditional heroic depiction of Lewis and Clark.

The details

Fehrman's book uses lost documents, oral histories, and a careful use of speculative language to construct fuller portraits of figures like York, Clark's enslaved servant, and Sacajawea, the Lemhi Shoshone and Hidatsa woman who served as a guide and cultural ambassador. The book also explores the tensions and negotiations that took place between the expedition members and the various Native peoples they encountered, including the Lakota leader Black Buffalo and the Arikara leader Piahito.

  • The Lewis and Clark expedition took place in the early 19th century, beginning in 1804 and lasting until 1806.
  • Fehrman's book, "This Vast Enterprise," was published in 2026.

The players

Meriwether Lewis

One of the leaders of the Corps of Discovery expedition, along with William Clark.

William Clark

One of the leaders of the Corps of Discovery expedition, along with Meriwether Lewis.

York

Clark's enslaved servant, who played a crucial role in the expedition, from hunting to caring for Clark when he fell ill.

Sacajawea

A Lemhi Shoshone and Hidatsa woman who served as a guide, natural historian, and cultural ambassador for the expedition.

Craig Fehrman

The author of the book "This Vast Enterprise," which provides a fresh and inclusive look at the Lewis and Clark expedition.

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What they’re saying

“York was loath to give York credit for his contributions to the Corps — this was, after all, a master-slave relationship — and that York, enjoying at least a brief sensation of autonomy, embraced the fun of pretending to be a bear for the amusement of Native children.”

— Craig Fehrman, Author

“Sacajawea gets more credit in Lewis and Clark's journals than York did, but Fehrman turns her into a three-dimensional character with her own hopes, dreams and regrets.”

— Chris Vognar, Reviewer

What’s next

The book "This Vast Enterprise" by Craig Fehrman is expected to generate further discussion and scholarship around the lesser-known figures and diverse perspectives that shaped the Lewis and Clark expedition, potentially leading to a more inclusive understanding of this pivotal moment in American history.

The takeaway

Fehrman's book challenges the traditional heroic narrative of the Lewis and Clark expedition by highlighting the crucial contributions of figures like York and Sacajawea, providing a more nuanced and inclusive account of this landmark journey and the complex negotiations and relationships that made it possible.