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The World of Captain John Smith
Spanning the years from 1580-1631, the life of the adventurous John Smith gives a picture of the world just before and during the colonization of America.
When Smith was a boy, Shakespeare was on his way to London to become an actor, the Spanish Armada had failed to conquer England, Mary Queen of Scots had lost her head, and Akbar the young prince of India sought to rule his people wisely. Galileo was perfecting his telescope and seeing things never before seen by the human eye, while Pocahontas romped the forests of Virginia and saved a young Englishman's life. A little band of Pilgrims seeking to escape religious persecution in England fled to Holland and a little Dutch boy named Rembrandt began to paint.
These are just a few of the intriguing personalities, events, discoveries, and advances that made up the world of Captain John Smith and are now made alive to the reader in Foster's masterful way.
When Smith was a boy, Shakespeare was on his way to London to become an actor, the Spanish Armada had failed to conquer England, Mary Queen of Scots had lost her head, and Akbar the young prince of India sought to rule his people wisely. Galileo was perfecting his telescope and seeing things never before seen by the human eye, while Pocahontas romped the forests of Virginia and saved a young Englishman's life. A little band of Pilgrims seeking to escape religious persecution in England fled to Holland and a little Dutch boy named Rembrandt began to paint.
These are just a few of the intriguing personalities, events, discoveries, and advances that made up the world of Captain John Smith and are now made alive to the reader in Foster's masterful way.
406 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1959
About the author
Genevieve Foster
36 books67 followersGenevieve Stump Foster was an American children's author and illustrator best known for her innovative approach to writing history books for young readers. Born in Oswego, New York, she spent most of her childhood in Wisconsin after the death of her father. Foster studied at Rockford College, the University of Wisconsin, and the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. She began her career as a commercial artist before focusing on children’s literature. Inspired by her daughter, she developed a distinctive method of presenting history by integrating global events to show their connections. Her first major success, George Washington's World, highlighted how the American and French Revolutions and British imperialism affected Washington’s life. Foster's books, praised for bringing historical figures to life, were translated into numerous languages and distributed internationally. Over her career, she wrote 19 nonfiction books, several of which became Newbery Honor titles. Foster passed away in Westport, Connecticut, leaving a legacy that continues through her enduring works and influence on historical storytelling.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 26, 2018
4.5/5
It took me a while to wade through this book, but it was well worth the effort. The amount of time I took is really no reflection on the book or its writing style. Aimed at younger readers, it was actually very readable, with lots of illustrations - I just had a lot of other things going on in life!!
As a child, reading Foster's George Washington's World was really my first introduction to the concept that our US history existed as a part of world history, rather than as two separate subjects. Foster does an almost magical job of weaving together bits and pieces of history to show how things happening in China really were impacting Holland, while things in Holland were changing history in France, which meant that the way things were going in France changed the course of history in the New World.
Foster's books were published before political correctness and the terror of offending people had become the top considerations when writing history books, so if reading the words "Negro" or "Indian" gives you heart palpitations, this probably isn't the book for you. But Foster is amazingly... kind, I guess. She doesn't go out of her way to create villains or heroes, but instead presents actions and decisions of different people and allows the readers to decide if they were good or bad.
The 1600's were a time when religion and government were virtually one and the same, and Foster handles all of this deftly. She discusses the political impact of all different sects of Christians, as well as Muslims, Buddhists, and others. I was so impressed at her ability to show that even if someone does something in the name of a certain religion, it does not necessarily mean that that is what that religion preaches or condones. Instead, Foster shows how every person is responsible for his own actions, even if he interprets his religion a certain way.
All in all, I highly recommend this, as well as Foster's other history books. She does an amazing job of giving a broad overview of world history while still making it personal and interesting. I loved these books as a child, and still find them engaging as an adult.
It took me a while to wade through this book, but it was well worth the effort. The amount of time I took is really no reflection on the book or its writing style. Aimed at younger readers, it was actually very readable, with lots of illustrations - I just had a lot of other things going on in life!!
As a child, reading Foster's George Washington's World was really my first introduction to the concept that our US history existed as a part of world history, rather than as two separate subjects. Foster does an almost magical job of weaving together bits and pieces of history to show how things happening in China really were impacting Holland, while things in Holland were changing history in France, which meant that the way things were going in France changed the course of history in the New World.
Foster's books were published before political correctness and the terror of offending people had become the top considerations when writing history books, so if reading the words "Negro" or "Indian" gives you heart palpitations, this probably isn't the book for you. But Foster is amazingly... kind, I guess. She doesn't go out of her way to create villains or heroes, but instead presents actions and decisions of different people and allows the readers to decide if they were good or bad.
