Or Perish in the Attempt: Wilderness Medicine in the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Rating:
Summary: A Modern Classic
Review: Dr. Peck has rewarded us all with his thorough research and clear explanations. Since first reading Ambrose's book, Undaunted Courage, two years ago, I have steadily digested everything that I could get my hands on that dealt with the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Last year, I remarked to a friend that someone needed to write a book that filled in the gaps that Dr. Chuinard left regarding the medical aspects of the journey. Fortunately, Dr. Peck has saved someone the toil.
I have only three criticisms of the book. First, some of the expressions may be a little too ecclectic for a non-medical person or the person who reads the book 100 years from now. Examples are the referring to phlebotomists as "vampires" and his reference to Pompey being born at 3 or 4 AM. Second, I am curious as to why Peck did not cover the Lewis & Clark's medical study done during the winter spent near St. Louis. Dr. Chuinard covered this extensively, but Dr. Peck does not mention it. Third, I disagree with the conclusion that Lewis committed suicide. Perhaps it is a matter of denial, but there are too many suspicious factors for me to conclude that Lewis killed himself.
When I picked this book up, my most pressing question about the author was regarding the way in which he dealt with Dr. Benjamin Rush. I have found (in 20 years of medical experience) that it is hard to judge the quality of care rendered a few years ago, and that 200 years is a nearly impossible breach of time. Dr. Peck has dealt with Dr. Rush honestly, and does not judge him by today's standard of care. Dr. Chuinard was too critical of Dr. Rush, and Dr. Peck has helped clear Dr. Rush's reputation: Dr. Rush was one of the soundest physicians that America would know before 1900. Dr. Rush helped bring the dawn from the "Dark Ages" of medicine.
Ambrose and Peck are the authors that every student of the Corps of Discovery should start with. Thank you, Dr. Peck.

Rating:
Summary: From JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association)
Review: Dr. Peck...has assembled an engrossing account of the illnesses and injuries as gleaned from the journals of the captains and enlisted men...The best known medical compilation in book form is the widely cited "Only One Man Died:The Medical Aspects of the Lewis and Clark Expedition"...Or Perish in the Attempt is a major improvement in that it provides detailed differential diagnosis and critical commentary on treatments that Chuinard did not include...The strength of Peck's book is its delightful readability...a valuable analysis of the process by which the diverse personalities blended into a coherent team with all committed to succeed, a team whose members readily risked their lives for one another...Peck has a detailed analysis of Meriwether Lewis' death, carefully exploring the possibilities of suicide, murder, opiate addiction, and neurosyphillis...Or Perish in the Attempt is an excellent contribution to the Lewis and Clark medical canon and a must for medical Clarkies. It is a delightful and satisfying account of the journey."
JAMA, July 2, 2003

Rating:
Summary: please read reviews from hardcopy of "Or Perish"
Review: I BOUGHT THIS BOOK TO READ ON A WHIM, AS I AM NOT A BIG LEWIS AND CLARK BUFF, BUT TOTALLY ENJOYED IT AND FOUND IT TO BE EDUCATIONAL, FUNNY, AND VERY ENTERTAINING. IF YOU WANT TO LEARN ABOUT THE TRIP IN GENERAL AND EARLY AMERICAN MEDICAL PRACTICE, AS WELL AS THE TREMENDOUS HARDSHIPS INVOLVED IN THIS GREAT EVENT,I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THIS BOOK. THE MEDICAL INFORMATION IS DETAILED, BUT NOT OVERLY COMPLEX. ONE OF THE BETTER AND MORE ENTERTAINING BOOKS I'VE READ LATELY.

Rating:
Summary: Or Perish in the Attempt: A Great Read
Review: Never having been a history buff, I nonetheless began reading "Or Perish In The Attempt" upon the recommendation of friend. I absolutely loved it! It is a great adventure story which focuses not only on the medicine of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, but on the quirkly, fascinating characters of the Corps of Discovery. Peck highlights the exciting and dangerous experiences these men (one woman, and a baby) had during the Expedition, keeping us on the edge of our seats much of the time. This story is a very good read and is an inspiration to anyone who has ever had to do something difficult or dangerous and thought they would never succeed. In addition, the author, David Peck, has a dry wit which he infuses into the narration by way of some humorous, offbeat stories about his experiences as a contemporary, suburban doctor. This book is fascinating, motivational, and educational all at the same time.

