Many factors lead to the failure of establishing Roanoke Island as the first English colony in North America. The lost colonists at Roanoke Island must have felt betrayed by Sir Walter Ralegh and England both as they were left unaided for years. The colonist, while fighting off the ever present fear of attacks from Native Americans and The Spanish, also would have had to learn to survive on their own as supplies ran out and hope fading. The book A Kingdom Strange written by James Horn gives a very deep, detailed view into the tragic events at Roanoke Island. Comparatively, the textbook Give Me Liberty provides only the vaguest of details about the events of Roanoke Island’s history. Analyzing these two different interpretations of the historic …show more content…
Historically speaking, value would mean detailed and well researched; while also providing the reader with an understanding of history, answering the questions of how and why. A vague overview of what happened in North America during the 1580s provides no knowledge of history. Value, in history, is in the details, Give Me Liberty provides no depth as to how the Roanoke colony is started as a business venture by Walter Ralegh. Ralegh’s business model was to establish a home base on North America for privateering raids on Spanish treasure. A Kingdom Strange even gives the details of how Ralegh uses his charm on Queen Elizabeth to get the rights of such a business venture. “With little or no support from the crown” from Give Me Liberty robs the readers of the details of how and why Ralegh’s venture could not get the funding. Horn’s readers are shown how the hostilities of Spain towards England and its impact on colonizing North America. While Give Me Liberty only references the supply ship arriving in 1590, not that it was delayed for three years, or that it was preparation of war that delayed it. Give Me Liberty in this case is only providing an overview of when things happened, no details