I really enjoyed this look at an expedition I knew nothing about: the by sea and overland endeavor to establish a fur colony at the end of the Columbia River.

I lived in Astoria, OR for several years so it was a neat trip down memory lane to read all those place names and see just how they came to be.

This was a well contextualized book. The author deftly compares the fate of expedition between the Jefferson and Madison presidencies and gives special note to just how impactful the War of 1812 was to the fledgling colony.

It was also honest and respectful to the Native American peoples who were such a large part of those early colonists lives.

I’d recommend this if you’re interested in the history of the Pacific Northwest or Manifest Destiny.