William Bradford: Rock of Plymouth [Library Binding]

Kieran Doherty (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

A biography of one of the founders of the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts and a history of the Pilgrims' difficult times during their early years in the New World.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9-Report writers and those interested in Colonial America will welcome this biography. In his preface, Doherty briefly outlines the shortage of source material on his subject's life and indicates that he has occasionally "used [his] own common sense-backed by research-to add 'flesh' to William Bradford's character." Such speculation is clearly identified when it occurs in the text. Like Gary Schmidt in William Bradford (Eerdmans, 1999), Doherty quotes extensively from Bradford's own history, Of Plymouth Plantation. He obviously has a great deal of respect and admiration for Bradford, but is careful to point out weaknesses and treats potentially controversial incidents evenhandedly. Some actions that might seem particularly startling to modern readers (bringing back the head of Wituwamat to display in the settlement) are placed in historical context (English colonists would have seen heads decorating Tower Bridge in London). This is a clear and thoughtful presentation of Bradford's life and of the Pilgrims' settlement in the New World. The book has fewer illustrations than Schmidt's title, and they're primarily paintings of imagined scenes and a few more or less contemporary prints. Unfortunately, there are no maps.
Elaine Fort Weischedel, Turner Free Library, Randolph, MA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 192 pages
• Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761313044
• ISBN-13: 978-0761313045
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,621,850 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars American Hero, September 15, 2008

By 

PEGGY BURRESS (Edmond, OK United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: William Bradford: Rock of Plymouth (Library Binding)

This is truly a book that every American should read. It tells in a marvelous readable style the true story of one of our greatest American heroes. The Pilgrim story is one that has been relegated in its importance in our revisionist history books, especially in our public schools. Knowing our true history and giving honor to our heroes is vital to our strength as a nation. This book accomplishes these goals.