On The Trail Of Vikings, Conquistadors, Lost Colonists, And Other Adventurers In Early America
By Tony Horwitz
This is book is part history, part modern day retracing of European exploration of America in the 1500s. It starts with Vikings and ends up with the Pilgrims. Horwitz meets lots of colorful characters along the way, but this is a tale of murder and mayhem as invaders work their way across a continent. When you visit an early settlement praising missionaries it might be a more than a tourist trap, it might also be a crime scene. Here is a quote from the book:
“These guys were psychopathic nutballs. Celebrating them is like idolizing Charles Manson.” -Chris Meier
He reminds us of the the Spanish document called the Requerimiento. It was read to the natives by a priest who accompanied the conquistadors as justification for their attacks. Imagine doing your job or sitting in your house and having a bunch of armed men surround it and read a piece of paper in a language you don’t understand. It was essentially a document where you agree that you are evil and dangerous, must give up your livelihood, home and soul! Would you sign it? Another quote:
“It was all paper. And paper could kill you.” – A woman from the Chickhomint Tribe
The natives did not surrender. Instead they took to the hills and fought like guerillas. They looked for every opportunity to pick off the invaders one by one. The conquistadors had to look over their shoulders as they retreated back to their haciendas, skinnier and on the run. The diseases they brought were as deadly as their swords. When the next wave of invaders arrived the natives were decimated by disease. Survivors never forgot and the struggle for identity goes on to this day. Another quote:
“I’d say. ‘Yes we’re black, and also white, and Indian too. A melting pot. Isn’t that what it means to be American?’”- Charles Shepard
The odd part is that ultimately the invaders took on the characteristics of the natives. During the American Revolutionary War, many British officers complained that the rebels “fought like Indians.” We’ll take that as a compliment.
Copyright 2009 DJ Cline All rights reserved.