  In this paper, we show how general determinants may be viewed as generating
functions of nonintersecting lattice paths, using the
Lindstr\"om-Gessel-Viennot interpretation of semistandard Young tableaux and
the Jacobi-Trudi identity together with elementary observations. After some
preparations, this point of view provides very simple "graphical proofs" for
classical determinantal identities like the Cauchy--Binet formula, Dodgson's
condensation formula, the Pl\"ucker relations and Laplace's expansion. Also, a
determinantal identity generalizing Dodgson's condensation formula is
presented, which might be new.
