Pocahontas, Captain John Smith
Pocahontas, Captain John Smith
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Pocahontas
My Own Story

Author: Captain John Smith

Narrator: Jonathan Reese

Unabridged: 2 hr 51 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 10/20/2008

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included

Synopsis

In the early seventeenth century, Captain John Smith led a company of English settlers to found the colony of Jamestown in Virginia. Here is Smith's own account of his adventures there and his relationship with the beautiful Indian princess, Pocahontas.

Pocahontas was the daughter of Powhatan, the powerful chief of about thirty tribes of Indians living in Virginia. When Captain John Smith was captured by these Indians in 1607, he was brought before Powhatan, who sentenced him to death. Sixteen-year-old Pocahontas convinced her father to spare Captain Smith's life, thus becoming a friend of the settlers and eventually influencing her father to be friendly, too. Years later, she saved the lives of the entire colony by secretly warning Captain Smith of another intended attack.

About Captain John Smith

Captain John Smith (1580–1631), an English soldier, sailor, and author, is best known for his excellent leadership in the Jamestown, Virginia, colony's early years. He arrived at Jamestown still imprisoned for dissent during the voyage and was eventually released. While exploring the Chickahominy River region, he was captured by Powhatan in December 1607. Chief Powhatan, the supreme leader in the Chesapeake region, released Smith after Powhatan's favorite daughter, Pocahontas, intervened. Shortly after, Smith became president of the council in the colony and orchestrated such improvements as expanding the settlement around the fort and repairing many buildings.

Smith remained in Virginia until fall 1609, when he sailed back to England. Smith was instrumental in disseminating knowledge about Virginia, publishing such works as True Relation of Virginia in 1608, Map of Virginia in 1612, Generall Historie of Virginia beginning in 1624 (there were six editions in eight years), and True Travels in 1630. While his writing contains important factual information about Virginia as it was when inhabited only by Indians, Smith is also noted for embellishing his stories with boasts and conceit.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Tammy

The sections seemed disjointed, but it is pretty amazing to read the first person account of John Smith's interactions with the Powhatan people 300 years ago. I'm pretty sure that most people aren't aware that Pocahontas was kidnapped and held hostage. I'm not judging. The settlers had reasons for t......more

Goodreads review by Erin Entrada

Interesting for its historical value (which has an obvious agenda), though very little is about Pocahontas. And John Smith obviously has a colonialist mentality and slant. So it should be read with that understanding and context.......more

Goodreads review by Amy

Very little of this narrative was by John Smith and very little of it was about Pocahontas. This is definitely among the more dry pieces of colonial literature out there ... except for the few sentences covering cannibalism.......more

Goodreads review by Jon

My problem with this narrative is that it should be titled - John Smith: My Own Story. Still a fascinating look into agendized history.......more

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