by Sarah Vowell
First published 2008
Traveling through 17th-century New England, Sarah Vowell uncovers the Puritans' complex beliefs about church, state, and their lasting influence. From Massachusetts' governor Winthrop's contradictory actions to Rhode Island's rebel Roger Williams, Vowell finds the Puritans' ideals and quirks more intriguing than their buckled reputation. With biting wit, she investigates how these wordy shipmates continue to shape America's political and cultural landscape.
Genres: history, non-fiction, biography-memoir, american-history
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-fiction, narrative-nonfiction
Setting: New England
Period: 17th Century, To 1775
272 pages · Hardcover · Riverhead Books