that's what i like about him. >> what do you think of jedediah smith? eric: i think he is a great character. i don't know some of the back story. i know there are various theories about his background and what he actually did out there. purely from an exploratory perspective, i think he is a giant in the history of the fur trade. he seems to be a man of high character and integrity. when you read his letters to his family, he is somewhat selfless. he was dependable. his peers liked him. most importantly for me, what i focused on in the book is how he had the bravery to go where no one had gone before. he is like captain kirk. he liked going places and exploring as much as he did gathering pelts. >> if his map had survived, he'd be the most famous of western explorers. eric: i think you're right. i think the same could be said for many mountain men. they went to their graves without sharing their information. in particular, jedediah smith. he was killed by the comanches. everything he knew died with him. history is written by the winners. john poulter is