This book is the definitive reference on Champlain and the birth of French America. It discusses not only the beginnings of L'Acadie, its development, and the difficulties of colonization but also looks at France during Champlain’s time and analyses how he has been remembered. Lavishly illustrated, Champlain brings together the thirty-two maps attributed to him, reproduced for the first time in colour, as well as illustrations of numerous rare artifacts, documents, and a selection of drawings by Champlain.