Champlain's Dream

Starred review from September 8, 2008
Fischer, Pulitzer Prize–winner for Washington's Crossing
, has produced the definitive biography of Samuel de Champlain (1567–1635): spy, explorer, courtier, soldier, sailor, ethnologist, mapmaker, and founder and governor of New France (today's Quebec), which he founded in 1608. This extraordinary and flawed individual was a man of war who dreamed of establishing a peaceful nation in the New World. Fischer once again displays a staggering and wide research, lightly worn, including no fewer than 16 fascinating appendixes covering everything from the “Indian Nations in Champlain's World, 1603–35” to Champlain's preferred firearm. The bibliography is equally impressive, and the same should be said of Fischer's literary skills and approach. He does not have “a thesis, or a theory, or an ideology,” but instead answers questions (“Who was this man? What did he do? Why should we care?”) to weave together his epic story. With 2008 the 400th anniversary of the foundation of New France, the time is ripe for this outstanding work. 16 pages of color photos; b&w photos, maps.

Starred review from October 1, 2008
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Fischer's magnificent account of the life and times of French explorer Samuel de Champlain, founder of Quebec, provides a signal analysis of his dream of peaceful coexistence in North America in which natives and nonnatives, Catholics and Protestants, share the land as equals and give birth to a renewed form of civilization. Fischer offers a detailed account based on thorough research, including the work of noted Canadian historian Marcel Trudel, too often ignored in America, and made more interesting by many illustrations and maps. The book follows its biographical chapters with separate thematic chapters wherein Fischer answers related questions touching upon European wars of religion, colonial exploitation, and the reason why Canada experienced far fewer armed conflicts involving the First Nations than the United States did. The emphasis placed on cartography is welcome, as is the repeated discussion of leadership, always a subject of interest in election years. Recommended for public libraries, high school libraries, and all post-secondary institutions. [See Prepub Alert, "LJ" 6/15/08.]Gilles Renaud, Cornwall, Ont.

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from October 1, 2008
Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec four centuries ago, and theinterveningyears haveseenhis historical treatmentswing from hagiography to iconoclasm.Noting the extremes, Fischer seeks out a realistic Champlain in his formative influences, personal qualities, and purposes in establishing New France. Not surprisingly from the author of the outstanding Washingtons Crossing (2004), Fischer marvelously achieves his aim. Framing Champlains maturation within Frances religious civil wars, Fischer argues that his experience with atrocity and fanaticism caused Champlain to aspireto a more equitable and humane pacification of conflict, the dream Fischers title references. In practical terms, Champlains military and maritime education in the 1590s schooled him in the conduct of arms and ships vital to the explorations on which he subsequently embarked, while his possible status as an illegitimate son of King Henri IV might have been a factor in the royal support he obtained for his ventures.NarratingChamplains activities in North America is where Fischer excels, both in his chronicle of events and his analysis of Champlains leadership, political and commercial backing, and diplomacy with the native peoples. Fischers comprehensive, incisive portrayal will enthrall the Age of Discovery audience.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)