Rating:
Summary: The Rest of the Lewis and Clark Story
Review: The story of Lewis and Clark is fascinating ' one of the original legendary American expeditions with extraordinary implications. The historical record and the many books available to us that interpret this journey into the unknown let us relive the excitement of exploration of the American frontier. However, until Or Perish in the Attempt by Dr. David Peck was written and published, only half of the legendary story of Lewis and Clark has been told. Now you can experience the 'rest of the story' through the eyes of an articulate, practicing modern physician who unveils the medical threat that the Corps of Discovery was under during the few years it took them to get to the Pacific northwest and back. Dr. Peck sets the foundation by first explaining the prevailing medical philosophy of the times by leading physicians, including Dr. B. Rush ' a leading advocate of blood letting. Then, we follow Lewis as he gets his guidance in person from Dr. Rush for the perceived medical threat and heads off up the Missouri with Clark and all their men, materials and supplies into the heart of darkness. While the Corps of Discovery went about their business meeting their basic survival and occasional life enhancement needs, Dr. Peck takes the story to a much deeper and scarier level. While Lewis and Clark and their men worried about Indians, snakes, bears around the bend, the medical threat loomed all around them in the form of mosquitoes carrying deadly malaria and all sorts of bugs and germs that the men ingested from drinking river water and eating inordinate amounts of meat from all kinds of critters that were available to them for life sustaining food. Dr. Peck shows that these guys were very rough and tough. However, they got sick and were often very sick along the way and didn't have an emergency room to run to for help. Everyone turned to Lewis for help as he handed out the Thunder Clappers and other drugs from his supplies. Dr. Peck takes these complex ideas and concepts from the medical world and breaks them down so we can understand them thoroughly. In so doing, the story of Lewis and Clark becomes more real than ever before. As a result, the reader comes away with a serious education about health care and the awesome power of the human body to heal itself ' if things are done correct. The ending of Or Perish in the Attempt was the high point of the book because Dr. Peck clearly shows why Lewis died shortly after returning from the expedition. That explanation alone is worth the price of admission. So, if you want to take a ride, then get in line for your E-Ticket on the Or Perish in the Attempt roller coaster ride by Dr. David Peck. This is a must read for anyone who thinks they already know the story of Lewis and Clark or for anyone who might think they know how to take care of themselves in the wilderness or their own backyard.

Rating:
Summary: From JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association)
Review: The story of Lewis and Clark is fascinating � one of the original legendary American expeditions with extraordinary implications. The historical record and the many books available to us that interpret this journey into the unknown let us relive the excitement of exploration of the American frontier. However, until Or Perish in the Attempt by Dr. David Peck was written and published, only half of the legendary story of Lewis and Clark has been told. Now you can experience the �rest of the story� through the eyes of an articulate, practicing modern physician who unveils the medical threat that the Corps of Discovery was under during the few years it took them to get to the Pacific northwest and back. Dr. Peck sets the foundation by first explaining the prevailing medical philosophy of the times by leading physicians, including Dr. B. Rush � a leading advocate of blood letting. Then, we follow Lewis as he gets his guidance in person from Dr. Rush for the perceived medical threat and heads off up the Missouri with Clark and all their men, materials and supplies into the heart of darkness. While the Corps of Discovery went about their business meeting their basic survival and occasional life enhancement needs, Dr. Peck takes the story to a much deeper and scarier level. While Lewis and Clark and their men worried about Indians, snakes, bears around the bend, the medical threat loomed all around them in the form of mosquitoes carrying deadly malaria and all sorts of bugs and germs that the men ingested from drinking river water and eating inordinate amounts of meat from all kinds of critters that were available to them for life sustaining food. Dr. Peck shows that these guys were very rough and tough. However, they got sick and were often very sick along the way and didn�t have an emergency room to run to for help. Everyone turned to Lewis for help as he handed out the Thunder Clappers and other drugs from his supplies. Dr. Peck takes these complex ideas and concepts from the medical world and breaks them down so we can understand them thoroughly. In so doing, the story of Lewis and Clark becomes more real than ever before. As a result, the reader comes away with a serious education about health care and the awesome power of the human body to heal itself � if things are done correct. The ending of Or Perish in the Attempt was the high point of the book because Dr. Peck clearly shows why Lewis died shortly after returning from the expedition. That explanation alone is worth the price of admission. So, if you want to take a ride, then get in line for your E-Ticket on the Or Perish in the Attempt roller coaster ride by Dr. David Peck. This is a must read for anyone who thinks they already know the story of Lewis and Clark or for anyone who might think they know how to take care of themselves in the wilderness or their own backyard.

Rating:
Summary: An exhilarating view!
Review: To say that Dr. Peck has given light to another side of the journey of the Corp isn't enough; this is more than a fresh perspective. Or Perish in the Attempt earns its place among the great books about this journey of the Corp of Discovery. While reading this book the reader will feel the dust on the trail, the sweat from a day in the canoe, the fear of facing down a grizzly, and the curiosity as Lewis and Clark disperse liberal doses of "Thunderclappers." Dr. Peck has given us a well researched account of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and taught us crucial lessons in wilderness medicine at the beginning of the 19th century. I can't wait to go back to these dog-eared pages and retrace the steps again. Thank you for the well written book, thank you for the medical insights with the explanation that I can understand, and thank you for bringing these stories to light.

Rating:
Summary: An exhilarating view!
Review: To say that Dr. Peck has given light to another side of the journey of the Corp isn't enough; this is more than a fresh perspective. Or Perish in the Attempt earns its place among the great books about this journey of the Corp of Discovery. While reading this book the reader will feel the dust on the trail, the sweat from a day in the canoe, the fear of facing down a grizzly, and the curiosity as Lewis and Clark disperse liberal doses of "Thunderclappers." Dr. Peck has given us a well researched account of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and taught us crucial lessons in wilderness medicine at the beginning of the 19th century. I can't wait to go back to these dog-eared pages and retrace the steps again. Thank you for the well written book, thank you for the medical insights with the explanation that I can understand, and thank you for bringing these stories to light.