Customer Reviews

William Bradford: Plymouth's Faithful Pilgrim

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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.

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

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.