Massachusetts Troublemakers: Rebels, Reformers, and Radicals from the Bay State

by Paul Della Valle

An entertaining, well-written, and historically sound collection of twenty short biographies of fascinating Massachusetts “troublemakers”—those who went against the grain and who helped shape the Bay State into the liberal place it is today. TwoDot regional history model similar to A Priest, a Prostitute, and Some Other Early Texans and the Outlaw Tales series.

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 13, 2009

Reviews

[Jane Rattray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book, especially if you are interested in New England history. These are the stories of the people you don’t hear about in history class or on the standard Boston tour, people who stood up for what they believed in usually with great sacrifice, the people who have paved the way for us to live in true freedom and peace. My favorite account is the story of Major Taylor. If you have driven in Worcester you are probably familiar with Major Taylor boulevard but do you know who this courageous man is and why he deserves oh so much more than a street named after him? Read this book and learn about him. You will be glad you did.

[Cormacjosh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains 20 chapters, each a short over view of the lives of particularly revolutionary figures who call Massachusetts home. The book is written by Paul Della Valle, a newspaper journalist. The book reads as such in an accessible manner, and would be perfect for vacation reading.

The only thing that is particularly annoying is his obvious self righteous animosity towards Puritan culture, and the South, particularly during the Civil War. The Civil War was a multi faceted conflict, the issues of which are still being dealt with so that is almost permissible. However his attitude towards Puritans is obnoxious. Even if I agree with him, it leaves one with the impression that his study of that era was confined to the mockeries and jokes that others have made of them. He needs to lose the air of superiority that he affects over both, but particularly with the Puritans. It’s not professional or historically objective.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little snippets of history. Learned a few new things! And a good resource for future classes.