 While most of the book is dedicated to the expedition, several chapters are also devoted to Lewis's early life as a Virginia planter and Jefferson's personal secretary, and his later life as governor of the Louisiana Territory before his untimely death in 1809.The book outlines the expedition in detail including the route, interactions with Native Americans, scientific discoveries, wildlife, and landscape.As a biography, the book is focused entirely on Lewis, and Clark, Sacagawea and the others are addressed principally in their interactions with Lewis.