Jamestown: The Perilous Adventure

I found this book to be a quick and easy read after the first chapter - which for some reason seemed to drag - and I think it would be a good choice for teens or adults wanting a quick introduction to Jamestown. Originally published in the 1950's (see note at bottom of review), it reads like a more modern book and does not seem dated. This is due most probably to the fact that the author derived much of her information from primary sources rather than 'trendy' secondary analysis. Certainly you can hear echoes of the colonists' words in her descriptions. In a book like this, particularly one geared for teens and young adults, the problem is usually balancing the production of an interesting story with facts and details. In this case, Ms. Hall-Quest got it right. She didn't burden the reader with too much detail, and one is just as likely to run across fun information like how many piglets were born at such-and-such a time, as a date. Likewise she doesn't engage in extensive discussion of the Virginia Charters, but rather emphasizes the challenges that the community faced, and the personality problems that cropped up. Overall I thought it was intelligently written and engaging. Rating : Very Good. Jamestown: The Perilous Adventure good book for teens or adults looking for a quick, easy introduction to the early history of Jamestown. The narrative touches upon the personality problems that figured in the settlements history, which includes both whites and indigenous peoples. There are several useful maps included. Note: First published in the 1950's the material facts have been updated although it was not clear to me by whom. The preface was written by a gentleman from the National Parks Service, so perhaps the curators at Jamestown double-checked the details. Pam T~ mom and reviewer for BooksForKids-reviews and PageInHistory