Instructions
In a short essay (3 – 5 pages seems reasonable), analyze the contents of A Kingdom Strange (“A Kingdom Strange: The Brief and Tragic History of the Lost Colony of Roanoke” Author: James Horn, Any edition ISBN 13: 978-0-465-02490-2) and give detailed answers to the following question prompts. The key to this analysis is to give specific examples with your responses. You need to cite exact page numbers and, occasionally, quote text from the book to support your answers. Much of your grade comes from how well you use specific examples.
What were the major motivations and inspirations for English settlement in North America? How were the motivations different for some of the people involved in the exploration and settlement of Roanoke? Give specific examples.
If you could use one word or phrase to summarize or encapsulate the failures of Roanoke, what would it be and why? Explain this point.
Roanoke was a disaster from the start. However, what steps could have been taken to ensure a better outcome for the fated colony? This is a hindsight question. The key to a good response is to explain the failures (with example and citation) and show how they could have been corrected.
The story of Roanoke continues to appear in modern popular culture (books, plays, movies- even a season of American Horror Story). In your opinion, why are people still fascinated by the lost colony of Roanoke?
As a concluding paragraph, give your thoughts on the book itself. Did you enjoy it? What worked, what did not work? Would you recommend this book to a friend or colleague? Give your general thoughts on the monograph.
