Between Two Worlds

How the English Became Americans

By: Malcolm Gaskill

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Over 350,000 intrepid English men, women, and children migrated to America in the 17th century, leaving behind their homeland for an uncertain future on distant shores. Whether they settled in Jamestown, Salem, or Barbados, these early English migrants - entrepreneurs, soldiers, and pilgrims alike - sought to re-create their old country in the new land.

Yet as Malcolm Gaskill reveals in Between Two Worlds,colonists' efforts to remake England and retain their Englishness proved impossible. As they strove to leave their mark on the New World, they too were altered: by harsh wilderness, by illness and infighting, and by bloody battles with Indians. Gradually acclimating to their new environment, later generations realized that they were perhaps not even English at all. These were the first Americans, and their newfound independence would propel them along the path toward rebellion.

A major work of transatlantic history, Between Two Worlds brilliantly illuminates the long, complicated, and often traumatic process by which English colonists became American.

©2014 Malcolm Gaskill (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Entertaining and well narrated

I enjoyed listening to the individual stories through their letters. By linking the historical events with real people’s life stories, you can get a better understanding of the colonization of the American colonies as well as the views of those in England. Very interesting history book.

very balanced and educational

very balanced and educational book and easy to listen to reader. It took a while, but I am glad I listened to the whole book.

Slow narration

I was able to listen at 1.6 x speed. Otherwise a good performance. Much redundancy.

story of the peopling/colonizing of n america

Very enjoyable narrative history of the colonizing of N America, with particular focus on Virginia & New England, with side glances at the Caribbean & Bermuda. The author provides a new perspective on the period by including the relationship with the old country, Great Britain, how the tumultuous 17th century in GB influenced developments in the colonies & vice versa.