You’ll love this insight then:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pqFyKh-rUI
One of the most fascinating parts of the book for me was their frank discussion of the Indians as a fallen people. Their morality was situational and very often immoral (prostituting young girls to the whites, stealing, etc.)
It also showed that Sacajawea, though important, wasn’t desperately critical to their mission as purported by modern feminist scholars. I didn’t come away feeling that she was extraneous (she did save his papers during the flash flood), just simply not the central character in the adventure. The fact that she traveled pregnant and had the baby en route was very impressive. I feel that the feminists want to ‘man’ her up, instead of recognizing the amazing things she did while fully expressing her femininity.
I got the audio recording and we listened to it in the car as we did family stuff. My kids loved it.
As to Sacajawea...I had - I'll admit - some "expectations" when first reading the book about her, her "heroics" and her abilities.
What I came away with was an Indian woman "married" to a white guy who didn't go out of his way to treat her "kindly" (in fact, Lewis upbraided the guy for slapping her around), but treated her in very much the fashion of his time.
As to the pregnancy and having the baby while on the trek; apparently, this was pretty much the norm as well, for when the tribes "took to the road", the pregnant women went along, worked, contributed, and had their babies as required (I think this must have happened to the Hebrews during their wanderings, yes!!??).
For absolutely sure, a very fascinating tale. Makes me realize that I am not nearly tough enough to make such a trek....not even close! And...I'm nowhere as good a writer!
I'm really glad your kids are - or got a chance to - enjoy it as well.