Lee Miller’s book, Roanoke: Solving the Mystery of the Lost Colony, is an incredible illustration of a historical masterpiece that aimed at exploring certain unresolved truths. It was published in 2001 by Arcade Publishing. The author provides explicit and persuasive justifications for the disappearance of the 16th century British settlements that were located on the Roanoke Island, off the state of North Carolina.
Besides, the book investigates the perceived land disputes and intrigues pitting the British and Native Americans (Miller 1). Subsequently, Miller establishes various reasons behind the British settlers’ disappearance from the Island. Remarkably, she narrates a heartbreaking and untold account of the misunderstandings between the settlers and the Native Americans that resulted in a historical disaster.
In seeking historical answers, Miller applies ethno historical analysis and anthropology to remove the “fog” that had long surrounded the mystical withdrawal of the colonists. By combining history and arts, she leaves readers who are also interested in knowing the fate of the colonialists with an impeccable taste of historical conundrums. By giving fresh evidence behind the mystery, Miller seeks to offer an exceptionally balanced overview of the diverse possibilities behind the conspiracy theory.
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Firstly, she points at an irritable figure at Sir Francis who was the Queen’s advisor, a possible mastermind behind the mystery. In addition, she ascertains that the tragedy can trace its roots to the walls of Westminster and not at the shores of the island. The Queen’s inner circles, as Miller attests, were behind the ultimate failure of this mission to occupy the Roanoke Island (Miller 45). Therefore, the author further explores the perceived fate of the settlers who had come face-to-face with a very hostile world that was still struggling to recover from the mayhems caused by foreign invasions.
Miller’s arguments are succinct and plausible to make it easier for anybody to relate and establish certain underlying reasons behind the mystery. Her prose is undeniably commanding as she seeks to speculate on the underlying reasons behind the inevitable departure of the British colonialists. Using a language that is understandable, Miller offers an exciting scrutiny of this great American historical event. Her conclusions on comprehensive research can be described as convincing (Durschlag 135).
Miller further exposes the intellectual breadth and literary elegance in her attempt to unveil the mystery. She has also exposed higher levels of anthropological acumen allowing her to venture deep into her investigative work. The book is indisputably compelling for any reader with the inherent desire to learn about the American colonial histories. Distinctively, Miller’s use of various anthropological tools and ideas finally provides in-depth analysis of the “Lost Colony.”
This Lee Miller’s ethno-historical masterpiece is specifically designed using vivid styles with the primary aim of replicating new insights on the Roanoke Island’s mystical disappearances. She does not shy away from asking intriguing questions that past historians should have sought from relevant authorities. In her narration, Lee Miller has provided thrilling tales of court intrigues, spy networks, betrayal, sabotage, the social-economic and political dynamics of the Native Americans and colonial influence. Indeed, Miller was relatively successful in shedding some light on a mystery that has remained unresolved for over 400 years. The subsequent results derived from her work are believable as the author has historical backings.
Furthermore, Miller’s masterful use of language and explicit description of events leaves the readers thrilled for related historical detective stories. However, the book purely relies on the subjective opinions of the author. Most of the information is obtained from primary sources (Durschlag 139). Therefore, the inclusion of the primary notes would have made more sense because it would have enabled the reader to understand clearly how Miller has arrived at most of her conclusions. Moreover, the book is deeply related to numerous geographic issues. Nevertheless, the author has not included geographical maps to further illustrate her writing.
Moreover, the book has also provided little information on the Elizabethan England and the power struggles in the Queen’s cabinet that was directly linked to the American mystery. Although she has provided a unique approach to unravel the issue, Miller’s conclusions were not very different from what other past historians had suggested. For instance, she gives a weak and an easily challenged conclusion that the colonists’ religious affiliation would have been a major factor behind their disappearance from the island. Such arguments were purely based on speculations and cannot be used to ascertain the historical developments behind the mystery of the lost colony.
Overall, Lee Miller has created an awe-inspiring and enthralling historical text. The book can boast of unique details that are also fascinating. Different historians who have attempted to explore this American mystery have omitted most of her avowals. Despite some shortcomings, the book’s striking design is unrivaled, the lively prose and trappings of the mystical story are breathtaking, and the author’s conclusions are pulsating. The book deserves scholarly accolades and is highly recommended to various historical writers and students.
