Review: It's well-written, utterly fascinating, and adds depth to my appreciation for this holiday
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 10, 2013
What a fascinating telling of the early Plymouth colony's experiences of 1623. Framed by Abraham Lincoln's signing into law the holiday of Thanksgiving and a somewhat weaker conclusion thirty years after that historic moment, the Plymouth story could stand on its own, although I like the scene with Lincoln. According to the author's notes, this is in essence an accurate portrayal of the events of that momentous year for the history of our country. I didn't know that it was decreed by the financial backers in London that it was to be run with all things in common (to ensure that they got their share of the profits!), and how that contributed to the colony's near-starvation their second winter. And that's just one example of the interesting history you'll discover in this book, as seen through they eyes of those who actually lived it, although dialogue and characterization have obviously had to be imagined, based on whatever clues the historical record has left. I'll be sharing this book with others, given its timeliness (it's November), as I know they'll enjoy it.