The Virginia Adventure: Roanoke to James Towne: An Archaeological and Historical Odyssey

by Ivor Noël Hume

Book Overview

For thirty-five years, as writer, lecturer, and chief archaeologist at Colonial Williamsburg, Ivor Noel Hume has enlivened for us the material culture of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century America.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394564464
• ISBN13: 9780394564463
• Release Date: September 1994
• Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group
• Length: 491 Pages
• Weight: 3.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.7" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

making history come alive

I am not an historian and primarily bought this book because I was confused by my children's elementary school's lessons on Jamestown. Well, this book was a fascinating trip - gives great insight into the whole turn of the 17th century era as well as a "never will be found in elementary school textbooks" look at the beginnings of the US, and true aspirations and difficulties of the English adventurers. With his dry wit and acceptance of human shortcomings, Mr. Hume managed to make the journey, even when macabre and disillusioning, enjoyable. Details and difficulties of the archeology are put into the context of both the original settlers and the archeologists of the past century.

The Virginia Adventure

One of the best resources for preparing for the forthcoming quadricentenary of the founding of Jamestowne. A must-read to learn about the genesis of our American culture and history.

A James Towne Reading Experience

I purchased this book when on site at Jamestown. The ranger who gave us the tour of the park said that this was the best book on the subject of Jamestown. My guess is that he was probably right. This is a well researched account of the first efforts of the British to colonize Virginia.Probably the most interesting aspect of the book is the relationship between the colonists and the natives. I would describe the relationship as one of cunning and deceit on both sides. The governing of James Fort was largely inept.Some characters made famous by Disney meet their demise, and there is a fair treatment of Pocohantas. There are a couple of portraits of Pocohantas, described as "no fayre lady." The book is well illustrated.The predominant them in this historical treatise on Jamestown, is the search for James Fort. It seems the prevailing opinion was that its foundations now lay under the river. This is proved to be only one-third true.At times, history books can be dry and boring. Hume makes the characters come alive. Quotation and citation of source documents is frequent. This book is comprehensive and would be a wonderful starting point for any student of James Fort and the settlement. I enjoyed it very much.