This combined collection is a pantheon of "American Fathers," founders of the American colonies who emigrated before the year 1701. Several hundred portraits--some by Rembrandt, Van Dyke, Sir Peter Lely, and Sir Godfrey Kneller, as well as portraits by lesser known hands, delight the reader at every turn. Taken altogether the work shows evidence of meticulous research and infinite care in production. The compiler offers a scholarly account of the origin and authenticity of each portrait along with extensive biographical and genealogical notes which, in themselves, constitute a formidable body of useful data.