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Write a product review. Most helpful customer reviews on Amazon. A few reviews considered this book dull, one said it was a "slog"? I have to disagree. I thought it was most interesting and the author, brilliant, especially since he was writing for his own uses. Bradford never meant his diary to be published so his thoughts are candid, colorful and vivid.
His accounting of those first settlers is daunting. You need to have a playbook to choreograph the deaths' births and animal couplings. So many of our ancestors died early in their adventure that its a miracle the US got populated at all. Our Indians, rather than hatchet carrying heathens were far more sophisticated and opportunistic than I left high school believing.
This book has opened my eyes to the realities of our nations beginnings.
To me it seemed like I was reading a great, intricate novel about some really interesting characters and situations. In fact, I think I was. Modernity is so overwhelming, from school, advertising, print, video, movies, politics, etc. One way to find another opinion, perhaps the only way, is to reach into the past.
This collection of letters by several key players and comments by Bradford, provide a very different insight. How sweet and precious were its fruits! But when this fidelity decayed, then their ruin approached. Oh that these ancient members had not died if it had been the will of God ; or that this holy care and constant faithfulness had still remained with those that survived. But, alas, that still serpent hath slyly wound himself to untwist these sacred bonds and ties. I was happy in my first times to see and enjoy the blessed fruits of that sweet communion; but it is now a part of my misery in old age to feel its decay, and with grief of heart to lament it.
For the warning and admonition of others, and my own humiliation, I here make note of it. Bradford was 'humiliated' from the loss of the 'sacred bond', that is, the deep religious faith and devotion that bonded the first settlers. This account highlights the benefits of sincere Bibical faith when applied with wisdom - and the pain when lost or misused for selfish ends.
Reading this history requires adjusting to the style of that time. Assumes the reader can follow extended lines of reasoning, is familiar with Bibical stories, recognizes Seneca, Plato, Cato, Paul, etc.. The education, the vast reading and even more, the understanding of these thinkers, seems unlike modern writers.
For example, Plato's theory of government, communism, was first implemented. Horrible result - starvation! Reading this history requires adjusting to the style of that time. Assumes the reader can follow extended lines of reasoning, is familiar with Bibical stories, recognizes Seneca, Plato, Cato, Paul, etc..
The education, the vast reading and even more, the understanding of these thinkers, seems unlike modern writers. For example, Plato's theory of government, communism, was first implemented. Horrible result - starvation! Now, private property - ''So they began to consider how to raise more corn, and obtain a better crop than they had done, so that they might not continue to endure the misery of want.
At length after much debate, the Governor with the advice of the chief among them, allowed each man to plant corn for his own household, and to trust to themselves for that; in all other things to go on in the general way as before. It made all hands very industrious, so that much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been by any means the Governor or any other could devise, and saved him a great deal of trouble, and gave far better satisfaction.
The women now went willingly into the field, and took their little ones with them to plant corn, while before they would allege weakness and inability; and to have compelled them would have been thought great tyranny and oppression. For in this instance, community of property so far as it went was found to breed much confusion and discontent, and retard much employment which would have been to the general benefit and comfort.
This was thought injustice. The aged and graver men, who were ranked and equalized in labour, food, clothes, etc. They also understood Bible principles sufficiently to adopt them when Plato failed. This, as he wrote, increased their faith in God and lost faith in Plato. Bradford's devotion shown - ''Thus out of small beginnings greater things have grown by His hand Who made all things out of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light enkindled here has shone to many, yea, in a sense, to our whole nation; let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise.
Even the faithful look to their religion to receive salvation more than giving praise to Jehovah's name. The film by Ric Burns - ''American Experience: The Pilgrims''; is an excellent presentation of Bradford's book. September 25, - Published on Amazon. I am a history buff nut?
I recently read 5 books about the colonies and settling of America. This is not the best I have read but it was written over years starting in until Willism Bradford died in Knowing how authentic it had to be written as he lived it gave me sooo much pleasure to know how real it was instead of hindsight writing by someone who did not live it!
August 4, - Published on Amazon. This book was "translated" into understandable language without taking away from the actual text.
Get to Know Us. Amazon Music Stream millions of songs. Help us improve our Author Pages by updating your bibliography and submitting a new or current image and biography. For example, Plato's theory of government, communism, was first implemented. Warehouse Deals Open-Box Discounts.
For example, Thou is changed to you. It makes it much faster reading. I have enjoyed this book immensely. I thought it might be a bit boring but wanted to have it in my library for reference. I've learned so much. The details are great. May 28, - Published on Amazon.
Of Plymouth Plantation (Dover Books on Americana) [Governor William Bradford, Harold Paget] on www.farmersmarketmusic.com *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The most. Of Plymouth Plantation (Dover Books on Americana) by William Bradford ( ) [William Bradford] on www.farmersmarketmusic.com *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers.
This book is about the American ancestors or the persecuted pilgrims who traveled first from England to Holland and stayed and then on the ship called Mayflower to Plymouth, New England William Bradford, the author of the book, was elected the first governor for five times and the scope of the book lasted about fifty two years Bradford told the story of the settlers from the original planting corn, using the wampum as money, to the dispersion of the population on account of more wealth.
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