Rebecca Fraser, daughter of noted British historian Lady Antonia Fraser, is the author of The Story of Britain, which has been described as "an elegantly written, impressively well-informed single-volume history of how England was governed during the past 2000 years." A reviewer and broadcaster, her previous work also includes a biography of Charlotte Bront� which examined her life within the framework of contemporary attitudes to women. Rebecca Fraser was President of the Bront� Society for many years.
"There is nothing sleep-inducing about the chronicle crafted by Ms.
Fraser . . . the Thanksgiving Day events so central to American
identity and character merit a mere three sentences in a book that
spans more than 300 pages. The lesson: There is more to the
Pilgrims' story--more to American identity and character--than our
Thanksgiving rituals and reveries." --Wall Street Journal
"Rebecca Fraser brings the Pilgrims to vivid life." --Christian
Science Monitor
"Superbly written and enthralling ... The Mayflower reads as though
it were historical fiction, with avaried cast of characters and
perspectives, fine details, background histories, and a holistic
approach."
--Booklist "Fraser's smooth storytelling provides a revealing look
into the development of the [Plymouth] colony. The story of the
Winslows is an effective way to experience the emotions and fears
of the small band who dauntlessly sailed off to the New World."
--Kirkus Reviews "Rebecca Fraser tells this familiar story with
wonderful immediacy; the Winslows come across not as strange
characters from the distant past, but as real people with passions
and anxieties familiar to us all. . . . Fraser's account of the
Pilgrims' progress will disappoint those who like their history
simple. Hers is not a story of virtuous Pilgrims fighting to
survive in a hostile land, nor is it about noble Native Americans
duped by perfidious Albion. It is, though, a story of how
friendships and community are destroyed by greed and vanity." --The
Times (UK) "Epic in scope and pacing, this account of survival
feels intimate, connecting readers to both groups in a refreshing
way . . . The author's inclusion of indigenous history along with
the struggles of women pilgrims and their importance to the
community's success is both appreciated and necessary . . . An
engaging popular history. For readers of David McCullough and Ron
Chernow." --Library Journal
"Captivating, scholarly and addictively readable . . . Rebecca
Fraser has the rare gift of being able to marshal and communicate a
mountainous quantity of often original research in such a deft and
elegant manner that it never becomes indigestible or irrelevant."
--Financial Times (UK) "A brilliant combination of synthesis and
original research arriving in good time for the celebration of the
quincentenary of the Mayflower. It should also give a heavy burp of
indigestion to the customary turkey-and-cranberry-sauce celebration
of Thanksgiving next month, with its reminder of the way in which
Winslow's ideals of 'love, peace and holiness' gave way to a
horrible, genocidal sequel." --The Spectator "A superb account . .
. This book stands as a significant contribution to the already
well documented field of Pilgrim history . . . a must read for
those interested in the unique beginnings of America" - Cynthia
Hagar Krusell, Historian and Author of The Winslows of Careswell in
Marshfield "Rebecca Fraser's exquisitely researched book seems to
offer something new to learn - and wonder over - on every page. . .
. The Pilgrims believed that 'the world could begin afresh in
America, ' this gifted historian writes. As, eventually, it did.
Deftly, indelibly, Fraser shows us the human cost." - Penelope
Rowlands, Journalist and Author of Aaron Burr's Second Act "The
author puts the reader into the period with a front-row seat as the
story unfolds . . . Fraser's attention to historical detail is
excellent and enhances this riveting book!" - Judith H. Swan,
Former Governor General, General Society of Mayflower Descendants
"A well written and far ranging perspective on the Pilgrims and
seventeenth century New England by a noted student of English
history." - Francis J.Bremer, Coordinator, New England Beginnings
and Author of Lay Empowerment and the Development of Puritanism
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