As the sun rose on the 20th of September 1565; so did Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and his men. Their woolen clothes reeked of sweat and swamp; moldering from the four-day journey and the overnight rainstorm so common to La Florida. They bivouacked several hundred yards from their objective the night before after hacking and wading through swamp and jungle in the oppressive heat. Their matchlocks; pikes and swords needed maintenance - the men double-checked their apostles of powder for dampness and wiped down their dully-gleaming steel weapons. Menéndez again polled his officers as to their feelings concerning their mission and many still declined support. However; Chaplain Mendoza who accompanied the soldiers; supported Captain-General Menéndez; offering that he stood with him in thought and deed. The lieutenants soon acquiesced and the 500 Spanish soldiers set off; stealthily creeping toward Fort Caroline. The damp ground deadened the sound of their approach. This was fortunate; as they were laden with weapons and ladders. They soon saw that most of the fort was unguarded and cheerfully slinked closer; saying their last prayers before the slaughter of the heretic French began. The vignette above is not prose written for some Hollywood spectacle attacking the evil Europeans and their mistreatment of the natives in the new world. It is an account of a small part of the drama that played out on the coast of Florida in the early years of European colonization. The area known now as the “First Coast†from Amelia Island to the Matanzas Inlet in Northeast Florida was the set of the beginning scene of the ethnic cleansing of a native population; the holy war between Christians and the founding of what is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the United States. The colonization of the New World provided opportunities for many; from those in pursuit of religious freedom like the French Huguenots to those seeking to expand their empire in the name of God like the Spanish Catholics – but when the two collided in 16th Century Florida; kindly Christian values waned and killing in the name of God became the norm.
#349591 in Books LYONS 2015-12-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.66 x .93 x 5.65l; 1.00 #File Name: 1493009605352 pagesLYONS
Review
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful. Useful and EnjoyableBy Richard CarrThe subject is interesting; of course; but Batcher and Hunt's clear writing and nimble storytelling make it compelling. Additionally; the book is well researched; complete with index; bibliography and extensive endnotes--all entirely unobtrusive. The writing and research combine to make this a useful scholarly source for one reader; while for another; it is simply an accessible; thoroughly enjoyable read.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Infidelity and tragedy; the curse of being married to a Kennedy.By Fred SpenoThe chapter on Ethel Skakel Kennedy was the most enlightening to me. She was apparently 100% loyal to her husband despite his philandering nature generally; but what must have been even more painful for her was the romantic attention her husband focused on sister in law; Jackie. Ethel lacked the poise; charm and culture of her popular sister in law; but she was a more genuine person who suffered great pain and grief despite her lack of selfish motivation.The most tragic figure was the beautiful; Joan Bennett Kennedy; Ted's first wife. She simply could not deal with the Kennedy value system and collapsed; using alcohol and drugs as an escape method. She was apparently unhappy throughout her adult life.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Challenges and Perils of marrying into the Kennedy clan.By EbethI'm giving this a 5-star because of all the numerous stories and books on the Kennedy's; this one is not only about the wives but each wife had her own chapter and storyline. The stories all started from beginning; all about the wives as a single daughter before marrying into the Kennedy clan and facing their many but different challenges. I was so impressed with the book that I bought a copy for my sister.
