The literatures of colonial America : an anthology /

This volume is a major contribution to the study of early American history as well as a literary monument of colossal proportions. Castillo and Schweitzer have compiled an anthology that is stunning in both its breadth and diversity, including every possible perspective from the earliest contacts between Europe and America to the late 18th century. Part 1, concerning exploration and contact prior to 1604, is particularly striking in its stark depiction of the crimes committed against Native Americans, both in their own words and in those of the invaders. Many literary genres are represented in this section: letter, memoir, dialogue, and epic tale. Part 2 presents Spanish, French, and English perspectives on the colonization period, very well translated with minimal but sufficient annotations. Part 3 provides a selection of Colonial American writers more familiar to the nonspecialist, along with some lesser-known figures. The editors' thoughtful selection of texts creates a brilliant challenge to prior portraits of this period as well as a compilation of truly great literature. All collections. W. Comins-Richmond Occidental College

Readers whose study of the English colonization of America took the form of a college survey using an anthology that began with William Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation (1630-50) will perhaps be surprised and surely gratified that this generous new anthology contains ample evidence that other nations were also colonizing the continent and that the Native American population was not averse to reacting loudly and eloquently to what were, for them, disastrous consequences. This collection is divided into three sections: "Exploration and Contact to 1600," "New World Identities: Exploration and Settlement to 1700," and "The Eighteenth Century." Except for a handful of familiar English-speaking writers (Anne Bradstreet, Jonathan Edwards, Ben Franklin, etc.), the writers here are new to most anthologies. Together they correct our view of early America, revealing its cultural diversity and laying bare the nearly universal greed that motivated the era's colonizing efforts. Essential for all libraries. Charles C. Nash, Cottey Coll., Nevada, MO (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.