A Man Most Driven: Captain John Smith, Pocahontas and the Founding of America by Peter Firstbrook (4-Jun-2015) Paperback

by Peter Firstbrook

He fought and beheaded three Turkish adversaries in duels. He was sold into slavery, then murdered his master to escape. He sailed under a pirate flag, was shipwrecked and marched to the gallows to be hanged, only to be reprieved at the eleventh hour. And all this happened before he was thirty years old. This is Captain John Smith’s life.

Everyone knows the story of Pocahontas, and how in 1607 she saved John Smith. And were it not for Smith’s leadership, the Jamestown colony would surely have failed. Yet Smith was a far more ambitious explorer and soldier of fortune than these tales suggest – and a far more ambitious self-promoter, too. Now, in this first new major biography of Smith in decades, award-winning BBC filmmaker and author Peter Firstbrook traces the adventurer’s astonishing exploits across three continents, testing Smith’s own writings against the historical and geographical reality on the ground.

With 'A Man Most Driven', Firstbrook delivers a riveting, enlightening dissection of this myth-making man, England’s arrival on the world stage, and the creation of America.

Genres: History, Biography, American History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, American

Unknown Binding

First published October 14, 2014

About the author

Peter Firstbrook is author of The Voyage of the Matthew (about the explorer John Cabot), Lost on Everest (about George Mallory), and The Obamas: The Untold Story of an African Family. He worked for the BBC for twenty-five years as a television producer, director and executive producer, specializing in historical documentaries. He has won over thirty international awards, including on two occasions the Royal Television Society award for best documentary. He divides his time between London and the Isle of Wight.

Reviews

[Brendan Monroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

If, like me, you grew up watching Disney films, you likely remember John Smith as the non-singing companion of Pocahontas. His role in that film seemed to be that of the "good" Englishman whose job it was to be saved by Pocahontas. Here then, is the real story of John Smith - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Though I was disappointed to find that there is no singing in this version, this fascinating story (or tale?) more than makes up for it.

Most of the book's 15 chapters seem to proceed thusly: John Smith says he did something, but did he actually do it? Surprisingly, Smith doesn't actually make it to America until nearly halfway into the book, and Pocahontas doesn't make her debut until much later. The majority of the first half of the book sees Smith making the transition from farmer's son to European crusader against the Ottoman Empire. Smith's is a compelling story for an array of reasons, not least because his desire to escape from an oppressive English class system that would see him living a farmer's life is so understandably felt. The main issue the book has - indeed, that any book about Smith would have - is just how much credence to give to his actual accounting of events. The half of the story devoted to Smith's European gallivanting is problematic for the reason that there are absolutely no secondary accounts backing up any of Smith's impressive claims. While this section of his life is up for debate, what isn't is that Smith's telling of it is fascinating. Upon hearing it, one thinks it's simply far too outlandish to be true, and that Smith is, at best, a serial exaggerator. Then again, upon arriving in Jamestown equally bizarre and extraordinary things happen to Smith so one can't help but come away feeling that the man just had a penchant for adventure and adventure for him.

Though the book's subtitle is, in full, "Captain John Smith, Pocahontas, and the Founding of America," clearly Pocahontas is left to play second (or even third) fiddle to Smith in this story. Perhaps author Peter Firstbrook didn't like the Disney film. It's hard here to actually decide which of these two characters is more interesting. While Firstbrook covers all of Smith's alleged exploits in such depth we feel like we're sometimes in the midst of an investigative report, Pocahontas is given remarkably short shrift. Only the briefest amount of time is given to speculating on her motivations. Why, for example, did she save Smith? That's a fascinating question that could fill a book of its own, but Firstbrook spends far more time delving into the question of whether she saved Smith at all; for the future Mel Gibson voiced cartoon character apparently wrote three versions of the infamous event, each different and the first not featuring Pocahontas at all. The amount of time, limited though it is, that is given over to exploring the Powhatan Princess's motivations is fascinating. In the end, I don't fault Firstbrook for relegating Pocahontas to a supporting role, it seems as if there is remarkably little knowledge of her pre-English life to begin with and what is there comes exclusively from Smith's writing.

Ultimately, this is a book about John Smith and his extraordinary life. Though certain accounts he gives almost certainly were unlikely to have actually taken place, one can't help but admire the man's tenacity and courage.

Not only does "A Man Most Driven" provide the full story on an event we all (Americans, anyway) first learn about in our childhoods, it is a fascinating account of a man most fascinating and all the flaws that came with him.

[Theletter23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up because I was trying to read the firsthand writings of John Smith for a research assignment, good luck if you ever try that. I found this book follows his writings in parallel pretty closely. If you arrange Smith's writings chronologically, and read them side by side with Firstbrook as a reference, it has the effect of reading an annotated Smith. Firstbrook interprets obscure passages (of which there are many and, by the way, differing interpretations among scholars), highlights points of contention, and provides relevant corroboration from other historical and archeological sources. Also has some neat pictures of places Smith visited.

I only needed part of the book for the assignment but I ended up reading the whole thing cover to cover, which is the first time I've read a complete book in a few years.

[Chris Wares · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happened across this book when I was researching whether Lendava, an area in eastern Slovenia that we visited a few years ago, was ever involved in the Ottoman-Hungarian wars. The area’s location would suggest that the far flung wars would have impinged on the town and environs at some point but my Investigations were coming up with very little.

The fact that the one reference I found on Google to a battle seemed to suggest that Captain John Smith was present was intriguing. I was only passingly familiar with the story of Jamestown and Pocohontas but I knew enough to know that he was an interesting character and was surprised to discover him fighting in Hungary.

My curiosity was piqued and I decided to read this book. I was not disappointed. I was fascinated to learn that he fought not only at Lendava but also Szekesfehervar, switched sides and travelled to Brasov to join Istvan Bathory, and then marched through the Turno Rosa Pass and camped in Brezoi , a small village in the Carpathians that we stayed in last summer.

Given that this part of his life was a mere prelude to the main story and that he in fact had many other adventures besides Smith is a slam dunk for a riveting subject and the author had the skills to match and make this a highly readable and enjoyable book

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tried to read the original words of the 17th Century founder of Jamestown, Captain John Smith, but it was almost like reading a foreign language with the way of saying things so different from now, and the spellings not consistent. I soon gave those writings up. He wrote several accounts of the same happenings and there were so many Indian raids, and Indian names to keep straight, and other writings by his contemporaries that seemed to contradict what he said, I gave it up again. That is why I so appreciate the amount of research done by Peter Firstbrook in *A Man Most Driven, Captain John Smith, Pocohontas and the Founding of America.* Firstbrook ploughs through the many manuscripts, notes, and maps of the 1600's to put together a measured view of this most remarkable man. Smith came from humble beginnings in Lincolshire and carved out his own destiny, which was almost unheard of as a possibility in those times of rigid class division in England. He fought in wars all across Europe for various sides before he ventured into the new world. He counted Powhatan and the other tribes as worthy adversaries and Firstbrook credits them with as much intelligence and negotiating skills as Smith. It's interesting to see both sides. I recommend this book highly to anyone interested in history, biography, 17th century life, or the founding of America.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to one of my book clubs, I read this and was fascinated by this young man: he grew up where I grew up (Lincolnshire) so that was a slight connection, but from there he just took off – was restless, never satisfied (it seemed), always looking for the next adventure. This author must have spent years researching – so meticulously recorded, which could bog a person down, but just skim the language and exposition bits and keep going…how did he formulate his dreams – Lincolnshire can do that to you perhaps – I too dreamed of America when I was eleven years old and have now lived there for 60+ years. Smith was undaunted – so many times he almost died but he still craved the heroism and chaos of exploring. He was extraordinary.

[Brian Kurzhal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an extraordinary leader and audacious survivalist, Captain John Smith. Schooled in The Art of War by Niccolò Machiavelli, and skilled via first-hand warfare experience in Europe and at sea, Captain John Smith is very likely the reason why Jamestown survived. His cartography skills and many publications of his New World explorations and experiences contributed to the founding of our earliest settlements and to their classless, democratic consciousness.

[Christopher Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for history buffs!
Excellently written history on the beginnings of the American experiment.

[Sheryll Waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wanting to know more about John Smith I had picked this book up while visiting Jamestown. I found it very readable and appreciated the way the author helps you know fact from fiction.

[Madalyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Mike Shoop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of the life and career of Captain John Smith, one of my favorite heroes, from his childhood in Lincolnshire, England, his tutoring by Francis Marbury (Anne Hutchinson's father), to his military exploits, voyages to the New World, his experiences at Jamestown (including meeting Pocahontas), and his life on returning to England. While I wish there was more factual information and corroboration concerning some of Smith's own stories, the author does a fine job of piecing together what is known and writing a pleasant narrative. I enjoyed reading about Smith's life after Jamestown, particularly his work as an explorer to New England--didn't know that he knew the Indian, Squanto, or that it was Smith who discovered the site of what later became Plymouth in Massachusetts--and his constant writing and promoting colonization in America. Interesting that Smith was beaten out by Myles Standish to go with the Separatists in 1620 on the "Mayflower," because of Smith's reputation as being a "difficult and truculent man." All in all, a solid biography of a courageous, mostly fearless, sometimes outrageous, ambitious leader and soldier of fortune who is a huge part of the history of our American nation.

[Steve Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life of Captain John Smith in the early 17th Century is, to read, exciting, enthralling and covers journeys from Emgland to the Mediterranean, to Eastern Europe and Russia and then across the Atlantic to the new English colony of Jamestown in Virginia and to his meeting with Pocahontas and her people. I think to live that life must have been quite stressful; he had enough adventures for a whole bunch of lives.
But there have always been suspicions that Smith made up most of his exploits. Peter Firstbrook has obviously spent a long time researching his man and his findings add to the enigma that is Smith, but they also vindicate a lot of his version of the events he recounts.
Smith was a complicated man whose lowly status meant he was despised by the ruling class and this clearly rankled and made his combative attitude more ingrained. Yet this extraordinary leader is one of us and I found myself cheering him on in his labours.
The writing is clear, authoritative and insightful, making the book a pleasure to read. I am really impressed by the amount we can know about such a man, who lived 400 years ago.

[Ricky Carrigan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pretty solid account of the life and times of Captain John Smith, especially considering the scant primary source material available. He was a mercenary for the French army, he fought against the Ottoman Empire, was sold into slavery, escaped via horseback across Russia, became a pirate, shipwrecked and sentenced to hang, escaped again, then did the whole Jamestown thing. All before turning 30 years old. The guy had a pretty eventful life.

[Kiki Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. We all know the traditional story of John Smith and Pocohontas and good teachers will analyze parts of this story. This book breaks down all the known details of Smith's life, many of which come from his own writings, and analyzes the veracity of each claim. It is a really interesting premise and an enjoyable read. If it comes out in paperback I will assign it for my class.

[Daniel Farabaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does a good job with difficult source material. John Smith had a tendency to exaggerate, to put it nicely, so the author had to weigh all the information carefully. He is very upfront with these difficulties and it added to the depth. The one failing is his need to constantly refer back to a Machiavelli work Smith read. It is a bit tiring. But other than that a good read.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad, quick overview of John Smith's life. Well done, and useful biography.

[Genevieve Cocchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little long-winded, but an interesting book. I never knew John Smith did all this stuff beyond meeting Pocahontas.