The book is based on journals and letters written by Lewis, William Clark, Thomas Jefferson and the members of the Corps of Discovery.

The book outlines the expedition in detail including the route, interactions with Native Americans, scientific discoveries, wildlife, and landscape.

[clarification needed] In May 2014, HBO announced plans to produce a six-part miniseries based on the book titled Lewis and Clark.

It starred Casey Affleck as Meriwether Lewis, Matthias Schoenaerts as William Clark, and Tanaya Beatty as Sacagawea, with Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, and Edward Norton as executive producers.

However, production was halted the following August after director John Curran and cinematographer Rob Hardy left the project due to creative differences.