The Pilgrim Chronicles: An Eyewitness History of the Pilgrims and the Founding of Plymouth Colony

by Rod Gragg

A Quest for Freedom

All Americans are familiar with the story of the Pilgrims—persecuted for their religion in the Old World, they crossed the ocean to settle in a wild and dangerous land. But for most of us, the story ends after their brutal first winter at Plymouth with a supposedly peaceful encounter with the Native Americans and a happy Thanksgiving.

Now, through the vivid memoirs, letters, and personal accounts in The Pilgrim Chronicles , you will discover the full, compelling story of their anguished journey and heroic strength. Award-winning historian Rod Gragg brings the Pilgrims to life in this lavishly illustrated guide, filled with moving, eyewitness narratives. From their persecution in England and painful exile in Holland to their voyage across the Atlantic and their struggle to survive among the Indians in an untamed wilderness, Gragg takes you on the harrowing and inspiring journey of a people seeking religious freedom.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History

296 pages, Hardcover

First published October 13, 2014

Reviews

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best thing about this book is the focus on primary sources. Really, it could almost be characterized as a reader or an anthology of firsthand accounts of the life and times of the Pilgrims (including a heavy helping of historical context). The author’s writing mostly translates the excerpts into very accessible modern language. I found it very easy to read, but it inspired a lot of thoughts about how this history shaped our nation and is still felt today. It was very encouraging to read about the faith of the Pilgrims and their trust in God and prayer, as they faced intense persecution and embarked on an extremely dangerous endeavor with the purpose of honoring God.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book should be in every home and school library! It is the best retelling of how true Christianity came to America.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great read!

The author the story and the journey of the Pilgrims justice from beginning to end, with great detail! He highlights the faith of the Pilgrims, how they trust in God for their provision time and again!
It took me a minute to realize the layout of this book when I first read it. The author will describe and narrate events and then immediately following that is a direct quote of some kind relevant to what he just spoke about. I thought I was just losing my place at first and was confused because I had seen lines that were repeated. But after chapter 1 I caught on.
The only tweak I would have made to this book is: whenever there is a quote from a Pilgrim or just a quote the author is drawing attention to, I would’ve suggested the entire quote from beginning to end be out in italics. The way the book is laid out now, only the first paragraph is italicized. This gets confusing when the last part of the quote end and goes right back to the author speaking his own words. Other than it was a great book!
I’m sure I’ll read it again and would recommend it to anyone interested in learning from the wisdom and reverence of the Pilgrims!

[Stef · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a relatively compact book, appreciated the numerous excerpts from early sources, straightforward narration around them, and focus on the origins and earliest experiences in Plymouth.

[dale rethlake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good outline

I enjoyed this book. I have also read Philbrooks book as well. I would have liked more on the entire history of the Pilgrims

[Renie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through memoirs, letters and personal accounts Rod Gragg presents an eyewitness history of the Pilgrims and the founding of Plymouth Colony. He tells the whole sequence of events beginning in England and their struggles in the wilderness once in America. They sacrificed much in order to have religious freedom. A thought provoking book that left me so much more appreciative of what this group of Pilgrims went through as early settlers in American History. I have been told I am a decendant of Elder William Brewster and his daughter, Patience, which made this book all the more important to me. I will follow up with more of this author's books in the future.

[Crazy Uncle Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good and informative book. I learned a lot more about the pilgrims than I had known before. I wish it had covered the actual first thanksgiving more. But, the book was really about the people and the colony itself so the feast wasn't the main priority. Definitely worth the read. This book gave me a greater respect for the pilgrims and made me want to read more about them.

[Nancy]

Janet Parshall. 11/30/14. Regnery.