There are so many myths surrounding John Smith - and if you have ever watched the Disney movie, Pocahontas, then you know there there are several that have been expounded even further.
John Smith might have been an enigma in his time, but he did not fall in love with Pocahontas (she would have been around 11 at the time). He did, however, lead a very full and active life. There are not many who could have accomplished what he did, but he had the tenacity and the drive to push limits and build onto something greater.

The author pulled quite a bit from the writings of John Smith himself, which not only gives an insight into how his mind and thought processes worked, but also gives an unbiased (relatively) look into the life and adventures that he undertook.

I loved reading through this book! It is one that I plan to add to my reading list for my college students - it would be the perfect material for a book review assignment!

John Smith ha a story worth telling. First the scope of his deeds is explained with a historical leaning which makes the reader understand what had gone on in the past to bring about the conditions he was experiencing. As someone who has ties to the colony in Virginia I felt it important to read this excellent and superbly written book. Some of my favorite reading was the descriptions of the wars in Europe that sent the people west in droves. I never knew why so many people left Europe for North America , but I do now. Next the people and the cultures Smith met in the Americas is told in a way that is honest to both sides IMO. This mans story is awesome in its sequence and its importance to history. Even modern history has been affected by these events. Pritchard has written a readable and interesting account of the past. Excellent!

A man of much integrity, as was Captain John Smith, is often beset with frustrations and trials of many kinds, which jealous and unscrupulous malefactors, little men, perpetuate upon such 'big' men. With great fortitude that appears to have been magically inbred into his natural DNA, Smith became a man of many great talents, often forged out of the necessity of survival. He literally battled his way through life with many splatterings and smatterings of blood, guts and gore strewn in his wake. Those with strong stomaches will read this with keen interest.

This biography by R. E. Pritchard, sees Smith as a soldier, slave, pirate, food supplier/negotiator; president/governor/admiral; cartographer and author. "Adventurer," however, sums it all up.

Generally speaking, Pritchard, the author of the book, Captain John Smith, Adventurer, relies heavily upon Smith's own considerable writings, with forays into others' works, of the life and times of Smith (1580-1631). Parts of the book were difficult to get through, perhaps a bit too heavy with details but then would come portions that kept one's attention..

All-in-all, the reading of this book gives excellent documentation of the history of the advance for "building of a colony," showing brave, but often some arrogant and naive, men, who sallied forth from England to the New World of Jamestown, Virginia. Smith, through Pritchard, relates the accounts in more 'accurate' detail than we are wont to get from movies and children's books and will rectify some of our incorrectly conceived 'knowledge' and views on such issues as who and what Pocahontas was and accomplised; and of conflicts and interactions between white man vs Indian; and so on.

Captian John Smith, Adventurer, would have been a man I'd have been pleased to know. So strong and steadfast even in his 'rough' sort of way; a true man. He gave many loyal years of service to king and country, despite unjust treatment, and to the "breaking ground in satisfaction" for the benefit of others.

~Eunice C. - Reviewer/Blogger~

July 2021

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy I received from the publisher.

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