Customer Reviews: Read 23 more reviews...
 Do read it, but not up to his usual standard July 19, 2008
I heard Mr. Horwitz speak a few years ago. He mentioned that he was working on a book about the travels of De Soto. In the source section of this book, he mentions that he enough research on De Soto for three volumes. I suspect that he originally intended to have a book dedicated solely to De Soto and his travels, similar to Captain James Cook in Blue Latitudes. As the book developed, he and his editors thought it best to expand it to the breadth of discovery of North America. The result is somewhat a jumble. There is not the continuity you find in his other books. Chapter to chapter cover different subjects, and are disjointed. He tries to tie it together in a unified theme in the last chapter, but it does not really work.
The initial sections about Vineland and Columbus are a drag to get through. Instead of the usual observations about the current cultures and attitudes of the areas explored, these chapters mainly complain about the bugs, weather, crowds, or lack of crowds. The chapters in the Dominican Republic suffer, I think, because he does not know Spanish. He was not able utilize his greatest gift; effortlessly engaging in conversation with the local population, making them feel comfortable and unthreatened, and capturing their unguarded feelings and reflections.
The sections about Roanoke and Jamestown are the best in the book. These have the good balance between recounting the history and modern reflections that made his other books so great.
Never the less, I would recommend anyone read this, or any of Horwitz's books.
 Fascinating journey of European contact with America up until the Mayflower July 12, 2008
This is a great overview of the period that starts with the Vikings settling un the east coast of Canada until the arrival of the Mayflower and the "pilgrims". It is well narrated odyssey that is both interesting and educational. The author immerses the listener in a world that we have perhaps forgotten even though its remains are still visible today. You will look at the continental US and all of America different after going through this book.
Excellent Service July 7, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Excellent and prompt service. Delivered to Ireland within days in mint condition. Thank you Amazon.
The real American history July 1, 2008
Horwitz spends three years traveling to the sites of early explorers and settlers who were in the Americas 100 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. Plymouth Rock or PR was long considered the birthplace of America, Horwitz shows that other places, especially Florida, can easily claim the title.
Excellent history - Excellent Read June 27, 2008
Tony Horwitz asks the very simple question - "What happened in North America between Columbus and the Pilgrims?" - a 128 year interlude that seems strangely ignored - and then searches out the answer. Along the way he also searches out where, why, and by whom it is still remembered. A very funny book as a bit of travel writing (think Bill Bryson) and slice of present day Americana, and a very solid primer on the explorations and settlement of North America before the Pilgrims came and claimed to be the first.
It's not quite as good as Horwitz's book "Confederates in the Attic" - but that book sets a very high bar indeed. (If you've never read it, read that one first.) But a solid and enjoyable effort all around.
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