Good Newes from New England: A True Relation of Things Very Remarkable at the Plantation of Plimouth in New England

by Edward Winslow

Good Newes from New England, first published in 1624, was written by one of the first Pilgrim leaders to enter the United States. Edward Winslow, an English immigrant and plantation leader from the Mayflower, wrote in a journal his account of the new world, which was subsequently published in order to convince more pilgrims to make the long voyage to America. The entries, which are separated into months, discuss a wide range of topics, from food and weather to the Native Americans and their reception and treatment of the pilgrims. Winslow's account is a remarkable primary source for those interested in America's early foundations.Edward Winslow (1595-1655) was an English immigrant on the Mayflower, a leader and founder of the Plymouth colony, and governor of Plymouth in 1633, 1636, and 1644. Winslow also founded Marshfield in Plymouth where he owned an estate called Careswell and lived until his death. Winslow's account of the "first Thanksgiving" in Mourt's Relation is one of only two first-hand written testimonies in existence.

Genres: History, Historical, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1996

Reviews

[Stephen Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work is exemplary scholarship. Wisecup does an incredible helpful job of maintaining the primary source content while also making slight adjustments and footnotes to make it easily understandable and readable. I wish there was this level of scholarship for many more works of the puritans and founding fathers. Although Wisecup seems to have a view that puts more weight on the study of the natives rather than puritans, she still does a phenomenal job of being objective.

Although only a small portion of the book is actually Winslow’s “Good News from New England” the introduction as well as the additional original documents are excellent contributions. The bibliography is also golden.

For anyone interested in study of the Plymouth plantation, this will be a high recommendation.

[Jeffrey Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edward Winslow's account of the establishment of the Plymouth Colony was instrumental in inspiring others to make the trip across the Atlantic Ocean back in the 1620s, so it definitely is an important work in American history. This really should be titled, "Mourt's Relations - Part II" since Winslow was one of the principle writers of that book, and this one covers things that happened since Mourt's Relations was released.

The writing is pretty dull by 21st century standards, but keep in mind that it was written in the 17th century and was common for its day. Not stimulating reading, but nonetheless important to understanding early American history.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Newes from New England is a worthy read albeit not an easy one. This Edward Winslow tract written in 1624 is most informative in describing the early days of the Pilgrims at Plymouth; however, the text is as originally written by Winslow, so reading and comprehending content written in the style of the day was slow and cumbersome. The footnotes at the end (1841) did help with context and meaning.

[Donna Peake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward Winslow writes and describes the early days of the Pilgrims. This book was a long read but very informative about the Pilgrims and their settlement in America. It was a struggle that's for sure but thank goodness these hardy people never gave up.

[Joshua Horn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An invaluable primary source, it would be also good for the general reader who is interest in the Pilgrims

[Dwight]

http://bookcents.blogspot.com/2010/02...

Edward Winslow contributed a major slice of Mourt’s Relation and picks up chronologically where that tract finishes, covering most of 1622 and 1623’s events in Plymouth colony. Good Newes also addresses the type of people that should attempt to settle in New England. Like Mourt’s Relation, the writing and publication of Good Newes comes shortly after the events covered while Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation was compiled years later (and not published for several centuries).

Winslow notes that God saved the Pilgrims, acknowledging that the Indians could have “easily swallowed us up” if “God had let them loose”. I don’t recall Winslow quoting any Scripture in this work which stands in marked contrast to the other books I read. Rowlandson could not go a page without a quote. Bradford quoted from many works and not just the Bible—I remember seeing Seneca and Pliny in his memoir, for example. But Winslow’s work repeatedly credits God in assisting the Pilgrims, even (or especially) when they did not know how close they might have been to ruin. Events occur at God’s pleasure, whether the outcome is good or bad for the English, which is consistent with the other writers. They believe bad events happen because of estrangement from God. Winslow’s dedication makes clear several items about the Pilgrims, or at least how they viewed themselves. They did not see themselves as fanatics but stress the importance of providing a Christian example to the Indians. The difficulty and hard work required in settling in New England is not hidden from readers but feels glossed over at times.

(more at the link)

[Jessica]

What struck me about Winslow's account is how jaded it seems after reading the works of Columbus and De Vaca. Winslow and his band of pilgrims are not as impressed by the New World. Indeed, even in this little piece of propaganda, Winslow is careful not to make New England sound too great lest the place be overrun by silly European vacationers who don't know the value of a long winter's starvation. Also, there is something incredibly stunted about Winslow's prose, which makes his tale seem somewhat boring in comparison to the works of other early settlers.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and enlightening.