James Horn, a renowned historian and the former president of the Jamestown Redevelopment and Heritage Program, published the book in 2005 to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Virginia's founding. Drawing on his deep expertise in early colonial history, Horn crafts a narrative that positions Jamestown, rather than Plymouth, as the true birthplace of the American experience. The book meticulously chronicles the first twenty years of the settlement, beginning with the harrowing "Starving Time" and the desperate struggle for survival against disease and internal discord. Horn also provides a gritty, realistic look at the complex geopolitical landscape, detailing the volatile relationship between English settlers and the powerful Powhatan Chiefdom. He further explores how the 1619 introduction of both representative government and the first enslaved Africans created a lasting paradox at the heart of American identity. Ultimately, the work explains how the transition to a Royal Colony in 1624 set the stage for England’s permanent imperial presence in North America.

New York: Basic Books, 2005. 1st edition. 337 pages. Hardcover book with dustjacket. Both the book and dustjacket are in FINE condition.