Pritchard (Native American Studies, Pace University and Vassar College) describes the first encounters between the expedition of explorer Henry Hudson and the Algonquin people of what is now New York State. Using expedition journals, archival materials, and Algonquin oral histories, the author shows these encounters from both native and European perspectives. By reconstructing Hudson's voyage up the river that now bears his name, the book connects that voyage to the Algonquin prophecy of the Fourth Fire which, today's Algonquins maintain, foretold the arrival of the Europeans down to the exact day. This book will appeal to readers interested in the European exploration of North American and the early history of New York. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)