New World Burning [Paperback]

Daniel Watkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2005

New World Burning is the powerful saga of Philip Corstair, an enthusiastic young carpenters apprentice from England, who makes the harrowing journey across the Atlantic as an indentured servant to the New World in 1650. Over a time that covers a colorful cast of characters, the impossible dream of owning land in Virginia comes to wonderful fruition with the love of his wife, and a family of English and adopted Indian children. But then his hard earned success runs a collision course with Nathaniel Bacons Rebellion. This is the story of a well-meaning former indenture, who can't help but get caught in these terrible events as they unfold. Events that produced the demise of indentured labor, and then introduction of large-scale, life-long African slavery.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...exuberantly captures the raw flavor of colonial America... a tale as entertaining as it is informative." -- Loch Raven Review

"...triumphs...it seizes the reader with a vigor and immediacy unusual for historical fiction." -- Clarion Reviews

A combustilble mix of genius and insanity. -- Kirkus Discoveries

About the Author

Daniel Watkins is a professional actor turned writer. In his former life as a performer he appeared on Broadway in shows as diverse as Jesus Christ Superstar and Amadeus. He has also written plays and screen plays. New World Burning is his second novel. The first, called The Soapwriter, is a send-up on the reality TV of politics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 439 pages
• Publisher: Two Mountains Publishing (November 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976806509
• ISBN-13: 978-0976806509
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,729,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars New World Burning, April 30, 2007

By 

George Maguire "Professor" (Solano College, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New World Burning (Paperback)

Mr. Watkins has written an historical novel painting a searing and fascinating look at a part of the Jamestown story, which has not been properly explored. The remarkable generation AFTER Pocanontas, John Smith and John Rolfe becomes alive in a well researched and exciting portrait of America, as she teetered in withdraw from England, slavery (both black and white),the rights of the Native tribes, and the internecine struggles of those who later would be called "Americans". Young Philip Corstair, an indentured servant is leaving England in 1650 filled with the vivid hopes for life in a new world. Mr.Watkins' remarkable novel takes us on a journey of power and pain as young Philip fights his way through the horrors of battles and disease, and the enormous loss of love. This wonderful novel is a must read not just for history lovers, but for romantics at heart. It has been a popular addition to the SCC library.

5.0 out of 5 stars I came upon this book by chance and was hooked from the first sentence on., July 31, 2006

By 

David Counts "David" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New World Burning (Paperback)

The beauty of historical novels if well written and researched, which this one most certainly is, is the manner in which they transform the dry brute facts of history into compelling stories which inspire and transport the reader's imagination into a time and place not of their own. Daniel Watkins brings to life Virginia circa 1676 with all it's new world strangeness and fascinating characters-both real and imagined-with his first novel New World Burning. The two main characters Philip Corstair (a product of Watkin's imagination) and Nathaniel Bacon (a product of Watkin's obvious extensive research) are compelling, engaging and wonderfully tragic. Interestingly enough, the apocalyptic chaos of an exceptionally violent moment in early American history brought about by the consequences of self-serving political maneuverings and in which Watkin's writing so skillfully brings to life has contemporary parallels with respect to current political machinations. My only disappointment with New World Burning came when I finished the last page and had to put it down. At that point I was rudely thrust back into the 21st century and found myself once again in my apartment with a carpet that badly needs cleaning and away from the beautifully strange and interesting world I found myself engaged with while reading this book. I highly recommend it.

5.0 out of 5 stars New World Burning by Daniel Watkins, June 27, 2006

By 

Kurt Corwin "History Buff" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New World Burning (Paperback)

I found "New World Burning" to be intriguing and insightful. It's a fascinating and informative fictional analysis of an under appreciated but extremely powerful event in Early American history. Watkins is a superb story teller, and surprise ending is an unexpected treat!