Introduction
How life was lived in colonial America was different from how present Americans lived. Colonial life was shaped and influenced by various factors. The importance of these factors did not only vary because of American origin but because they occurred at the same time when American origin was being established. We can also say that America was shaped by the presence of resources as well as America’s geography but on the other side American was highly shaped by gender, religion, violence and race. All these factors were well incorporated by Freeman in his composition ‘in everyday life in Early America’ that was composed in 1988. His book is clear in providing colorful description of the lives of early Colonial Americans and the wide assumptions held about American settlers during the 17th century.
The first volume in Freeman’s composition provides a sequence of rich and detailed survey that looks into the lives lived by early colonialists. In his discussion, we learn for example that the presence of trees ( a concept that was already becoming scarce in the England during the 17th century) was a great asset for first American dwellers in providing fences, houses and heat. With the plenty of trees, we also learn the plenty in supply of food. First American families chose to live in log cabins, sod houses that were introduced by Swedes and when they are away from home, they were forced to live with insects and pests they were not familiar with. There were few diversions according to David and the classic structure of gathering in church became a trend. However, in this engaging account of life, Freeman stresses on how life was better for Americans of the old time. Freedom was in excess but what he thinks is more important lies in the idea of having plenty to eat.
This book by David Hawke can be termed as an enlightening composition. This book provides its audience with a detailed account of how the early settlers in the United States live. In a nutshell, the book is a simple narration of the history of the early settlers in the US. Hawke tries to maintain the geographical concept in the history of American early settlers by discussing their physical environment as the primary factor that determines how people during the time conducted themselves. The author discusses how early settlers came to the United States with a hope of maintain their traditions and beliefs in a new land. Unfortunately, with the physical environment they found in the United States, the early settlers were forced to find means of survival by adapting to the way of life in America.
The early settlers begun to have a slow understanding of the only way they needed to survive through modifying the patterns of survival. The time, in which Hawke was making this composition, this was the time brethren’s and criminals were being transported from Great Britain to America. These Bethens and criminals were given a choice to either move to the US or sentenced to death. The seventh century during that time was full of land dedicated to farming and so many people immigrated to the US to settle down in a land full of farming activities. This composition is a detailed account of how the first houses in the US were developed with a history of how huts were designed and constructed in the seventh century US. This composition is basically for history students who wish to study the history and development of US, how early settler influence the culture and beliefs in the US and the establishments of US. All David Hawke books cover some form of historical developments and past patterns that can be used by history students to gain more historical knowledge. In addition to this book, Hawke has also composed Nuts and Bolts of the past: A history of America Technology (1976-1860). John D. The founding father of the Rockefellers (1980), Paine 1974, In the Midst of a Revolution (1980), A transaction of Free Men: The Birth and Course of the Declaration of Independence (1989) and Honorable season of 1976.
In all his books, Hawke majors on presenting historical information that give knowledge to history students on the development of their country. Everyday life in America traces well the history of America as well as the major events that shaped their history. In his book, Hawke claims that adults lived longer in the past than it was believed and that most early settlers of ancient America were craftsmen, artisans and had knowledge of farming. He also claims that most pioneers of ancient America were not young and their families were not as large as present day America. His claims are true because looking at the historical data that contains how ancient America was populated compared to now, we evidently see how the country had fewer people who concentrated on farming, crafting and artisan. This does not change my belief at all because even before reading this book, I believed America and Americans were more composed in the past than in the present. This book comes to strengthen my previous belief about ancient America. The book is not too long and the contents are informative.
In David’s development, America is discussed from the aspect of early settler influence where the author brilliantly gives us how present America was shaped.
