Mayflower Lives: Pilgrims in a New World and the Early American Experience

Written by Martyn Whittock

Narrated by James Cameron Stewart

Leading into the 400th anniversary of the voyage of the Mayflower, Martyn Whittock examines the lives of the "saints" (members of the Separatist puritan congregations) and "strangers" (economic migrants) on the original ship. Collectively, these people would become known to history as "the Pilgrims."

The story of the Pilgrims has taken on a life of its own as one of our founding national myths-their escape from religious persecution, the dangerous transatlantic journey, that brutal first winter. Throughout the narrative, we meet characters already familiar to us through Thanksgiving folklore-Captain Jones, Myles Standish, and Tisquantum (Squanto)-as well as new ones.

There is Mary Chilton, the first woman to set foot on shore, and asylum seeker William Bradford. We meet fur trapper John Howland and little Mary More, who was brought as an indentured servant. Then there is Stephen Hopkins, who had already survived one shipwreck and was the only Mayflower passenger with any prior American experience. Decidedly un-puritanical, he kept a tavern and was frequently chastised for allowing drinking on Sundays. Epic and intimate, Mayflower Lives is a rich and rewarding book that promises to enthrall anyone with an interest in early American history.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Highbridge Company
• Release date: Aug 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9781684573196

Martyn Whittock

Martyn Whittock graduated in Politics from Bristol University and is the author or co-author of fifty-two books, including school history textbooks and adult history books. He taught history for thirty-five years and latterly, was curriculum leader for Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education at a Wiltshire secondary school. He is a Licensed Lay Minister in the Church of England. He has acted as an historical consultant to the National Trust and English Heritage. He retired from teaching in July 2016 to devote more time to writing. His Lion books include: The Vikings: from Odin to Christ, Christ: The First 2000 Years, Daughters of Eve, Jesus: The Unauthorized Biography, and The Story of the Cross. 

Reviews for Mayflower Lives

[John Duggan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a fascinating audio book
by the way it was told from the perspective of the different people who took part in the voyage and from the native Americans that were already here.
Awesome read, I highly recommend

[Camille Stratton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I like the narration, it seemed to fit a book about the Pilgrims. This book is divided into lead people to explain the whole of theirs lives. It starts in England, touches on their time in the Netherland, the crossing of the Atlantic and spends most of the time on their lives in Plymouth. A nice easy overview, that make you feel like you have a good base to jump off from.