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Landmark Giant #6
Life in Colonial America
Here is the whole beguiling and sometimes surprising story of how Americans lived from the first settlements at Jamestown down to the Revolution. Weaving together countless colorful and intimate details, the author has created a vivid tapestry of everyday life, from a humble New England fireside to an elegant Virginia plantation.
Contents
I Plantation Life
II New England Neighbors
III The Dutch and the Quakers
IV The Goodwife at Home
V "To Provide for the Common Defense"
VI Schooldays
VII Tradesmen & Craftsmen
VIII By Sea & by Land
IX High Days & Holidays
Contents
I Plantation Life
II New England Neighbors
III The Dutch and the Quakers
IV The Goodwife at Home
V "To Provide for the Common Defense"
VI Schooldays
VII Tradesmen & Craftsmen
VIII By Sea & by Land
IX High Days & Holidays
- GenresHistory
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1963
1 person is currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth George Speare
20 books1,452 followersI was born in Melrose, Massachusetts, on November 21, 1908. I have lived all my life in New England, and though I love to travel I can't imagine ever calling any other place on earth home. Since I can't remember a time when I didn't intend to write, it is hard to explain why I took so long getting around to it in earnest. But the years seemed to go by very quickly. In 1936 I married Alden Speare and came to Connecticut. Not till both children were in junior high did I find time at last to sit down quietly with a pencil and paper. I turned naturally to the things which had filled my days and thoughts and began to write magazine articles about family living. Then one day I stumbled on a true story from New England history with a character who seemed to me an ideal heroine. Though I had my first historical novel almost by accident it soon proved to be an absorbing hobby."
Elizabeth George Speare (1908-1994) won the 1959 Newbery Medal for THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND, and the 1962 Newbery Medal for THE BRONZE BOW. She also received a Newbery Honor Award in 1983, and in 1989 she was presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for her substantial and enduring contribution to children’s literature.
Elizabeth George Speare (1908-1994) won the 1959 Newbery Medal for THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND, and the 1962 Newbery Medal for THE BRONZE BOW. She also received a Newbery Honor Award in 1983, and in 1989 she was presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for her substantial and enduring contribution to children’s literature.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 13, 2024
This is age-appropriate history. Before kids start memorizing "real" history (e.g., names, events, dates, battles ...), they need to have a solid feeling of what life in early America was like. Speare does reenforce some key historical names and she does mention the major historical events, but for the most part, she paints a picture of how families lived in the time before mechanization.
Most adults would probably learn something if they took the time to read this. Here are examples of some of the things I learned.
p 36: Courting was done in the presence of father and mother and inquisitive relatives and giggling younger brothers and sister. Some parents ... allowed the young people to whisper to each other through a long hollow rod. (I hadn't heard of rods being used in courtship.)
p 46: Shoes [were] identical, right and left, and could be changed about.
p 56: In New Amsterdam, when attacks were feared, a 'rattle watch' of eight men patrolled the streets all night, sounding their wooden rattles and rapping on every door as they passed to reassure the sleepers that all was well.
p 106: About schooling ... From the New England Primer a child went directly to the Bible. After all, to read the Bible was the main purpose in learning to read.
p 114: schooned - the word for a stone skipping the water (and the source of the word schooner)
It was painful to read about the slaughter of the flocks of passenger pigeons that were once so abundant. (I wonder if some genetic juggling could resurrect this species, and if so, would it be able to survive?)
This doesn't read like a novel. But it isn't a novel. And it is far more interesting to read than are most history texts or encyclopedia entries.
Most adults would probably learn something if they took the time to read this. Here are examples of some of the things I learned.
p 36: Courting was done in the presence of father and mother and inquisitive relatives and giggling younger brothers and sister. Some parents ... allowed the young people to whisper to each other through a long hollow rod. (I hadn't heard of rods being used in courtship.)
p 46: Shoes [were] identical, right and left, and could be changed about.
p 56: In New Amsterdam, when attacks were feared, a 'rattle watch' of eight men patrolled the streets all night, sounding their wooden rattles and rapping on every door as they passed to reassure the sleepers that all was well.
p 106: About schooling ... From the New England Primer a child went directly to the Bible. After all, to read the Bible was the main purpose in learning to read.
p 114: schooned - the word for a stone skipping the water (and the source of the word schooner)
It was painful to read about the slaughter of the flocks of passenger pigeons that were once so abundant. (I wonder if some genetic juggling could resurrect this species, and if so, would it be able to survive?)
This doesn't read like a novel. But it isn't a novel. And it is far more interesting to read than are most history texts or encyclopedia entries.
December 14, 2010
I was quite surprised to find that the well known author of The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Sign of the Beaver, Calico Captive, and others had written this non-fiction piece of work. But thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised.
September 18, 2019
I would use this book during my Colonial Time unit. I have put post-its throughout the book to share information. I wouldn't read this to my class cover to cover, however, there are some facts that are interesting to share.
June 23, 2015
this book reads like an old encyclopedia full of facts, prints, and photos from early America. Many excerpts are of actual events that happened to common people.
did-not-finish
November 12, 2018DNF at page 52. While it wasn't the worst thing I've ever read, I just can't seem to make myself continue reading it. I'm no longer interested in continuing this book. I thought I could read some history, but this feels like a textbook and I never could stay interested in my history classes in school.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews