Product Description
This book is the definitive reference on Champlain and the birth of French America. Contributors discuss not only the beginnings of L'Acadie, its development, and the difficulties of colonization but also look at France during Champlain's time and analyse how he has been remembered. Lavishly illustrated, "Champlain" brings together the thirty-two maps attributed to him, reproduced for the first time in colour, as well as illustrations of numerous rare artifacts, documents, and a selection of drawings by Champlain. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A stunning book
This book is simply stunning, and a bargain at this price. It is a large coffee-table sized volume that combines beautiful production values with scholarly articles on various aspects of Champlain's eventful life. Many perspectives are included, from historians, archaeologists, art historians, archivists, museum curators from around the world. For the professional historian or just the lover of history, this book is a real treat. Original maps and illustrations, photos and images of all kinds delight the eye. It makes Champlain - a true Renaissance man - and his world really "come alive", as well it should, for modern audiences. Dive in and read sections as your interest leads you. The only downside is that because of it's size, you'll have to read it on your lap. ... Read more

Product Description
From acclaimed author Douglas Hunter, a searing historical work about death, deceit and dishonour, and the rivalry between Samuel de Champlain and Henry Hudson–two of the greatest explorers of the seventeenth century.

Samuel de Champlain of France and Englishman Henry Hudson were rival explorers in a race to describe and exploit the northern half of North America and, not least, to find a profitable passage to the Orient. The English had been trying to find a way through the Arctic since the 1570s. For Hudson, the dream of discovery proved fatal. A mutiny in the summer of 1611 saw Hudson, his teenage son John, and seven other crew members cast adrift in James Bay in an open boat. They were never heard from again.

In May 1613, Samuel de Champlain left the site of present-day Montreal on a journey up the Ottawa River into uncharted territory. Champlain had undertaken the expedition because of extraordinary testimony from a young informant, Nicolas de Vignau, who had spent 1611-12 with the Algonquin and returned to France with an incredible story: He had visited the Northern Sea. What’s more, he had seen an English youth, the sole survivor of a shipwreck, held captive by the Nebicerini people as a gift for Champlain. To rescue both the English youth and his own career, Champlain set out to collect him.

God’s Mercies has all the elements of a great adventure mystery: a mutiny, a massacre, a murder trial, signed confessions, and intrigue at the highest levels of state. Truths would be revealed as lies, and lies would turn out to be half-truths.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more