COLONIAL GOVERNOR

This illustrated volume, one of the Catholic juvenile series entitled, American Background Books, contains the story of Thomas Dongan, the Catholic colonial governor of the province of New York in the seventeenth century under James II of England. In keeping with the aim of the series as a whole, which treats of Catholic who have made important contributions to American history, this volume stresses human interest and adventure and will undoubtedly tend to foster pride in the American and Catholic heritage. Extremely well written, the present book is also apparently based on thorough, objective historical scholarship. Pre-revolutionary locales, characters and events are vividly recreated. Particular interest is aroused by descriptions of the old city of New York and its inhabitants as prefiguring the New York of today. A great deal of historical information and understanding can be gained from the book as it sketches the interesting character of its hero against the background of English, French, Dutch and Indian encounters in the colonial province of New York. Sympathy and admiration are evoked in connection with the character and fortunes of the governor.