(2) 4-6 In 1893, Fridtjof Nansen, a Norwegian Renaissance man and Nobel Peace Prize winner, tried (unsuccessfully) to become the first person to reach the North Pole. The harrowing Arctic journey--documented here through black-and-white photographs, line drawings, and journal entries--became legendary. Lourie provides an intriguing portrait of the man and a worthwhile and absorbing account of his journey. Timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Wendell Minor. This is a well-researched account of Jack London's 1897–98 adventures during the Klondike Gold Rush, after which he returned to California with little gold but a wealth of writing material. In notes, Lourie admits he's "taken a few liberties" in crafting the compelling wildnerness narrative, which is enhanced by archival photographs and Minor's evocative illustrations. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(2) 4-6 Scientists in the Field series. Lourie takes us to Alaska to observe biologists researching a subpopulation of polar bears, then to the lab to see the care taken to properly process and store the data. Interspersed are commentaries from the project directors, who analyze the data and publicize the results. Crisp photographs convey the massive size of the animals and the details of the equipment needed to do research in such extreme conditions. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2012

(2) 4-6 Scientists in the Field series. Scientists Fernando Rosas (Brazil), John Reynolds (Florida), and Lucy Keith (West Africa) investigate manatees in the field and in captivity. The text captures not only the science and politics of animal conservation but also the scientists' dedication. Telling much of the story are Lourie's many photographs of the manatees in their habitats and people interacting with the creatures. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2011

(2) 4-6 Scientists in the Field series. Whale biologist Craig George works with the Inupiaq community documenting the bowhead whale population and Inupiaq hunts. Lourie conveys George's thoughts on living in such an extreme region and explains his path to becoming a biologist. Numerous photographs capture the piercing whites, grays, and blues of Alaska in the sunny spring as well as the bloody work of taking apart a whale. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2010

(3) 4-6 Lourie presents a summary of the nearly eight years Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca spent in Texas and Mexico after storms, violence, and hunger beset his crew near. The author interweaves his research and travels with history drawn from de Vaca's written accounts. Readers are also introduced to scholars who assisted with the author's research. Photographs, maps, drawings, and sidebars extend the text. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Lourie made three trips to the Arctic to witness and document the effects of global warming, which in Barrow, Alaska, particularly affects the Iñupiaq whaling tradition. The text demonstrates the people's adaptive ways, balanced with harsh scientific and anthropological realities brought about by climate change. Striking photographs, many taken by Lourie, support the text. "What You Can Do" is appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Lourie observes modern archaeologists in Mexico City uncovering the ancient Aztec cities of Tenochtitlan and Teotihuacan. Blending his own observations with such accounts as Hernán Cortés's victory over Moctezuma II, Lourie contextualizes Aztec practices such as human sacrifice. A clear map and photographs (of ancient ruins and pictures, modern scientists and digital reconstructions) augment the text. Websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 Readers join Lourie and archaeologist Gwinn Vivian on a tour of the Chaco Canyon region in New Mexico to explore some of the mysteries of the ancient Anasazi people. The fluid and highly personal narrative moves freely from one topic to another. Both text and photos convey Lourie's enthusiasm for the topic and may send readers on to other, more thorough books. Reading list. Ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 4-6 Beginning in Omaha, the author and three friends travel the Missouri River to its source, following the path of Lewis and Clark. Maps and archival illustrations accompany the text, which is enhanced with excerpts from Lewis's and Clark's journals. Lourie's captioned color photos illustrate the book, and the prologue, epilogue, and author's notes further inform the reader. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 In a first-person travelogue, Lourie explores the history, geography, and modern life of a land that few of us will visit. His obvious enthusiasm and storytelling ability make this a pleasure to read. Striking color photos from Lourie's visit show the modern region, and black-and-white archival photos and drawings document the historical segments. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: M. Jean Greenlaw

(3) 4-6 Following, with his family, the trail Lewis and Clark took in 1804, Lourie describes what he finds and the ways in which their journey differs from what historians know about the original expedition. The personal approach makes the material accessible, and the clear photographs, both snapshots of Lourie's family and a few historical photographs, convey the spirit of the journey.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 4-6 Lourie describes his journey into the rainforest with archaeologist Ed Barnhart and his crew, a group rediscovering the lost Mayan city of Palenque. The text reads like a journal and is supplemented by color snapshots of Lourie's trip. Readers interested in Palenque's history may be disappointed--the book is more Lourie's recording the story of his experience than "uncovering the lost city." Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Mary R. Holt

(4) 4-6 Lourie explores the entire Mississippi River by canoe, bike, car, and foot. A lively travelogue format allows him to combine accounts of the Mississippi's role in American history with descriptions of people and places associated with the river today. The transitions between past and present usually work seamlessly but are occasionally abrupt. The text is illustrated with color photos.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire

(3) 4-6 In this photo-essay, Lourie follows the Rio Grande's 1,885-mile course to the sea, and provides thumbnail sketches of the history that transpired along its banks; Pueblo village life, silver mining, Billy the Kid, Pancho Villa, the Mexican-American War, and current border tensions are among the topics covered. Handsome color photos are interspersed with archival black-and-white photos.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen

(3) 4-6 Legend has it that 750 tons of gold, amassed as ransom to free the Inca Sun King from the Spanish, lie hidden in the fog-shrouded mountains of Ecuador. Lourie covers the history involved before describing his own unsuccessful treasure-hunting trip. A historical text indicating the gold's location is included along with color photos and maps. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam