The Double Life of Pocahontas

Well researched and interesting. I was dissatisfied with the treatment of the famous Indian princess for two reasons. First, although Fritz clearly did her homework, the line between fact and speculation was blurred because of the lack of direct quotes from primary source material. I realize the target audience, but I think more quotations would have been helpful and not too much for a young audience to manage. Second, the constant speculation was tiresome after the first few pages. (Perhaps she thought... Maybe she wanted... and so on.) These speculations made the book an ample length, but detracted from the quality of the book. It appeared as though the speculations were partly an attempt to reconcile actions of a person in a show more different time (for example, rejecting one's religion and culture for another) with modern day sensibilities. Overall, I was disappointed with the book. The bibliography was fine, and probably the most valuable place to begin looking for those primary sources that are most valuable. Compare with Pocahontas book by Mari Hanes, who wrote from a Christian perspective. show less

Another never-read book from my elementary school days. "The Double Life" is a semi-novelised biography of Pocahontas that presents her life from the arrival of the Jamestown settlers to her death in England, written at such a level as to prepare YA readers to make the transition from fictionalised biographies to more academic histories. Definitely recommended as a good, non-Disney-fied introduction to both this important personality and time period of American history.

To be honest, when I was a child I probably would not have liked this. I'm 49 and have never learned anything about Pocahontas, not even the 'legend' that Fritz explains away in this book, so I figured a carefully researched & written children's book would be a good source for me. And it was. It was nothing whatsoever like the other Fritz I'd just read, [b:And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?|427325|And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?|Jean Fritz|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1311705094s/427325.jpg|416347], which is a good thing. [a:Ed Young|15420|Ed Young|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-M-50x66-88f044bbc71480ca4e6dee980381ec7a.jpg]'s pix were wonderful & apt.

Unlike Disney, Fritz gives more in depth information about the real life of Pocahontas. Since she had no journal of her experiences, most of the literature comes from John Smith, her lover. Like the movie, Pocahontas saves John Smith from death but in the book, it is mentioned that sh adopts him into her tribe. As tensions between the settlers and the Indians heighten, Smith decides to go back to London. Pocahontas is torned and decides to follow him to London as well. I feel that the book should only be read by mature young readers who can understand the events that happened between the Indians and the settlers. Overall, great book!

This book is full of information about the Indian world, and Pocahontas living in it. We get an in depth look at Christopher Columbus, ships coming to mainland, growth of Indian culture, and the over all life of Pocahontas.

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