英文读书报告——约翰史密斯

A Book Report of John Smith:A Foothold in the New World English name:xxxx, Chinese Name:xxxx, PG 12 The book that I have chosen to read is a biography called John Smith:A Foothold in the New World.It is written by a couple whose names are Janet and Geoff Benge.This book tells us the life experience of Englishman John Simth who is an explorer,a colonist and also an author. The story began in 1588 when John was an eight year old boy.John was born in Willoughby,England and his father was not only a tenant farmer but also a landholder there.Unlike any other young boy in his hometown who would be content to work on the farm and be grateful that one day he would be inheriting his own piece of land, John was fascinated by searching for adventures.Since his dream was to become like Sir Francis Drake, John wished that one day he could go to the New World for himeself.At age sixteen, he left home after his father died. John began his travels by joining a mercenary company in France who were fighting for Dutch independence from Spain.Two years later, on the voyage to Italy, he was thrown overboard because of his different religious status from the others.Forunately,he managed to survive.Then he joined Austrian forces to fight the Turks.As a valiant solider, John was promoted to captain while fighting in Hungary.However, trouble awaited him when he was fighting in Transylvania.There his troop fell in a trap of the Turks, John was wounded in battle, captured, and sold as a slave to a Turk.The Turk then sent him to Lady Charatza in Istanbul as a gift.Before long he was on the move again by his mistress who sent him to her brother in Cambia.Undoubtedly,life as a slave was very afflicted.Smith escaped successfully by murdering the brother and returned to Transylvania by a long tough journey through Russia.After being released from service and receiving a good reward that he deserved, John traveled all through Europe and he returned to England in the winter of 1605. As the new year came, Captain John Smith was engaged in a new project that he had dreamt of since his childhood.The Virginia Company which was given a charter by King James was preparing to explore and settle North America.Smith was actively involved in the plan and won himself an influential role in the expedition.After setting sail on January 1st, 1607, the three ships finally arrived the coast of North America on April 26,1607 after a long voyage over four months.Even though John’s name was on the list of the seven council members who were to govern the colony, he was expelled and had no real power because of his bad relationship with some other council members.On May 13, 1607, the settlers landed on a site for their new community, which they named the Jamestown, in honor of King James.Although the colony was settled, building Jamestown was obviously not an easy task. Harsh weather, lack of water, living in a swampy wilderness and attacks from the native Indians almost destroyed the colony.To help his fellows last through the cold winter, Smith went out bartering with the nearby Indian tribes and came back with food which was so precious during that time.Then on a trip exploring the Chickahominy River, Simth was captured and taken to Chef Powhatan.The chef would have killed Smith’s life without plead of the chief's daughter, Pocahontas.In September 1608, Smith was elected the president of the local council and issued his “He that will not work shall not eat” policy.Under his leadership, Jamestown was growing well.A year later, Smith was seriously injured by a gunpowder burn.He then returned to England for treatment. In 1614, John Smith returned to the coastline of North America with two ships from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to Rhode Island.He named the area “New England”.Back from this trip, the two ships were carried with plenty of salted fish and finest furs John had traded with local Indian tribes.Even though this journey was great success, John did not realize that this was his last time to North America.The next two attempts all failed.First was due to the storm which broke his ship and the second venture was failed because of French pirates’ attacks.Though John managed to escape successfully and made his way back to England, he never got another chance to leave England again.In his later years, John put himself into writing his experience in Virginia and New England and publishing his books.His books encouraged more English men to explore the New World.In 1631, John died in London at the age of 51 and this put an end to his legendary life. As far as I am concerned, I am very fond of this book.In fact, I am fascinated by John Smith’s legend just as John is fascinated by his hero,Sir Francis.Reading about all these incredible experiences that has gone through John’s whole life makes my blood boil.How I wish I could go on a expedition and explore a piece of unknown land on my own.Fighting as a soldier, being enslaved by enemies, being captured by Indian tribes, taking prison by priates and getting injured by fire, all these could have killed him too many times.However, John survives every time.I really admire the braveness and courage that Smith has in his heart.From the book, I realize that since what future holds for everyone is unsure, I should also be brave enough to chase my dream no matter how hard it seems. Cite Reference [1] Janet&Geoff Benge. John Smith:A Foothold in the New World (1st Edition). The United States of America: Emerald Books, 2006.