Captain John Smith's voyages throughout the new world did not end--or; for that matter; begin--with the trip on which he was captured and brought to the great chief Powhatan. Partly in an effort to map the region; Smith covered countless leagues of the Chesapeake Bay and its many tributary rivers; and documented his experiences. In this ambitious and extensively illustrated book; scholars from multiple disciplines take the reader on Smith's exploratory voyages and reconstruct the Chesapeake environment and its people as Smith encountered them. Beginning with a description of the land and waterways as they were then; the book also provides a portrait of the native peoples who lived and worked on them--as well as the motives; and the means; the recently arrived English had at their disposal for learning about a world only they thought of as "new." Readers are then taken along on John Smith's two expeditions to map the bay; an account drawn largely from Smith's own journals and told by the coauthor; an avid sailor; with a complete reconstruction of the winds; tides; and local currents Smith would have faced. The authors then examine the region in more detail: the major river valleys; the various parts of the Eastern Shore; and the head of the Bay. Each area is mapped and described; with added sections on how the Native Americans used the specific natural resources available; how English settlements spread; and what has happened to the native people since the English arrived. The book concludes with a discussion on the changes in the region's waters and its plant and animal life since John Smith's time--some of which reflect the natural shifts over time in this dynamic ecosystem; others the result of the increased human population and the demands that come with it.Published by the University of Virginia Press in association with Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network; and the U.S. National Park Service; Virginia Department of Historic Resources; and Maryland Historical Trust.
#882820 in Books Milagros Ricourt 2016-11-18 2016-11-18Original language:English 9.09 x .51 x 6.07l; .0 #File Name: 0813584477240 pagesThe Dominican Racial Imaginary Surveying the Landscape of Race and Nation in Hispaniola Critical Caribbean Studies
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. It intertwines stories of different communities and perspectives that allow one to get a good look on the islands racial identityBy CustomerThe Dominican Racial Imaginary by Milagros Ricourt looks at the racial landscape in the Dominican Republic. There is a denial of their African heritage in the minds of many Dominicans. She looks at the historical factors that surround the official narrative about what Dominica’s are with regard to race. Ricourt looks at the historical sources to prove there is a more accurate narrative that the official one is actively ignoring. The book itself is interesting look at how the Dominican Republic and Haiti got to where they are. It intertwines stories of different communities and perspectives that allow one to get a good look on the islands racial identity.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. In her ethnographic study Dominican Racial Imaginary; Milagros Ricourt ...By NataliaIn her ethnographic study Dominican Racial Imaginary; Milagros Ricourt pursues the racial; social; and political history of Hispaniola. Being born in the Dominican Republic and also being part of the Dominican diaspora in the United States; she has witnessed two different notions of what is to be Dominican and how Dominicans racially self-identify in each place; from self-categorizing as white to embracing African roots. This experience generates questions that she answers after spending time in the border region and researching the colonial history of the Dominica Republic and Haiti.I found very interesting when Ricourt writes about parallels between Cuban orishas and the mysteries of Dominican Vodou that emerged in the midst of resistance to slavery.The author does a phenomenal job going through history searching for answers to explain the development of the Dominican Racial Imaginary.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Dominican Republic and HaitiBy NashalyIn Milagros Ricourt’s book The Dominican Racial Imaginary: Surveying the Landscape of Race and Nation in Hispaniola; we explore the one question we all wonder and that is why do Dominicans neglect their African heritage? The question has even been simplified to why do Dominicans and Haitians not get along? Readers learn that the official policies of the Dominican government are discriminatory against those who come from Haiti. Ricourt explains that Dominicans trace their heritage to Europeans roots to distinguish themselves from their Haitian neighbors that are classified as Africans. The complex relationship between Dominicans and Haitians can be traced back to resentments that the Spanish elites had towards the neighboring French colony. Dominican history was mostly written from the slaveholder’s perspective; who were loyal to their Spanish heritage. The author suggests that although the Dominican authorities have made great effort in trying to erase the African roots of the Dominican society; it is still present in many cultural behaviors. After reading the book; I was very upset with the ideology that these people had; and even more upset that they could not accept where they truly came from. However; I do not blame the people; as much as I blame the dictator who was in power at the time; Trujillo. We learn about his dictatorship; as well as the people's impact because of it. The books touches on other topics such as vodou as well; and how common it is within the Haitian community; but the author wanted to shed some light on Dominican Vodou. All I can say is; I appreciate this book for all of the information it contains; and how well put together it is.
