This book is subtitled "Concerning a Vermont Gentleman's Race to the Pacific Against and Exploration of the Western American Continent Coincident to the Expedition of Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark."

Private True Kinneson is a Vermonter through and through. He fought with than Allan at Fort Ticonderoga, where unfortunately his head was bashed in. He has a copper plate in his head and is "not quite right" any more. True lives with his brother's family and dedicates himself to the education of Ticonderoga (his nephew). Ti learns to write, sing, make scientific observations, and becomes an outstanding artist.

When True hears of Jefferson's plans to send an expedition across the continent, he believes that he is the person most suited to lead it, and he leaves to meet the President. He is careful to pack both his marijuana and his chain mail. When Ti chases after him, the story becomes an American version of Don Quixote, with Ti as Sancho Panza.

In fact, the overt allusions to Don Quixote are the book's only missteps I felt like screaming at the author "I get it already! I don't need to be told again!" In style, the book reminded me of Colson Whitehead. While the first two chapters do drag a bit, it's fun, weird and wonderful.