Covers about a century from 1610 forward. The actual "pilgrims" and the initial settlement is only a small to medium part of the book. Much of it focuses on King Philips War between 2nd generation pilgrims and next generation of native american leaders.
This is a very good listen for the technical history buff. I enjoyed the easy narrative that almost gave me the feel of being with the pilgrims. The only fault I could find is it ended with the demise of the New England Indians. An update to modern times of Mayflower descendants would have been nice.
It's good to learn the details and stories behind what you thought you knew about this part of American history. The author shows what it took to survive, relationships with Indians and how that relationship changed over time. Beyond a bit too much personal detail at times, this book is an overall good read if you like history.
...history about a little known period of early American history. What I found interesting is that the New World was know by fisherman much earlier than the the first colonies.
It was a complex period of history with intersting character on both sides (Native American and English)
This was the most difficult to finish audio book I've ever listened to. The author added no depth to many of the significant events and individuals in the book. It was like, "oh by the way, she was convicted and hung in Boston Common." or, "on the way home, his boat capsized and he drowned in Chesapeake Bay." Then on to some other event. The author repeatedly glossed over interesting stories, and repeatedly lost my attention.
I began the book looking forward to the pilgrim aspect of the story, but actually found that the less entertaining part of the book. I found the discussion of the religious aspects tedious. The actual crossing is given short shrift. The real meat is in the analysis of the evolution of the relationship early settlers had with the indians.
The 1st half of the book sheds a good deal of light on the pilgrims and their relations with the indians.
However, as expressed in a previous review, the 2nd half drags. In the account of Phillips War, there seems to be an endless account of battles and names that seem to merge into one another, with very little to distinquish each character and event independently.
The Pilgrim story not glorified, not glamorized. Insight into the Indian - Settler relationship. Cohesive, Historical, storytelling. It was real, well done and flowed well until the King Philips War segments of which were disjointed just as the war was. It was scattered as the war was. A horrendous part of our early history not usually presented in our educatioal systems. Everyone should know the senerio portrayed. I learned and I liked it. Recommended
This book does a nice job of illuminating the real life of the Pilgrims, and with that it succeeds. The first half of the book is devoted to telling how the Pilgrims began their voyage, and their first two years in the colony. This part is excellent.
The second half deals with King Phillip's War, and it just feels disjointed. The narrative jumps around and feels less cohesive than the first half of the book.
Finally, George Guidall normally does an excellent job narrating books. But in a story about Pilgrims and Indians his voice and manner just seems wholly out of place, and at times this was really distracting for me. His reading of the book made Phillip seem almost comical.