The 1600's were a time when religion and government were virtually one and the same, and Foster handles all of this deftly. She discusses the political impact of all different sects of Christians, as well as Muslims, Buddhists, and others. I was so impressed at her ability to show that even if someone does something in the name of a certain religion, it does not necessarily mean that that is what that religion preaches or condones. Instead, Foster shows how every person is responsible for his own actions, even if he interprets his religion a certain way.
All in all, I highly recommend this, as well as Foster's other history books. She does an amazing job of giving a broad overview of world history while still making it personal and interesting. I loved these books as a child, and still find them engaging as an adult.
December 21, 2022
I read this for school. It was good to know all that was happening at John Smith's time. It was good but got kind of boring.
February 12, 2024
John Smith's motto on his crest of arms: To overcome is to live.
John Smith's life was a fascinating context for this history of 1580-1631. Like Jonah, he was thrown overboard in the Mediterranean Sea (he was the only Protestant on a ship of Catholic pilgrims when a huge storm rose up). Years later he was a captive on a French pirate ship; he escaped in a small boat shortly before a storm wrecked the ship and sent all to the bottom of the sea. Pocahontas saved his life by begging her father not to kill him.
He tried various occupations like he was changing clothes. He traveled further and longer than almost anyone else in his lifetime, most of central and southern Europe and a large part of the coastline of the New World. He did not struggle with a lack of confidence.
Foster helped me to get the French Henry's and the English Mary's straight in my mind.
Even though the book is long, the chapters are short and the illustrations helpful.
John Smith's life was a fascinating context for this history of 1580-1631. Like Jonah, he was thrown overboard in the Mediterranean Sea (he was the only Protestant on a ship of Catholic pilgrims when a huge storm rose up). Years later he was a captive on a French pirate ship; he escaped in a small boat shortly before a storm wrecked the ship and sent all to the bottom of the sea. Pocahontas saved his life by begging her father not to kill him.
He tried various occupations like he was changing clothes. He traveled further and longer than almost anyone else in his lifetime, most of central and southern Europe and a large part of the coastline of the New World. He did not struggle with a lack of confidence.
Foster helped me to get the French Henry's and the English Mary's straight in my mind.
Even though the book is long, the chapters are short and the illustrations helpful.
November 2, 2023
One of Genevieve Foster's "horizontal histories" focused on the life of Captain John Smith, and contemporary events around the world during his lifetime. While mostly known today for his adventures as part of the Jamestown colony with the Powhatan and with Pocahontas, this book thoroughly explores his entire life, as well as what else was happening in this lifetime.
January 14, 2019
What a nice and informative history book! I love it!
February 26, 2020
I read this 4 school, but still enjoyed it. I'll give it a 3 3/4 rating lol
March 24, 2021
Great history book, not boring, and I am bound to remember the details in its fun narrative style.
May 31, 2021
Read this to my nine year old. He enjoyed it. I did too. It's a much better history book than any other I have come across (as far as general history goes).
April 13, 2022
Very detailed book about the life and times of John Smith. My only complaint was that it jumped around a lot, and since we only read one or two short chapters a day, it got confusing at times.
March 26, 2026
Read for school. Quite engaging and more thorough than any history I read as a young person. Nice personable literary style kept uss engaged.
September 8, 2008
Another of Genevieve Foster's World of... books, this one focuses on the years 1580-1631, the lifetime of John Smith. Smith, of course, is the first leader of the Jamestown colony in Virginia. Like the other volumes, Ms. Foster takes a look at events around the world during those years. Or at least around the Northern Hemisphere. Either there was not much happening in South America and Africa during those years, or Ms. Foster has a Eurasian bias. Even so, it is an enjoyable read. Surprisingly enough, part of the appeal is that the life of Captain Smith is an interesting tale in and of itself. If you want to share either his life story or the history of the time with your young'un, I'd advise you to check it out.
July 23, 2016
As far as history books for young children, this one cannot be surpassed. It is absolutely outstanding. A thorough and winsome account of what was going on throughout the world during the life of Captain John Smith, one of the founders of the English colony of Jamestown, from 1580-1631. Highly recommended.
December 12, 2008
I read this book for the same curriculum as George Washington's World. I would say the same thing about this book that I did about that one.
Foster tells what happens in John Smith's personal life and also what is going on everywhere else.
Foster tells what happens in John Smith's personal life and also what is going on everywhere else.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews