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Rating: 
Summary: Misunderstood
Review: After reading the previous reviews I almost didn't purchase this book. But because I had read and enjoyed Prof. Royster's book on "Light-Horse Harry" Lee and I'm interested in colonial Virginia, I gave it a try. Charles Royster is The Boyd Professor of history at LSU, the recipient of the Brancroft and Lincoln Prizes and the Sydnor Award. Did I find this book "Highly captivating and intriguing"? No. (Don't expect some Wilbur Smith swashbuckler laced with pirates and gratuitous sex.) Did I find the book very readable, informative, well-researched, thought-provoking and would I recommend it to American history enthusiasts? Definitely.
Rating: 
Summary: s/b The Tedious History of Acct Records of 18th century UK
Review: Here here, "A reader from Fort Lauderdale, Florida"I bought this book due to my interest in history in the US Southeast, and in new ventures. The cover of this book promised "an eye-opening account of greed, folly and venture capitalism". Wrong! This history was meticulously researched, but reads like the many 18th century ledgers that the author no doubt examined. No story, little analysis, and just a brutal read. Somehow I persevered through to the end of this tome, but recommend the reader spend their time elsewhere. I wish I had.
Rating:
Summary: s/b The Tedious History of Acct Records of 18th century UK
Review: Here here, "A reader from Fort Lauderdale, Florida" I bought this book due to my interest in history in the US Southeast, and in new ventures. The cover of this book promised "an eye-opening account of greed, folly and venture capitalism". Wrong! This history was meticulously researched, but reads like the many 18th century ledgers that the author no doubt examined. No story, little analysis, and just a brutal read. Somehow I persevered through to the end of this tome, but recommend the reader spend their time elsewhere. I wish I had.
Rating: 
Summary: Colonial Economics
Review: This is an excellent study of life among the upper classes in Virgina and North Carolinia. This is the first book I have read that provides details on how many of the planter class struggled to keep their heads above water while trying to appear rich. I have often wondered what motives some of the elites had in joiing the American Revolution. Royster points out that more than a few of the planter class had strong economic reasons to sever ties with Britian in the hopes of freeing themselves from a mountain of debt.
Rating:
Summary: Colonial Economics
Review: This is an excellent study of life among the upper classes in Virgina and North Carolinia. This is the first book I have read that provides details on how many of the planter class struggled to keep their heads above water while trying to appear rich. I have often wondered what motives some of the elites had in joiing the American Revolution. Royster points out that more than a few of the planter class had strong economic reasons to sever ties with Britian in the hopes of freeing themselves from a mountain of debt.
Rating:
Summary: Misunderstood
Review: What my fellow reviews fail to realize is that this book's importance does not lie in the Dismal Swamp Company. Royster has woven a narrative that not only describes the economic climate in which America's elite lived, but also demonstrates that without the support of overseas investors our nation would not have been able to expand as quickly as it did. Granted, the Dismal Swamp Company represents a clear failure, but look at the investors. Prominent Englishman and Virginian planters poured money into this financial black hole. Why? For decades it returned little, if any, profit. The reason they kept investing was the belief that they could make something out of a most inhospitable plot of marshland. In short, do not get bogged down in all the names and places. Instead, think about the overall meaning of what you read.
Rating:
Summary: Change the title!
Review: When will publishers realize that Royster's books are just plain wierd? This book goes nowhere; after 100 pages of Va. genaologies, anecdotes, and poorly put together themes, the book barely mentions the Swamp and one cannot tell where in the world the author is going. He writes in a pleasing style but his subject is incredibly disjointed. The same was true of his earlier book "This Destructive War." I have given up on Royster; he has forgotten that a book has to have a subject and must deal with a subject in an orderly fashion.
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