Sources of the River, Jack Nisbet
Sources of the River, Jack Nisbet
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Sources of the River
Tracking David Thompson Across Western North America

Author: Jack Nisbet

Narrator: Chris Abernathy

Unabridged: 8 hr 10 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 11/14/2023


Synopsis

The awe-inspiring story of explorer David Thompson, whose expeditions helped shape western North America

In this true story of adventure, author Jack Nisbet recreates the life and times of David Thompson—fur trader, explorer, surveyor, and mapmaker. From 1784 to 1812, Thompson explored western North America, and his field journals provide the earliest written accounts of the natural history and indigenous cultures of the what is now British Columbia, Alberta, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. Thompson was the first person to chart the entire route of the Columbia river, and his wilderness expeditions have become the stuff of legend.

Jack Nisbet tracks the explorer across the continent, interweaving his own observations with Thompson's historical writings. The result is a fascinating story of two men discovering the Northwest territory almost two hundred years apart.

About Jack Nisbet

Jack Nisbet is a historian, teacher, and author focusing on the intersection of human history and natural history in the Pacific Northwest. His books include Sources of the River (recipient of the Washington Governor's Award and winner of the Murray Morgan Prize from the Washington State Historical Society), The Mapmaker's Eye (named one of the best nonfiction books of the year by the Seattle Times), The Collector (a Pacific Northwest Book Award winner), The Dreamer and The Doctor, and Visible Bones. He lives in Spokane, Washington.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Stephen on June 06, 2019

What a great body of historical work. I've lived in the Inland Northwest for eight years now since first crossing the continent from the East Coast to attend college in Spokane. Since then I have seen the natural sights and heard of David Thompson. While as a teacher in Seattle I even briefly taught......more

Goodreads review by Andrew on July 16, 2020

A proper adventure adequately translated from notes and shorthand that illustrates the life and journey of one of the most capable early surveyors in the United States. Thompson's mapping techniques, personal and professional endeavors, relationships with indigenous groups, and thirst for discovery......more

Goodreads review by Andy on July 22, 2018

David Thompson was arguably the first person ever to travel the entire Columbia River, certainly the first one of European descent. Thompson worked for different British trading companies and his duties included exploring, searching for a river passage to the Pacific, and surveying the lands he expl......more

Goodreads review by Lee on March 18, 2008

Real explorers eat their horses and build canoes. Great history of the Lewis and Clark contemporary looking for the source and mouth of the Columbia while trying to earn a living as a fur trader.......more

Goodreads review by Nancy on December 28, 2012

Pretty much my favorite book; I re-read fairly regularly.......more