Book Reviewed: Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford

A tale of pilgrims in America This is the first-person narrative of the pilgrims' adventures and triumphs during their early years in America including their planning years prior to their departure in 1620. The book covers the period of 1620 to 1646, which is the ultimate source for the term 'pilgrims' as applied to the separatist congregation who were looking for total freedom from Church of England, as William Bradford observes that "they knew they were pilgrims" in describing their journey of faith to an unknown land. William Bradford's congregation in England and the others who traveled with him left all of that behind for a vision of a new life in a new world. They had little hope that they would reach the land again. After numerous meetings with merchants, ship builders, and their friends they finalized that a voyage to Virginia in America, which already had a colony from England, would be a good choice. The choice was costly in terms of the loss of human lives and the challenges they faced. Mayflower landed in Cape Cod in the winter of 1620. Between Nov 11 and Dec 21, they explored the area. Earlier English expeditions prior to 1620 by other English colonists had spread disease killing significant Native American population. The expedition by Thomas Hunt had kidnapped a number of natives to be sold into slavery. The Mayflower passengers did not receive a warm welcome from the Nauset tribe when they first met on 8 December 1620. By March of 1621, 50% of the passengers and crew were dead, but the survivors refused to give up and continued building the settlement. Much of the book was written when Bradford was the colonial governor, one of his intentions was to inspire others. The book contains honest expression of a man who inspired many of his believers and freedom seekers. Every passenger who boarded the Mayflower surrendered their former lives in the hope of something better, and they did not look back. This work is the most significant part of early American history.