William Bradford: Plymouth's Faithful Pilgrim [Paperback]

Gary D. Schmidt (Author)

Book Description

Series: Men of Spirit | Publication Date: November 1998

William Bradford came to the New World with the other Pilgrims in search of religious freedom. With great faith in God and in his own abilities, he established a stable colony, doing his best to be just and fair to his fellow colonists as well as to the Native Americans living in the area. After he became governor of the colony, he was reelected more than thirty times. Toward the end of Bradfords life, the community that he helped build began to split apart, something that troubled him deeply. But in enduring both triumph and heartache, he made a permanent mark on American history and left an inspiring legacy of unswerving faith in the God he loved. Filled with maps, paintings, and historical illustrations, this fascinating biography introduces readers to the dramatic story of the founder of Plymouth Colony.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-10This well-written biography of the Pilgrim leader will be a welcome addition to history collections. Very little has been written about him for a young audience; none of it is recent. Schmidt tells the story well, frequently quoting from the accounts of Bradford himself, as well as others. The archaic language in those citations requires a little effort, but shouldnt prove problematic. The author clearly presents Bradfords religious views and shows how those beliefs affected his life and actions and those of the Pilgrims. The care with which Schmidt approaches this aspect of his subject results in an objective presentation that informs without proselytizing. There are occasional lapses in chronology (on one page it is Monday, Dec. 21 as the Pilgrims go ashore; three pages later, it is Wednesday, Dec. 20 as they decide to stay where they have landed) but the story is otherwise clear. Black-and-white photographs (with reenactment photos so labeled), reproductions of prints and journals, and some simple maps are all well placed within the text. A brief bibliographic essay and some suggestions for further reading (mostly adult titles) complete the work. Most libraries will want to have this volume available for readers and researchers alike.Elaine Fort Weischedel, Turner Free Library, Randolph, MA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

paper 0-8028-5148-8 Paying tribute to both the political skills and the deep spirituality of Plymouth Colony's guiding light, Schmidt (Sin Eater, 1996) paints a warm and cohesive picture of William Bradford's role in that colony's foundation and growth. Orphaned since childhood, Bradford joined the Puritan movement as a teenager, and gave up a fairly prosperous life to accompany local Separatists in their move to the Netherlands. Readers will get a clear sense of the courage it took to make that break, to defy both monarch and established church, and to later board a barely seaworthy ship for a dangerous voyage to an unknown land. Under Bradford's wise stewardship Plymouth went from a struggling settlement to a flourishing town, surviving deadly winters, suspicious local natives, successive waves of poorly supplied immigrants, fire, rival colonies competing for land and trade, even an earthquake. The author sifts Bradford's writings for clues to his character--noting such ambiguities as his near- silence at his first wife's sudden death--and points out Plymouth's enduring legacy to this country. (illustrations, not seen, notes, bibliography) (Biography. 11-15) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 211 pages
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; First Printing edition (November 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802851487
• ISBN-13: 978-0802851482
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #910,671 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gary D. Schmidt is the author of the Newbery Honor and Printz Honor book Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy. His most recent novel is The Wednesday Wars. He is a professor of English at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Imperative for studying the early colonists, September 19, 2008

By 

M. Mena (Northridge, Ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: William Bradford: Plymouth's Faithful Pilgrim (Paperback)

I chose this book to round out a study of the early colonies for my 4th and 6th grade boys. I would say it is geared more for 7th grade and up. But since I read it to them I could explain some of the things that they did not understand right off. I was extremely pleased with how Mr. Schmidt rendered Brandford's, "Of Plymouth Plantation" into a useable and understandable text for today's reader.
After reading this book I feel cheated in my education as to the true lives of the original Pilgrims. All the hardships that they faced year after year.
As much as I learned in school, it would be like explaining "The Lord of the Rings" as, A hobbit named Frodo recieved a special ring and was told to destroy it. He found some friends to help him, together they faced much danger, but in the end it was destroyed.
The book is a very thorough explanation, with many quotes, of the hardships the Separatists faced before they came, as they came, and after they arrived. I was amazed at the fortitude of the Pilgrims in general. I don't believe many people today would have held on to their faith or striven against such unjustices with such faithfulness and patience.
I will definetly be using this book again in the future. It was an excellent primary source.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy-to-read and very informative, May 12, 2010

By 

Christine M. Irvin (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: William Bradford: Plymouth's Faithful Pilgrim (Paperback)

William Bradford: Plymouth's Faithful Pilgrim, written by Gary D. Schmidt, is a biography of William Bradford, one of the Pilgrims who came to America on the Mayflower. The account starts with his birth and ends with his death, but the majority of the book is devoted to how he came to be one of the Pilgrims and how he influenced the development of Plymouth colony.

William Bradford was elected to the post of Governor of Plymouth Colony a total of 30 times. He was instrumental in getting the Mayflower Compact written and was the second person to sign it. He is also credited with starting the long-held tradition of a Thanksgiving feast. Much of what we know about him he wrote himself in the personal journal he kept from 1620-1647.

What I Like: I like biographies, especially when they're well-written like this one is. Although this is non-fiction, and non-fiction tends to be a bit dry, the author, Gary D. Schmidt, did an excellent job of moving the action along, peppering the narrative with excerpts from Bradford's journal.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 9-12.

Christine M. Irvin - Christian Children's Book Review

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mrs. Phi english 4th, December 15, 2009

By 

Kevin Tolman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: William Bradford: Plymouth's Faithful Pilgrim (Paperback)

I thought that this book was very good. I thought that the author did a good job in putting facts in, and the research that he did. it is always fun to read about your ancestory and about other people, it is very fun when you know someone who's ancestor knew your ancestor. this author didn't make this book a 200 page camping trip! it was very good.