The Journals of Captain John Smith: A Jamestown Biography

John Smith

National Geographic Books, 2007 - Biography & Autobiography - 229 pages

Drawing from Smith's own personal journals, this concise biography paints a rich and detailed portrait of one of America's most intriguing founding fathers. Historian John Thompson guides us through annotated selections of Smith's most important and compelling writings, adding authoritative perspective and commentary to round out the picture. The volume includes some of the earliest primary source accounts of life in colonial Virginia, including excerpts from Proceedings of the English Colony of Virginia (1612), Generall Historie of Virginia (1624), and The True Adventures and Observations of Captain John Smith (1630).

Readers share eyewitness accounts of Smith's capture and imprisonment by the Indians, his explorations of the Chesapeake Bay region, and various other adventures and exploits in the New World. We get a firsthand look at Smith's pivotal role in the founding and governance of colonial Jamestown and his attempts to establish trade relationships with the Native Americans. We also learn the real facts behind Smith's relationship with Pocahontas—an American legend that pervades our popular culture, from the animated Disney classic to the critically acclaimed 2005 film starring Colin Farrell.

With the upcoming 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, a whole new generation of readers and history buffs will be seeking more information about Smith and his fellow colonists. This lively, illustrated edition will be a valuable resource—providing a fresh, accessible look at a key historical figure and conveying a vivid sense of what life in the New World was like.

Contents

• INTO THE LAND OF POCAHONTAS: 1
• Smith BECOMES A WEROWANCE: 29
• FIRST CHESAPEAKE VOYAGE: 43
• SECOND CHESAPEAKE VOYAGE: 61
• President John Smith: 89
• PowHATAN THE SUBTLE SAVAGE: 109
• THE COUP AGAINST SMITH: 135
• JAMESTOWN WITHOUT Smith: 165
• Afterword: 211
• Index: 223

About the author

Captain John Smith (1580-1631) was a founding member and, later, president of the governing council of the Jamestown settlement. He was the first to explore and map the Chesapeake Bay region and to establish trade relations with the Native Americans.

John Thompson is the author of nine National Geographic books, including America's Historic Trails, The Revolutionary War, and Our National Parks. His assignments have taken him to almost every state in the country and have covered a wide range of natural and historical subjects. Thompson lives in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Journals of Captain John Smith: A Jamestown Biography; Adventure classics; National Geographic adventure classics
• Author: John Smith
• Editor: John Milliken Thompson
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: National Geographic Books, 2007
• ISBN: 1426200552, 9781426200557
• Length: 229 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Historical; History / United States / Colonial Period (1600-1775)