43 pages • 1 hour read
The Wordy Shipmates
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Book Brief
272
Book • Nonfiction
Massachusetts • 17th century
2008
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In The Wordy Shipmates, Sarah Vowell humorously and critically examines the Puritans who traveled on the Arbella to Massachusetts in 1630, exploring their efforts to establish a "city upon a hill" and the lasting legacies of their actions and ideologies. The book delves into their cultural production, colonialism, politics, religious tolerance, and gender issues, urging a reevaluation of American exceptionalism and the Puritans' impact on modern American identity. The book includes references to violence against Indigenous peoples.
Informative
Contemplative
Humorous
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
24,550 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Sarah Vowell’s The Wordy Shipmates offers a witty and insightful look into the lives of the Puritans who settled in New England. Critics praise her engaging narrative style and depth of historical analysis, though some feel the humor occasionally overshadows the historical content. Overall, the book is celebrated for making early American history accessible and entertaining.
Who Should Read The Wordy Shipmates?
Readers who delight in witty historical narratives with a modern twist will enjoy The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell. Fans of David McCullough's 1776 or Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City will appreciate Vowell's engaging prose and deep dive into Puritan New England's cultural legacy.
24,550 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
John Winthrop
John Winthrop
A significant Puritan leader who emigrated in 1630 and held various positions of power in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, he delivered the "city upon a hill" speech and maintained detailed journals of the colony’s early years.
John Cotton
John Cotton
A prominent Puritan minister who immigrated to Boston in 1633, where he became a central religious figure and was involved in major controversies, including the banishment of Anne Hutchinson.
Roger Williams
Roger Williams
A minister who emigrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, he was an advocate for religious freedom and fair dealings with Native Americans and eventually founded Providence, Rhode Island.
Uncas
Uncas
The sachem of the Mohegan tribe during the Pequot War, he allied with the English against the Pequot and played an influential role in the power dynamics of the region.
Anne Hutchinson
Anne Hutchinson
A charismatic and influential woman who challenged Puritan norms through her religious meetings and beliefs, leading to her banishment from the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
272
Book • Nonfiction
Massachusetts • 17th century
2008
Adult
18+ years
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