Hey folks; was wondering if ya'll could recommend any fairly readily available books/sources on life in, and the economics and politics around, the founding of the early American colonies. Particularly interested in the functioning of and culture within the various companies chartered by the English crown to establish colonies. But also interested in life in, and differences between, the very earliest 16th and 17th century ventures.
No necessarily looking for sensational tales of disapearing colonies, but more a level headed looks at what the political, social, and day to day function life landscape was for the people in the colonies, and the corporations sometimes involved.
Thanks all.
I'll offer up Alan Taylor's American Colonies. It's an excellent overview that is broken down by region and period. Pretty easy read at about 500 pages.
Also, check Colonial America: Essays in Politics and Social Development from Routledge. I disagree with their inclusion of Diamond (though he raises good points - that, as always, should be fact checked) but the rest of the included essays are excellent for an understanding of the early colonies and what life was like. They're on the 6th edition, so you should be able to find an earlier copy for relatively cheap.
Also, the podcast Ben Franklin's World is a great introduction as they interview scholars about their work in the field. I've found a number of books through it.