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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
I was surprised by how much I liked this book, considering I read it on a whim. It’s easy to read and especially interesting if you’re from the coast of MA— plenty of familiar towns and names.
This book was definitely more interesting than it looks, but still not something I'd just pick up to read. The author was able to write in an interesting and readable style, so the book went by really quickly. I feel like he tries to give a balanced account of things, neither the idyllic First Thanksgiving celebrated by children nor the overcorrections that have since happened. He focuses on how every side of the conflict had good qualities and bad, portraying every character as human.
There is also a very extensive list of notes and sources in the back. I didn't really go through them, but there's certainly a lot of further reading to be had should the reader be more interested in the subject.
There is also a very extensive list of notes and sources in the back. I didn't really go through them, but there's certainly a lot of further reading to be had should the reader be more interested in the subject.
A good narrator makes a huge difference in a reader's opinion of an audiobook. Thankfully this narrator is one I'm familiar with and happen to like.
Concerning the book itself:
The title is incredibly misleading. A book with such a name should deal with the journey of the pilgrims from start to finish with perhaps a bit of lead up and denouement. Instead, Philbrick uses this book as a launching point to tell the history of early colonial New England, an equally valid topic. It may seem nit-picky but I happen to believe that a book's title should deal with the main subject of the book, give the reader guidance as to what to expect when she opens the page (or presses play) to read. The inappropriate title is what kept me from giving this book a fourth star.
That criticism aside, I really did like the book. Philbrick put together a highly competent and comprehensive narrative. I knew much of the outline of this section of American history but very few of the details. At one point I did find myself wondering when the narrative had shifted from the Mayflower passengers to King Philip's war. I'll give Philbrick the benefit of the doubt as I may have missed a few tracks when I uploaded the CD.
Concerning the book itself:
The title is incredibly misleading. A book with such a name should deal with the journey of the pilgrims from start to finish with perhaps a bit of lead up and denouement. Instead, Philbrick uses this book as a launching point to tell the history of early colonial New England, an equally valid topic. It may seem nit-picky but I happen to believe that a book's title should deal with the main subject of the book, give the reader guidance as to what to expect when she opens the page (or presses play) to read. The inappropriate title is what kept me from giving this book a fourth star.
That criticism aside, I really did like the book. Philbrick put together a highly competent and comprehensive narrative. I knew much of the outline of this section of American history but very few of the details. At one point I did find myself wondering when the narrative had shifted from the Mayflower passengers to King Philip's war. I'll give Philbrick the benefit of the doubt as I may have missed a few tracks when I uploaded the CD.
Typical historical book, with some intriguing facts. The war narration and description runs a bit long but it definitely works to put in perspective the journey of our first settlers. I wish there had been more detail on the building of townships, particularly big, important ones like Boston.
Great historical account of all things Pilgrim/Plymouth Colony, myth and fact, going far beyond what we learn in grade school. My biggest takeaways were the two events that hurt English/Native American relationships: the Pequot War (1636-1638) and King Philip's War (1675-1678). It's a tragedy that the working relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag had soured during Plymouth Colony's 2nd generation. Both sides committed savage acts during King Philip's War, but it's difficult to place one's self in their place and context: the Natives feeling encroached by English land purchases and religious conversion, and also hit by the loss of population in the early 1600s; and the English feeling cornered in a new world, threatened by the French/Indian alliances, and committed to their often-counterproductive faith.
I love knowing more about our history, and the motivations that led English separatists to make a pilgrimage to what would soon be called New England, and the personal details and how folks lived (and died). But I grew tired of the chronological retelling of battles and squirmishes led by this general and that Indian sachem. This book and its hyper-masculine approach to history was fascinating. Until it wasn't. Which was pretty early on, unfortunately. Regardless, if you live in or love this part of the world or this era, you should give it a try.
Engaging telling of the history of the Mayflower - from when it pulled up to Plymouth Rock to forty years later when the entire area has been rocked by warfare.
Four stars is an average. Parts of this book were five stars (the Plymouth chapters, the wrap-up war chapters, and any parts of the book having to do with another brave escape by Benjamin Church), while other parts were more like three stars. I think I wouldn't have been so caught off guard by the mediocre middle chapters if this book had a different title. It isn't all about Plymouth. Its scope is much bigger, perhaps too big at times. But still - I liked this book, and I was glad to find out that Patricia Clapp didn't lie to me much in one of my favorite childhood books, [b:Constance a Story of Early Plymouth|1458597|Constance a Story of Early Plymouth|Patricia Clapp|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1183830717s/1458597.jpg|424833].
Wouldn't have picked this up on my own. It was selected for book club, and ultimately I'm pleased I read it. It wasn't the easiest read, but it was fascinating. I actually want to read further about a few people mentioned, especially Mary Rowlandson.
This wasn't exactly what I was expecting in terms of writing as well as the premise of the book.
I had anticipated the book to be written similarly to [b:In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex|17780|In the Heart of the Sea The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex|Nathaniel Philbrick|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1335902168s/17780.jpg|1640941], which had many facts but was similar to a novel in its storytelling.
Mayflower was rather dry and, whereas I did learn a great deal, I found myself drowning in a sea of facts. The book, as a friend had mentioned, reads more like a textbook, thus less enjoyable.
As far as the story, I was expecting to learn more about the voyage (although it was established that there isn't much in the way of resources on the journey) and about the social aspects in the Pilgrim and/or Puritan communities. I'd have to say that a quarter of the story revolved around community and culture with the other 3/4 dedicated to King Philip's War. Perhaps, the title should have indicated more about Pilgrim/Puritan and Native relations since that was the bulk of the book.
3 stars
I had anticipated the book to be written similarly to [b:In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex|17780|In the Heart of the Sea The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex|Nathaniel Philbrick|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1335902168s/17780.jpg|1640941], which had many facts but was similar to a novel in its storytelling.
Mayflower was rather dry and, whereas I did learn a great deal, I found myself drowning in a sea of facts. The book, as a friend had mentioned, reads more like a textbook, thus less enjoyable.
As far as the story, I was expecting to learn more about the voyage (although it was established that there isn't much in the way of resources on the journey) and about the social aspects in the Pilgrim and/or Puritan communities. I'd have to say that a quarter of the story revolved around community and culture with the other 3/4 dedicated to King Philip's War. Perhaps, the title should have indicated more about Pilgrim/Puritan and Native relations since that was the bulk of the book.
3 stars