White Slaves of Maquinna: John R. Jewitt's Narrative of Capture and Confinement at Nootka

Very good. Interesting story and hard to put down. My advice is buy it !

I heard of this book as being a classic of 'Narrative' writing. I have not read other 'Narratives' before and this has indeed whet my appetite. This version is divided into chapters (I believe the original may not be)and has fore and aft modern essays, the aft which goes into some detail of how the original book was received and John Jewitt's subsequent life, the details of which I found to be underwhelming. There are pictures throughout the book, photos and sketches (not in the original), which are a great addition. I would recommend this version over the original for the casual reader but purists may prefer the original. My only disappointment after completing the book was that it was not longer and go into more detail as certainly it had the potential. I am undecided whether this book will make it to my bookshelf or I will pass it on to someone else.Jeff Goh

Definitely worth a read. Not a difficult read.

If you love West Coast Native / Aboriginal history (or live on Vancouver Island), you will dig this true story.I travel to Nootka Island yearly. You can feel the history there... and from this book -- I know the history a little better, too. Nootka Island is a paradise, their people lived there for 1000s of years before the Spanish and English (Captain Cook) arrived.Most Natives got screwed/tricked on their first meeting with white people -- not Chief Maquinna! Jewitt's journal is much more graphic and interesting than what I learned from tourist magazines. Just an amazing story.

Ohhhhh man I played a music show in Tahsis once called pillage in the village... Little did I know this is where McQuinna had the winter village. This book is cool.

I love these true life survival books, this was great. My only complaint is in the follow up, it mention that Jewitt died age 38, not telling us how. Perhaps it's simply not known. Either way a great read on stone age culture, in a place not so far away, and not so long ago.

Loved this book