David J. Peck

“SO HARD to DIE” is the result of Drs. David and Marti Peck’s deep interest in the life of Meriwether Lewis and the epic expedition that he co-commanded in 1803-1806. David’s first book, OR PERISH IN THE ATTEMPT-THE HARDSHIP AND MEDICINE of the LEWIS and CLARK EXPEDITION (Bison Books/University of Nebraska Press 2011), has achieved a status as the authoritative work on this subject and was recently produced into a film documentary for Montana PBS. (The reader may view it online-search for the title + PBS) The Drs. Peck now combine their careers as a physician and a psychologist/psychoanalyst to address the controversy of suicide vs. murder that swirls around Lewis’s mysterious death at age 35 from multiple gunshots. Originally reported as a suicide, numerous authors have attempted to make their cases explaining Lewis’s death, citing various diseases (malaria, syphilis, mercury poisoning), as contributing factors. Many have also ignored or denied Lewis’s alcohol abuse that was reported near the time of his death. William Clark’s letter detailing Lewis’s emotional depression is either minimized or ignored by several past authors. David and Marti Peck fully analyze each of these theories and explore the cultural, religious and world views of the key players in this story, using their academic and clinical careers in medicine and psychology. Many physicians and psychologists have praised this work as authoritative and a superb study of Lewis’s life and death. Their comments can be viewed in the “preview” of the Kindle version. Having spent many great moments during my life along the Lewis & Clark trail in western Montana, I infused my passion for this story with my knowledge and experience in medicine, producing my book, OR PERISH IN THE ATTEMPT in 2002 and then teamed up with my wife Marti, in 2021 to address Lewis’s death. I am proud that OR PERISH has received praise from sources as diverse as The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), to Alaska Airlines magazine and 5-star ratings from my Amazon readers. Thank you all! We are hopeful and confident that our new book SO HARD to DIE” will receive equal if not greater acceptance. Visit our website: www.lewisandclarkmedicine.com for much more information about this great story! We may be reached at lewisclarkmed@gmail.com