Champlain’s Dream: The European Founding of North America

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In this sweeping, enthralling biography, acclaimed historian David Hackett Fischer brings to life the remarkable Samuel de Champlain -- soldier, spy, master mariner, explorer, cartographer, artist, and Father of New France. Born on France's Atlantic coast, Champlain grew to manhood in a country riven by religious warfare. The historical record is unclear on whether Champlain was baptized Protestant or Catholic, but he fought in France's religious wars for the man who would become Henri IV, one of France's greatest kings, and like Henri, he was religiously tolerant in an age of murderous sectarianism. Champlain was also a brilliant navigator. He went to sea as a boy and over time acquired the skills that allowed him to make twenty-seven Atlantic crossings without losing a ship. But we remember Champlain mainly as a great explorer. On foot and by ship and canoe, he traveled through what are now six Canadian provinces and five American states. Over more than thirty years he founded, colonized, and administered French settlements in North America. Sailing frequently between France and Canada, he maneuvered through court intrigue in Paris and negotiated among more than a dozen Indian nations in North America to establish New France. Champlain had early support from Henri IV and later Louis XIII, but the Queen Regent Marie de Medici and Cardinal Richelieu opposed his efforts. Despite much resistance and many defeats, Champlain, by his astonishing dedication and stamina, finally established France's New World colony. He tried constantly to maintain peace among Indian nations that were sometimes at war with one another, but when he had to, he took up arms and forcefully imposed a new balance of power, proving himself a formidable strategist and warrior. Throughout his three decades in North America, Champlain remained committed to a remarkable vision, a Grand Design for France's colony. He encouraged intermarriage among the French colonists and the natives, and he insisted on tolerance for Protestants. He was a visionary leader, especially when compared to his English and Spanish contemporaries -- a man who dreamed of humanity and peace in a world of cruelty and violence. This superb biography, the first in decades, is as dramatic and exciting as the life it portrays. Deeply researched, it is illustrated throughout with many contemporary images and maps, including several drawn by Champlain himself. Introduction: In Search of Champlain PART 1: A LEADER IN THE MAKING 1. A Child of Brouage 2. Two Men of Saintonge 3. Henri IV and Champlain 4. A Soldier in Brittany, 1594–98 5. A Spy in New Spain, 1599–1601 PART 2: EXPLORER OF ACADIA 6. Geographer in the Louvre, 1602 7. Tadoussac, 1603 8. Sainte-Croix, 1604–05 9. Norumbega, 1604–06 10. Port-Royal, 1605–07 PART 3: FOUNDER OF QUEBEC 11. Quebec, 1608–09 12. Iroquoia, 1609–10 13. Marie de Medici, 1610–11 14. Transatlantic Trials, 1611–15 15. Huronia, 1615–16 PART 4: BUILDER OF NEW FRANCE 16. The Court of Louis XIII, 1616–19 17. A Framework for New France, 1620–24 18. The Cardinal’s Ring, 1625–27 19. New France Lost, 1628–29 20. New France Regained, 1629–32 PART 5: FATHER OF FRENCH CANADA 21. Realizing the Dream, 1632–35 22. The Peopling of Quebec, 1632–35 23. The Cradle of Acadia, 1632–35 24. Trois-Rivières, 1634–35 25. Champlain’s Last Labor, 1635 Conclusion: A Leader’s Long Reach Memories of Champlain: Images and Interpretations, 1608–2008 APPENDICES Appendix A. Champlain’s Birth Date Appendix B. Champlain’s Voyages: A Chronology Appendix C. Champlain’s Brief Discours: Problems of Accuracy and Authenticity Appendix D. Champlain’s Published Writings: A Question of Authorship Appendix E. Champlain’s Traitté de la Marine: An Essay on Leadership Appendix F. Another Self-Portrait? Appendix G. Champlain’s Superiors: Viceroys and Generals of New France Appendix H. Trading Companies and Monopolies in New France, 1588–1635 Appendix I. Indian Nations in Champlain’s World, 1603–35 Appendix J. The Battle with the Mohawk in 1609: Where Did It Happen? Appendix K. The Attack on the Iroquois Fort in 1615: Which Fort? What Nation? Appendix L. Champlain’s Favored Firearm: The Arquebuse à Rouet Appendix M. Champlain’s Ships and Boats Appendix N. Champlain’s Weights and Measures Appendix O. Champlain’s Money Appendix P. Champlain’s Calendars