A man of much integrity, as was Captain John Smith, is often beset with frustrations and trials of many kinds, which jealous and unscrupulous malefactors, little men, perpetuate upon such 'big' men. With great fortitude that appears to have been magically inbred into his natural DNA, Smith became a man of many great talents, often forged out of the necessity of survival. He literally battled his way through life with many splatterings and smatterings of blood, guts and gore strewn in his wake. Those with strong stomaches will read this with keen interest.
This biography by R. E. Pritchard, sees Smith as a soldier, slave, pirate, food supplier/negotiator; president/governor/admiral; cartographer and author. "Adventurer," however, sums it all up.
Generally speaking, Pritchard, the author of the book, Captain John Smith, Adventurer, relies heavily upon Smith's own considerable writings, with forays into others' works, of the life and times of Smith (1580-1631). Parts of the book were difficult to get through, perhaps a bit too heavy with details but then would come portions that kept one's attention.
All-in-all, the reading of this book gives excellent documentation of the history of the advance for "building of a colony," showing brave, but often some arrogant and naive, men, who sallied forth from England to the New World of Jamestown, Virginia. Smith, through Pritchard, relates the accounts in more 'accurate' detail than we are wont to get from movies and children's books and will rectify some of our incorrectly conceived 'knowledge' and views on such issues as who and what Pocahontas was and accomplished; and of conflicts and interactions between white man vs Indian; and so on.
Captian John Smith, Adventurer, would have been a man I'd have been pleased to know. So strong and steadfast even in his 'rough' sort of way; a true man. He gave many loyal years of service to king, country and pioneer town, despite unjust treatment, and to the "breaking ground in satisfaction" for the benefit of others.
~Eunice C. - Reviewer/Blogger~
July 2021
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy I received from the publisher.
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https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4143492626?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
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