Joseph Kelly (5)

This is one of the best new books about the Jamestown story because Kelly looks at it in a different way than previous authors. He chooses to examine the deserters of the colony (the maroons) to uncover what their behavior tells us about Jamestown leadership. His depiction of John Smith is new and convincing. A chapter on the likely sexual relations between colonists and Indians is also fresh. I've read just about every book about Jamestown and Pocahontas that is still in print, and this show more book deserves more attention. Really, this is one of the good ones, and I would say a must read for Jamestown history buffs.

There are almost no reviews of this book on LibraryThing, but on another similar site (you know which one I mean), some reviewers complain about the author going off on tangents. This is the case, but if you roll with the tangents and appreciate how they tie in, you will be rewarded. For example, Kelly discusses the essay of Montaigne "Of Cannibals" and relates it to English views of the Indians. I may be predisposed to appreciate the French essayist Montaigne, but this connection is worthwhile and I'm glad Kelly made it. show less

"Marooned" turns most of the myths surrounding our founding on their heads. The cruelty of the early 17th Century is hard to bear at times, but hard truths make good lessons. Every serious student of American history should read this book.

Marooned, Jamestown, shipwreck, and a new history of America's origin by Kelly_ Joseph
About the author and a summary of the book.
Starts with the ship and the storm as they are heading west, 1611.
7 ships have left England in 1609 for virginia. Lots of notes that are referenced but not included in this audio tape.
ust want to hear the story-not the notes. So much more it focuses on: shakesphre, JFK, etc
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).