Book Worm

I’m reading a book my mom loaned me. It’s called “The Island at the Center of the World” by Russell Shorto. It’s about New York. But the beginning, well, at the very least, the beginnings of Europeans in New York. Specifically, the Dutch.

It’s pretty good. Two things that I thought were interesting so far.

#1 The Dutch had a different understanding about land ownership than the English. And of course, in turn, the Indians had a different understanding about that then the Dutch. The Dutch believed you had to settle in a place, to own it. To claim it. The English believed you simply had to set foot somewhere no one else had been(European) and declare it, and it was yours. And then you have the Indians(Native Americans) who didn’t really believe in *owning* land per se. Which, I think we’ve all heard that before. But didn’t know the Dutch idea.

#2 Henry Hudson was abandoned by his crew on an ice floe to die.

You know, I think this sort of thing happens a lot to sea captains* of that day and age. The explorers at least. Because these explorers, they’ve got have this sort of moxy, this bold arrogance about them. And it’s definitely their tragic flaw. Because, without it, they never would get where they are going. But because of it, the crews grow resentful. And wouldn’t you? When you’ve no idea how far away from home you are, no idea if you’re going to see land again, no idea if you’re going to even get food again, or die out on the open sea. And your jerk captain keeps saying, ONWARD! We must find the Northwest Passage!

So that’s what happened to Henry Hudson. The lowered him down to the ice and left him there with all the sick crew as well(which included his very young son). So he got to sit there and watch his son die too. So he had that going for him too.

Anyway… I think there’s a sketch in there. Maybe a song too. What happens in those last few hours while you’re waiting to die. And you’re surrounded by a bunch of people to judge you.

* I think this at least happened to Magellan as well as Cooke. I’ll have to research to see what others where marooned by their crew.