The 19th century West was a place to dream about and migrate to, but speculation ended after visitors crossed the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. A formidable environment forced people to either adapt to it or fail. One who made an extraordinary adjustment was Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, the son of Sacagawea and Toussaint Charbonneau. He also was the adopted son of William Clark, co-leader of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Contradictions haunted the man of two worlds, both Anglo and Indian. These conflicts are revealed by his frontier activities and raise questions. For example, how did an educated, courtly man thrive among rugged, violent adventurers and consistent danger? He was raised in Clark’s mansion and spent six years in a European kingdom; why did he choose to live and work in the wilderness?
The text tracks him over two-thirds of the American continent and places him in important historical events. Along with his travels, the extraordinary relationship between the Charbonneaus and Clark is examined.
The author reflects throughout the narrative on the rigorous personal challenges and historical developments Jean Baptiste and others faced. Followers of Lewis and Clark, the Charbonneaus, western development and culture, and those who embrace the western environment will find the text rewarding.
"History at its Best! This informative and pleasurable read about Charbonneau, the much loved baby "Pomp" on the Corps of Discovery, puts a face on the man that went on to become successful in the charted but yet untamed West in his own right." Maggie Starr
"I Enjoyed it! I’m giving it five stars. I liked the book precisely because it skips the minutia and focuses on the most important elements of the story. I also appreciated the author’s effort to engage the reader in reasonable supposition about Baptiste’s undocumented activities."
"Overall, the author has done a superb job of researching the life of this larger-than-
"Great reading! A thoroughly enjoyable and authentic record of part of our American history. A young man’s mark that makes this record a deeply memorable one." Alice Cano
The book has been purchased by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, museum bookstores, educators and the general public.
Contact:
Michael Ritter
707-836-8858
ISBN1594578680
