Jamestown, John Smith, and Pocahontas in American History: (In American History)

In 1607, Captain John Smith and a group of adventurers set out to explore the land around the new Jamestown settlement they were working to establish in Virginia. Along their way, they met tribes of local Indians led by the powerful Chief Powhatan, who ruled an extensive North American empire. Capturing Smith, Powhatan ordered that he be put to death. As Smith's head lay on the execution block, however, the chief's favorite daughter, Pocahontas, rushed forward and placed her own head between Smith and the clubs that were raised to take his life. This would be the first of many times the Indian princess would help the settlers. Author Judith Edwards examines the exciting history of Jamestown, the first permanent British settlement in America. Highlighting the roles of prominent settler John Smith and his Indian ally Pocahontas, Edwards traces the settlement's struggle to fight off famine and disease and to overcome the boiling tensions between the British and the local Indian tribes.

Review :
This book is an excellent summary of the dangers and adventures surrounding the settlement of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America. The book is written in "chapter book" format and reads like a story. The author has included many black-and-white photographs, maps, and drawings. A concise timeline, reference books, web sites, and an index are included as well. "Source Documents" that are the actual writings of John Smith (from a journal) and other Jamestown residents give us insights about the feelings and reactions these people had to the events as they occurred. Many details are given about the arrival of the first three ships, the people onboard the ships, and their struggle to find a suitable site to begin their settlement. The early settlers had many problems--lack of leadership, famine, Indian attacks, and pressures from England. John Smith is depicted as one of the only strong leaders in the early development of Jamestown. The story of the relationship between John Smith and the Indian princess, Pocahontas is told. The importance of Pocahontas to the temporary peace between the natives and the settlers is also included. Although Jamestown struggled, it grew into a bustling town until it was burned during Bacon's Rebellion. The author visits today's Jamestown and tells what visitors to the site can do to experience a bit of the history there. Part of the "In American History" series., Children's Literature