The Colonization of North America: American Colonies Vol. 1

In the first volume of the Penguin History of the US, edited by Eric Foner, Alan Taylor reexamines the traditional narrative of colonial history in America. He delves into the diverse cultures that have shaped North America, from its indigenous inhabitants dating back millennia, through centuries of Western colonization and conquest, spanning the entire continent to the Pacific coast.

Diving deep into North America's colonial history, this book goes beyond the traditional Anglocentric perspective to showcase the vital roles played by Native American tribes, African slaves, and various European empires like France, Spain, the Netherlands, and even Russia. American Colonies expands its focus beyond the familiar Atlantic seaboard, offering a comprehensive view of the entire continent. Through a compelling narrative enriched by cutting-edge research, Taylor paints a vivid picture of this pivotal era marked by a complex interplay of peoples, cultures, flora, fauna, and microorganisms. This colonial world is portrayed as a dynamic landscape where themes of freedom and slavery, opportunity and loss intersect seamlessly.

Described as formidable, this book challenges us to consider how individuals in North America managed their land over the course of history. This thought-provoking analysis was highlighted in The New York Times Book Review.