Sources of the River

Tracking David Thompson Across Western North America

By: Jack Nisbet

Narrated by: Chris Abernathy

The awe-inspiring story of explorer David Thompson, whose expeditions helped shape western North America

In this true story of adventure, author Jack Nisbet recreates the life and times of David Thompson—fur trader, explorer, surveyor, and mapmaker. From 1784 to 1812, Thompson explored western North America, and his field journals provide the earliest written accounts of the natural history and indigenous cultures of the what is now British Columbia, Alberta, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. Thompson was the first person to chart the entire route of the Columbia river, and his wilderness expeditions have become the stuff of legend.

Jack Nisbet tracks the explorer across the continent, interweaving his own observations with Thompson's historical writings. The result is a fascinating story of two men discovering the Northwest territory almost two hundred years apart.

©1994, 2007 Jack Nisbet (P)2023 Tantor

Learn Something New

This was a fascinating biography of David Thompson. The author interrupts the narrative occasionally to give the reader a look at some of the modern implications of Thompson's work, through personal narratives. These add great color to the story. The author tells the story from native peoples' perspective as well. You may find yourself longing to cross Athabaska Pass on foot in the winter or sew cedar planks into a canoe.

Great book and narration

Jack Nisbet presents the exploits of David Thompson in the upper Columbia River country in an elegant and digestible manner. He expertly weaves his personal experiences into the narrative to provide the reader/listener with modern day context as well. The narration is solid as well and sets a great overall tone for the book.