SAVAGE KINGDOM The True Story of Jamestown, 1607, and the Settlement of America

The Jamestown settlement of 1607, like so many other events surrounding the birth of America, is shrouded in myth. Woolley's history of early Virginia--released to celebrate the colony's 400th anniversary--seeks to set the historical record straight with respect to John Smith, Pocahontas, and the lesser known settlers. David Drummond's narration is straightforward and easy to listen to, and he does his best to liven up the material. He clearly adjusts his delivery to indicate when he's reading a historical quote rather than Woolley's own words. Ultimately, however, the text is simply not engaging, and the production sounds like a long lecture rather than a narrative of an exciting and adventurous period in American history. D.B. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 08]