 |
 First edition | |
| Author | David Hackett Fischer |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Johannes Vermeer, The Geographer - 1668/69 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | History |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
Publication date | 14 October 2008 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 834 p. (hardback edition) |
| ISBN | 9781416593324 (hardback edition) |
| OCLC | 780062304 |
Champlain's Dream: The European Founding of North America is a biography written by American historian David Hackett Fischer and published in 2008. It chronicles the life of French soldier, spy, master mariner, explorer, cartographer, artist, and "Father of New France," Samuel de Champlain.[1]
In this book, Fischer examines Champlain's personal impact on the establishment of a French colony in the New World—securing royal support despite opposition from formidable foes like Marie de' Medici and Cardinal Richelieu, negotiating with "Indian nations," and imbuing the new colony with humanist values.[2] He is also remembered for surviving 27 crossings of the North Atlantic in 37 years without ever losing a ship.[1] Despite never being the "senior official" of New France, Champlain functioned as an absolute ruler. As Fischer shows, Champlain's vision for New France—a vision shaped by his upbringing and experiences—helps explain both its triumphs and failures.[2]
Fischer has substantial experience using the life and perspective of a great leader to tell a broader historical narrative. He employed a similar structure in Washington's Crossing, for which he received the Pulitzer Prize in 2005.[2]
- ^ a b "Champlain's dream". sasklibraries.ca. Archived from the original on 2015-07-03. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
- ^ a b c Boot, Max (2008-10-31). "They Didn't Name That Lake for Nothing". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-01-07.