Customer Reviews

Captain Christopher Newport

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A fascinating and belated book! Christopher Newport is much better known in his home country of England than in the nation he helped found 400 years ago. An outstanding and successful privateer in Queen Elizabeth's navy in spite of being one-armed, he led the colonists who settled Jamestown in 1607. Yet even here, in the city named for him, he is a virtual unknown. Unknown that is when compared to John Smith, who of course wrote the books and preferred himself to any other potential hero. As a previous reviewer noted, Bryant Nichols has meticulously researched his subject, and has at last lit Christopher Newport with the spotlight he so richly deserves.

A. Bryant Nichols accurately and descriptively captures the life of Captain Christopher Newport. While reading through history is not generally the easiest of tasks, Nichols' brilliantly written biography walks you through the exciting live of Captain Newport as if it were a novel! As a follower of Captain Newport history I can legitimately say that this book is historically accurate and beautifully written. For anyone who wants to learn the real story of the beginning of America this book is for you! The book not only contains the written adventures of Captain Newport but also contains beautiful artwork and maps that were meticulously supplied by Nichols. This is hands down the best source of information on Captain Newport and coincidently a terrific read. I am impressed.

Before reading this fascinating account by Bryant Nichols, I had no idea who Christopher Newport was. This man was an amazing adventurer who was a pioneer in global trade and was also a legendary privateer who didn't mind crossing swords with enemies of England when asked to by the crown. Nichols' book is well documented, easy to read and full of really interesting facts. For example, Newport and his crew didn't starve when shipwrecked in Bermuda, because a hundred years earlier the Spanish, following their own code of the sea, threw pigs overboard off the shores of Bermuda to be an emergency food supply for future shipwrecked mariners! I never heard that in history class. Perhaps the greatest insight of the book, into the soul of this legendary sea captain, was found in the transcription of Newport's last will and testament, where the reader learns how Newport could and did look death squarely in the eye without fear. Great research, great adventure, great book. I can't wait for the movie!

Most interesting, well researched account of the life of an "Early American", English Admiral, who
rose from the ranks of a commoner, and helped develop the new world. He deserves a much greater recognition
than American history has afforded him. It also helps to know that he may be my 11th great grand father.

Absolutely brilliant. Nichols has accomplished what no other historian has - memorializing the life and achievements of Captain Christopher Newport on paper. Extremely well written, Nichols' prose jumps off the pages and transports the reader to Colonial Virginia. The revelations about Captain Newport's life, struggles, and triumphs are fascinating. I look forward to Nichols' next work - historians such as himself only come along once in a decade!