From School Library Journal
Grade 8-10 Loker uses recent scholarship and Smith's own writings to create a portrait of this legendary figure. He opens with the famous scene in which Pocahontas saved Smith, and then traces the man's life, beginning with his childhood thirst for adventure, devoting almost half of the book to recounting his extensive travels in Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. The remainder of the book summarizes Britain's explorations in the New World and looks at Smith's experiences in Jamestown, concluding that his actions and leadership provided the bond that held the struggling colony together. Loker is generally admiring of Smith, stressing his bravery and skills, but also describing his flaws. Illustrations include color reproductions of period art and maps and contemporary maps of Smith's journeys. This is an adequate examination of the man and his legacy, but it is not as well written as Kieran Doherty's To Conquer Is to Live: The Life of Captain John Smith of Jamestown (21st Century Bks, 2001), which uses many of the same sources, provides more historical context, and is more focused on Smith's experiences in Virginia. Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
