Benoit, Peter. The
Jamestown Colony. Scholastic/Grolier 64p $21.05 978-0-531-23058-9 2013 elm/ms E-BNS series: Cornerstones of Freedom Nonfiction
Presenting the background events surrounding the founding
of the first permanent British colony in North America, this title from the Cornerstones
of Freedom series has an intimate feel about it. The scene is set and earlier contacts with
North America are summarized before the text explains why the Virginia Company
was formed. Many
of the problems associated with founding a
colony are detailed.
Most of the colonists were gentlemen looking for easy
gold, and they were not prepared for the
inadequacies of the chosen location, the difficult relations
with the native peoples, and the squabbles among the leaders.
The struggles of the early years, before the settlement was finally firmly established, are described in detail. The text discusses how, in the first few years, the settlement was decimated by disease, famine, and periodic Indian attacks. Finally, there were enough tradespeople to maintain the settlement, and the initial governmental structure provided the basis for the structure of the United States.
The book conveys this history through text, illustrations, photographs, maps and engravings. Text blocks provide glimpses into some of the personalities involved, and suggest searching out primary sources. There are one-paragraph biographies identifying important historical individuals, a timeline, a list of primary sources available from the publisher-sponsored web site, and a list of books for further information. A glossary is included, and the index is very detailed.
This title provides a great deal of
information in a compact text that is inviting for readers. It would be enjoyable for the casual student, while at the same time providing sufficient detail for
the student preparing a research report.
Jamestown
Colony-History --Joan
Theal
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