Read The Island at the Center of the World, Russell Shorto’s 2004 book on the Dutch origins of New York City. Shorto, an American, was granted Dutch knighthood for strengthening the relationship between the Netherlands and the United States five years after the publication of this text.
A major theme in the book is the role of character and motivation in colonization. How does the author characterize the major players in this historical saga? What are their major motivations, and how do these play out throughout the entire history? Consider how Shorto describes the site of the early colony. What types of spaces would these figures have inhabited in the new colony? Think about the wealth of historical details provided by the author as well as what you have learned in class about New Amsterdam.
Write a 4-5 page response to Shorto’s book addressing these questions and critiquing his methods. Remember to make reference to Shorto’s text in your paper, through footnotes or in-text citations.