Island at the Center of the WorldBy: Russell Shorto
Category: NONFICTION
Guide Created By: Marni
Discussion Leader(s): Marni and JoanK
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Guide DescriptionThe Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan, the Forgotten Colony that Shaped America.
Plot SynopsisThe Dutch Colonial history, lost when the English seized Manhattan from the Dutch in 1644, was not destroyed. It is now emerging as a remarkable story containing a forgotten American Patriot and illuminating the foundations for New York City and the American culture. Russell Shorto, using records discovered in old archives, has created “a gripping narrative - a story of global sweep centered on a wilderness called Manhattan." (Publisher)
Questions
For Your Consideration
Part 1 -- Prologue: The Missing Floor, Chapter 1 “The Measure of Things,” Chapter 2 “The Pollinator", 1st ½ Chapter 3 “The Island”:
1. What roles did John Dee, Gemma Frisius, Peter Plancius, and Gerhard Kremer play in the founding of New York City? How did the Mercator map change the world?
2. What was the relationship between England and the Dutch Republic and what was a key important difference between these two countries? What was the relationship between Spain and the Netherlands? What were some events which led to the creation of the Dutch Republic?
3. What were some particularly Dutch characteristics in the 17th century as described by Shorto? Which features of the 17th century Dutch Republic helped to make New York unique and influence America “in some elemental ways” according to Shorto?
4. What was the business of the Moscovy Company? Dutch East India Company? Dutch West India Company? What was the relationship between the power of the Dutch India companies and the power of the Dutch Republic in the world?
5. For what purpose did the Dutch East India Company hire Henry Hudson, an Englishman? What difficulties did he and his crew face on their voyages? Did Hudson achieve his life’s goal? What role did he play in the Dutch claim for New Netherland and why does Shorto call Hudson a “pollinator”?
6. Who were the first settlers in New Netherland and why did they move there? Where did they first settle in America and how did they make their living?
7. What was the initial relationship between the native Americans and the Dutch settlers? What significant event occurred impacted settlement at Fort Orange in 1626 and why did it happen?
8. What kind of a man was Peter Minuit and what were some of his important first decisions as commander of New Netherland?
9. Shorto describes New Netherland as a “Babel of peoples.” What made it a Babel and how did this make New Netherland different from other settlements in 17th century North America?
10. What 20th century events, people, and organizations have enabled us to learn about the “lost” history of New Netherland and the early Dutch contributions to the formation of America?
Part 2 -- 2nd ½ Chapter 3 “The Island”, Chapter 4 “The King, the Surgeon, the Turk, and the Whore,” Chapter 5 “The Lawman”:
Part 3 -- Chapter 6 "The Council of Blood," Chapter 7 "The Cause," Chapter 8 "The One-Legged Man":
Part 4 -- Chapter 9 "The General and the Princess," Chapter 10 "The People’s Champion," Chapter 11 "An American in Europe":
Part 5 -- Chapter 12 "A Dangerous Man," Chapter 13 "Booming":
Part 6 -- Chapter 14 "New York," Chapter 15 "Inherited Features," "Epilogue":
Interesting InformationResources on the Internet
Jansson-Visscher Map
New Amsterdam map
A Description of the New Netherlands by Adriaen van der Donck:
Remonstrance of New Netherland
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