At the turn of the seventeenth century, Peter Stuyvesant was just a child in Holland studying for the ministry. At heart, though, Peter was an adventurer. He wanted a life of action and he knew that he would never be satisfied with the ministry. Instead of taking his examinations for the pulpit, he impulsively signed up as a soldier with the Dutch West India Company and set forth for Brazil. He became a hardy soldier, able to withstand the rigors of the jungle; and before too many years had passed he became the military adviser on colonial problems to the directors of the West India Company. He was further rewarded by being made Governor of Curaçao. The Portuguese were interfering with Dutch trade in the West Indies and Peter led a naval expedition to rout them. He was severely wounded in battle, returned to Amsterdam and had his leg amputated below the knee.

Peter thought his career was ended, but the faith of Judith, the girl he loved, his sister Anna, and the decision of the West India Company to replace the Director-General of New Netherlands with a more prudent man, brought Peter out of retirement. Peter and his family sailed for North America.

He was delighted with the rich, new lands that lay along the Hudson, the wonderful harbor and the possibilities he saw in the island of Manhattan itself. But being Director-General was not an easy job. The Dutch were harassed by the Indians on the one hand and by the covetous English on the other. Getting supplies, ammunition and money for the upkeep of the defense of New Netherlands was not easy. The directors at home were too far from the problems to understand, and they were more interested in the furs and trade to be had in New Netherlands than in its defense.

Peter Stuyvesant always remained loyal to the West India Company and he led the Dutch soldiers in warfare despite his wooden leg. The time came when he had to bow to the superior forces of the English. Rather than plunge the people into a war that meant total annihilation, he handed over the territory to the English. He was called back to The Hague to explain his conduct and defend his stand. Peter returned to the new world, a happy man who had seen most of his ambitions fulfilled, and died at his farm in...New York City.

From the dust jacket