Atlantic Virginia: Intercolonial Relations in the Seventeenth Century [Hardcover]

April Lee Hatfield (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2003

Through networks of trails and rivers inland and established ocean routes across the seas, seventeenth-century Virginians were connected to a vibrant Atlantic world. They routinely traded with adjacent Native Americans and received ships from England, the Netherlands, and other English and Dutch colonies, while maintaining less direct connections to Africa and to French and Spanish colonies. Their Atlantic world emerged from the movement of goods and services, but trade routes quickly became equally important in the transfer of people and information. Much seventeenth-century historiography, however, still assumes that each North American colony operated as a largely self-contained entity and interacted with other colonies only indirectly, through London. By contrast, in Atlantic Virginia, historian April Lee Hatfield demonstrates that the colonies actually had vibrant interchange with each other and with peoples throughout the hemisphere, as well as with Europeans.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hatfield explains the importance of intercolonial trade to Virginia as well as its transatlantic connections through English and Dutch Traders... Hatfield's greatest contribution, however, is her persuasive argument that Virginians' contact with other colonies fundamentally shaped the way they created the institution of slavery."--Journal of American History "This is an important book. Hatfield has made a significant contribution not only to the history of early Virginia but also to early British America."--James Horn, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation "An example of how to approach colonial history. Historians would be wise to study it carefully."--American Historical Review

About the Author

April Lee Hatfield is Associate Professor of History at Texas AandM University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press (December 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812237579
• ISBN-13: 978-0812237573
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,445,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well Researched, A Little Dry, Unique Perspective, October 13, 2010

By 

C. H. "flyer" (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Atlantic Virginia: Intercolonial Relations in the Seventeenth Century (Hardcover)

I purchased this book as a reference for my research on early American emigrants, as I am writing a book of my own. The information contained in Atlantic Virginia is great, much of it seems to be original, and it is carefully laid out. That said, I will have to say that I can only get through a few pages at a time, as it is written in a very scholarly manner. Unfortunately, my schedule is such that I have to read at night before bed, and this work does a pretty good job of lulling me to sleep. Still, it does provide detailed and frankly fascinating insight into colonial life (once you get past the dry presentation), and it is the best chronicle I've read on the movement of goods and individuals between the American colonies of the 17th century. I would recommend it to persons interested not only in early Virginia, but to those studying other colonies, especially New England, Maryland, and the Carolinas, and those wanting to learn about New World commerce, shipping, and settlement.

0 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Atlantic Virginia, May 2, 2009

By 

S. Ali (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Atlantic Virginia: Intercolonial Relations in the Seventeenth Century (Paperback)

The book was in good condition, with minor writing which was stated. It took longer than expected to come in, however i was told the book was sent on time but i guess it was just a delivery issue..