Summary Narrative of an Exploratory Expedition to the Sources of the Mississippi River, in 1820 Resumed and Completed, by the Discovery of its Origin in Itasca Lake, in 1832

"Summary Narrative of an Exploratory Expedition to the Sources of the Mississippi River" by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft is a historical chronicle that recounts journeys to find the Mississippi River's starting point, emphasizing the importance of finding Itasca Lake as the true source. The story gives an overview of the land, nature, and Native American tribes that the group met during their travels. The book starts by explaining how the author was chosen as a mineralogist and geologist for the United States government. It shows how important it was for America to explore new places in the early 1800s, so they could expand their territory and learn about what the land had to offer, as the author describes his travels from Albany to Detroit, highlighting the planning and scientific goals of the exploration, while bringing the landscapes, problems, and interactions with local tribes to life, setting the stage for the detailed stories that follow.