Plymouth Plantation and The General History of Virginia

The two selections Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford and The General History of Virginia by John Smith are some of the earlier pieces of American literature.
Although they were both written in the same time period the style and attitudes vary greatly. William Bradford had a very direct form of writing; commonly known as "plain puritan" style, whereas, John Smith had a somewhat confusing, more elaborate, writing style. Bradford's piece also seemed more accurate than John Smith's account. For example, John Smith wrote of his capture by "...three hundred bowmen, conducted by the king of Pamunkee..." which seems more than a little exaggerated. …