Land As God Made It : Jamestown And the Birth of America

The definitive history of the Jamestown colony, the crucible of American history

“An absolutely terrific book.” —New York Times

In this beautiful, vividly told story, James Horn describes the beginnings of England’s first successful colony in America, persuasively demonstrating that Jamestown was the first great crucible of American history.

A Land As God Made It describes the unimaginable hardships endured by early colonists in their efforts to establish a settlement, their search for gold mines and a massage to the East, and their hopes of finding fabulously wealthy Indian civilizations. It details the dramatic exploits of Captain John Smith and his relationship with the Powhatans, and explores the tragic consequences of English attempts to convert Indian peoples to Christianity. With unparalleled knowledge of Jamestown’s early history, James Horn has written a gripping account of the colony that gave rise to America.

James Horn is the president of the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation. He is author and editor of eight books on colonial American history, including A Brave and Cunning Prince: The Great Chief Opechancanough and the War for America. He lives in Richmond, Virginia.