Journals
What is Journals about?
The Journals of Alexander Mackenzie document two extraordinary expeditions through unmapped North American wilderness. In 1789, Mackenzie followed the river that bears his name from Great Slave Lake to the Arctic Ocean. In 1793, he made the first European crossing of North America north of Mexico, traversing the Rocky Mountains to reach the Pacific coast—twelve years before Lewis and Clark. The journals record encounters with First Nations peoples, the hardships of overland travel, and the vast, wild landscapes of Canada’s interior.
Main themes in Journals
Exploration journals
The presence of exploration journals in Journals connects readers to its enduring relevance.
Arctic expedition
In Journals, arctic expedition provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Pacific crossing
In Journals, pacific crossing provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Canadian wilderness
The presence of canadian wilderness in Journals connects readers to its enduring relevance.
Why Journals is still relevant today
Mackenzie’s Journals are essential documents of North American exploration, recording the first European transcontinental crossing north of Mexico.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Journals about?
Mackenzie’s expeditions to the Arctic Ocean (1789) and across the Rockies to the Pacific (1793)—the first European transcontinental crossing.
Are they readable for non-historians?
Yes, the accounts of wilderness travel, encounters, and discovery are vivid and engaging.
How do they compare to Lewis and Clark?
Mackenzie’s crossings predated Lewis and Clark by 12 years, through equally challenging terrain.
Can I read them free?
Yes, the complete journals are available free on TextStack.