This vivid, deeply moving book begins in London in 1620 as Pilgrim representatives sign a contract to purchase the freighter Mayflower. We accompany them on their harrowing voyage across the Atlantic, through the rigors of the first New England winter and the threat of Indian attack as they desperately search for the home they eventually find at Plymouth. Once there, they must continue the … struggle against brutal weather and disease.
With masterly skill, New York Times bestselling historian and novelist Thomas Fleming gives us life-size portraits of the Pilgrim leaders. The Pilgrims’ unique achievements — the Mayflower Compact, their tolerance of other faiths, the strict separation of church and state — are discussed in the context of the first year’s anxieties and crises. Fleming writes admiringly of the younger men who emerged in the first year as the real leaders of the colony — William Bradford and Miles Standish. And he provides new insights into the deep humanity and tolerance of the Pilgrims’ spiritual shepherd, Elder William Brewster.
On the first Thanksgiving, already in the Pilgrim mind is a dawning consciousness that they are the forerunners of a great nation. It is implicit in William Bradford’s words, “As one small candle may light a thousand, so the light kindled here has shone until many.…”
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Want to know the real story of the Pilgrims coming to America? This is the story.
Good information, but not brilliant writing.
Very informative and enjoyable. I learned somethings about the Pilgrims I previously did not know and really enjoyed reading this book.
It was fun to be reading this book just before Thanksgiving. Their Thanksgiving was a lot different than ours
Historically accurate about the Pilgrims’ early lives and all of the details of their planning for such a tremendous journey. Interesting specifics taken from actual writings by Bradford, a leader of the expedition, about Mikes Standish and others who made a difference in the success of this whole plan, even including actual native Americans with …
Great history on lives of Pilgrims from leaving England to first thanksgiving
I really enjoyed reading this book. It’s a pleasure to read something that is true history. Those people were really brave and determined to survive in a new, harsh world where they knew no one and faced dangers almost daily.
A very informative account of the Plymouth experience. a book I continued to think about after reading.
This is a good history of the trials and hardship that these hardy people endured to make a new life. The story of leaving Holland and England as well as negotiating for ships and supplies has not well told until now.
Good, quick easy read. It’s always good to review what you were taught (or should have been taught) in elementary school about the nation’s roots.
Book based on limited letters from Mayflower pilgrams during voyage very informative on the importance of faith and love which helped them overcome grave dangers. They founded the basis of our wondeful country!
Easy read.