An Unofficial 'The MeatEater Podcast' Reading List

Ep. 346: Sex and Suicide on the Lewis and Clark Expedition

July 04, 2022

Description

Steven Rinella talks with Brad Tennant, Janis Putelis, Ryan Callaghan, Brody Henderson, Spencer Neuharth, and Phil Taylor. Topics discussed: How Steve isn't too into Lewis and Clark; Dustin Huff...
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Books Referenced

Black Range Tales

Author: James A. McKenna

Context:

The speaker mentions this as 'Carl Malcolm's favorite book' which he's currently reading. It's described as memoirs and recollections of a prospector and miner active in the 1880s in New Mexico's Black Range. The book discusses looting Pueblo sites and contains descriptions of wildlife like turkeys.

Son of the Morning Star

Author: Evan S. Connell

Context:

Referenced in a discussion about the vulnerabilities of journal reading and how different accounts can tell different stories. The speaker describes how the book details a doctor's account of finding Custer's command after it was slaughtered, and how the doctor omitted embarrassing details from his own journal.

Through Indian Eyes

Author: Editors of Reader's Digest

Context:

Brad mentions this book in the context of discussing Native American perspectives on the Lewis and Clark expedition. He notes it was emphasized during the bicentennial and focuses on the Native perspective, though he cannot remember the author's name.

Lewis and Clark among the Indians

Author: James Ronda

Context:

Brad explicitly recommends this book for those interested in Lewis and Clark's interactions with Native tribes. He notes it deals with each of the different tribal groups the expedition encountered, covering nearly fifty different nations.

Lewis and Clark pioneering naturalists

Author: Paul Russell Cutright

Context:

Brad recommends this book specifically for outdoorsmen and hunters interested in the Lewis and Clark expedition. He notes it discusses plants and animals identified by Lewis and Clark and puts things in perspective by county. He acknowledges it's 'not very politically correct by today's standards.'

Lewis and Clark Journals

Author: Gary Moulton

Context:

Brad mentions Gary Moulton's thirteen-volume edition of the Lewis and Clark Journals with annotations and maps. He describes it as essential reading that shows how the Missouri River course has changed and provides geographical perspective on where events took place.

Undaunted Courage

Author: Stephen Ambrose

Context:

Extensively discussed as the most popular Lewis and Clark book. Brad describes how Ambrose's publisher was initially reluctant but the book sold three million copies by 2001. The discussion includes criticisms that Ambrose makes assumptions, quotes other historians extensively, and had plagiarism issues, but acknowledges its popularity and readability.