American Colonies: The Settlement of North America to 1800 (Penguin History of the United States) Paperback – Illustrated, 31 July 2003

Excellent, fast-paced account of the "colonization" of the North American continent. Throughout, the author makes the point that first "colonizers" were there millennia before the Europeans rediscovered the continent in the 15th century. Interesting and very readable.

Well researched, pithy, a new slant for me on the real history the American 'wilderness' as we have assumed it to be. Highly recommended

I found this a very interesting book. I had wanted to fill in the gaps between Colombus and the American Revolution and this book did a superb job at that. I thought it was a well-written and user-friendly book that succeeded in keeping my attention throughout. Colonial American history lasted longer than US history has so far done and it was instructive to chart the gradual transformations of how in an unknown and challenging land societies evolved from a few starving and failing 'plantations' to the wealthy, healthy and thriving cummunities of some million and a half people on the eve of their challenging and winning independence from the mother country.The role that Indians and Africans played in this drama is dealt with proportionately and sympathetically along with examining the diverse mix of nationalities, the various religious and economic motivations driving colonisation, the 'pushes and pulls' of emigration, European rivalries and how this all coalesced to produce the nation that was to become the United States of America.In this 21st century, if you want to understand the American psyche then you need to look at its infancy and formative years.

I loved this book. There’s so much to read and it’s not just the usual old stuff. It covers so much more.

I read this book for my own enjoyment as this is my very favourite part of American history - the life and struggles of the colonists that established the original 13 colonies and the United States

This is a very good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Alan Taylor is a distinguished historian and an excellent writer. This is a thorough introduction to the settlement of North America full of interest and information.

Fantastic book if you wish to understand American Colonisation pre and post. I thought I knew a lot about slavery and the original settlements of America but this book proved to be most insightful and thought changing. Author does not beat around the bush, tells it like it is and argues with historians matched with compelling evidence. Brilliant for study or just as a bedtime book!

A very interesting journey through the early history of America as we know it.