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They Knew They Were Pilgrims

Plymouth Colony and the Contest for American Liberty
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( 145 ratings, 37 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
They Knew They Were Pilgrims by John G. Turner explores the journey of the pilgrims who sailed on the Mayflower in 1620. The book delves into their struggles and convictions as they sought religious freedom and the challenges they faced in establishing a new colony in the New World. It provides an in-depth analysis of their experiences, interactions with Native Americans, and the broader historical context of their time.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you're fascinated by early American history and the complexities of the Pilgrims' experiences, this might capture your interest. It offers a fresh perspective on the motivations and challenges faced by these settlers, shedding light on their interactions with Indigenous peoples and the broader Atlantic world. It's ideal for those who appreciate a nuanced exploration of pivotal historical narratives.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
Published for the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower's landing, this ambitious new history of the Pilgrims and Plymouth Colony "will become the new standard work on the Plymouth Colony.” (Thomas Kidd)
"Informative, accessible, and compelling. . . . A welcome invitation to rediscover the Mayflower voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony." β€” Daniel M. Gullotta, Christianity Today

"[An] excellent new history. . . . [Turner] asserts that the Pilgrims matter for more than their legend, and he deftly uses the history of Plymouth to explore ideas of liberty in the American colonies." β€” Nathanael Blake, National Review

In 1620, separatists from the Church of England set sail across the Atlantic aboard the Mayflower. Understanding themselves as spiritual pilgrims, they left to preserve their liberty to worship God in accordance with their understanding of the Bible.

There exists, however, an alternative, more dispiriting version of their story. In it, the Pilgrims are religious zealots who persecuted dissenters and decimated Native peoples through warfare and by stealing their land. The Pilgrims’ definition of liberty was, in practice, very narrow.

Drawing on original research using underutilised sources, John G. Turner moves beyond these familiar narratives in his sweeping and authoritative new history of Plymouth Colony. Instead of depicting the Pilgrims as otherworldly saints or extraordinary sinners, he tells how a variety of English settlers and Native peoples engaged in a contest for the meaning of American liberty.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Through meticulously detailed research, the book by John G. Turner offers a fresh and nuanced perspective on Plymouth Colony, focusing on the complexities of liberty and the Pilgrims' determination amidst their intolerance. Reviewers praise Turner's engaging writing and his ability to balance admiration for the Pilgrims' energy with a critical examination of their societal impact. It is lauded as a definitive history, shedding new light on familiar narratives, and is recognised for its contemporary relevance and scholarly contribution.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780300225501

Publisher: Yale University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 26 May 2020

Country: United States

Imprint: Yale University Press

Illustration: 28 b-w illus.

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 464

About the Author

John G. Turner is professor of religious studies at George Mason University and the award-winning author of Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet.

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