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

Rating:
Summary: JAMA book review
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" by orthopedic surgeon E.G. Chuinard. "r 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..."Or Perish in the Attempt" is an excellent contribution to the Lewis and Clark medical canon and a must for medical Clarkies. It is also a delightful and satisfying account of the journey."
JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) July 2, 2003

Rating:
Summary: JAMA book review
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" by orthopedic surgeon E.G. Chuinard. "r 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..."Or Perish in the Attempt" is an excellent contribution to the Lewis and Clark medical canon and a must for medical Clarkies. It is also a delightful and satisfying account of the journey."
JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) July 2, 2003

Rating:
Summary: A whole new look at Lewis and Clark
Review: Dr. Peck has managed to capture the feel of everyday life on the expedition more than any other author. For those of us who love the outdoors and have fantasized about having been on the expedition, Dr. Peck has pointed out the reality of the hardships through the wilderness medical realities of the time and made me aware that it took an extremely unique, tough, dedicated and skillful person to have survived (and thrived) on this adventure. This book is a must for adventurers. Bo Newell, Nellysford, Virginia.

Rating:
Summary: A whole new look at Lewis and Clark
Review: Dr. Peck has managed to capture the feel of everyday life on the expedition more than any other author. For those of us who love the outdoors and have fantasized about having been on the expedition, Dr. Peck has pointed out the reality of the hardships through the wilderness medical realities of the time and made me aware that it took an extremely unique, tough, dedicated and skillful person to have survived (and thrived) on this adventure. This book is a must for adventurers. Bo Newell, Nellysford, Virginia.

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: 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: JAMA book review
Review: Just finished this book and found it fascinating. Being from and living in the Pacific Northwest puts another perspective on the Lewis & Clark journey. It was particularly interesting that the author shed light on early 19th century medicine through the Lewis & Clark journey. Peck made both subjects very interesting, and I felt used a unique and humanistic style of writing in doing so. In reading the book, you feel like you can really identify with those that made the journey, almost as if you're traveling on the journey with them. I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in U.S. History, Adventure and/or Medicine.

Rating:
Summary: Or Perish in the Attempt
Review: Just finished this book and found it fascinating. Being from and living in the Pacific Northwest puts another perspective on the Lewis & Clark journey. It was particularly interesting that the author shed light on early 19th century medicine through the Lewis & Clark journey. Peck made both subjects very interesting, and I felt used a unique and humanistic style of writing in doing so. In reading the book, you feel like you can really identify with those that made the journey, almost as if you're traveling on the journey with them. I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in U.S. History, Adventure and/or Medicine.

Rating:
Summary: Or Perish in the Attempt
Review: Just finished this book and found it fascinating. Being from and living in the Pacific Northwest puts another perspective on the Lewis & Clark journey. It was particularly interesting that the author shed light on early 19th century medicine through the Lewis & Clark journey. Peck made both subjects very interesting, and I felt used a unique and humanistic style of writing in doing so. In reading the book, you feel like you can really identify with those that made the journey, almost as if you're traveling on the journey with them. I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in U.S. History, Adventure and/or Medicine.

Rating:
Summary: Grab this book!
Review: Peck's writing is engaging, compelling, humorous, and very educational. He covers the medical aspects as no one else has. He explores Lewis's suicide in more depth and makes an excellent argument in favor of the suicide theory. He covers the entire expedition; in fact, this book makes a great introduction to this great American adventure. He has extensively footnoted the text, and has some great consultants in his acknowledgements and his research of the subject is extensive. It is a very entertaining read. His passion for the expedition shines through in his writing. I would highly recommend this book to everyone..history buff or not. You will find it hard to put down. It will be the gold standard for this topic.