Product Description
Leaving behind a prosperous life in England, William Bradford and the other Pilgrims traveled on the Mayflower to a strange land in search of religious freedom. There, Braford established a stable colony, trying to be fair to both the colonists and the local Native Americans.

This fascinating photobiography tells the story of a man who left a permanent mark on history and left a legacy of unswerving faith in God. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Easy-to-read and very informative
William Bradford: Plymouth's Faithful Pilgrim, written by Gary D. Schmidt, is a biography of William Bradford, one of the Pilgrims who came to America on the Mayflower. The account starts with his birth and ends with his death, but the majority of the book is devoted to how he came to be one of the Pilgrims and how he influenced the development of Plymouth colony.

William Bradford was elected to the post of Governor of Plymouth Colony a total of 30 times. He was instrumental in getting the Mayflower Compact written and was the second person to sign it. He is also credited with starting the long-held tradition of a Thanksgiving feast. Much of what we know about him he wrote himself in the personal journal he kept from 1620-1647.

What I Like: I like biographies, especially when they're well-written like this one is. Although this is non-fiction, and non-fiction tends to be a bit dry, the author, Gary D. Schmidt, did an excellent job of moving the action along, peppering the narrative with excerpts from Bradford's journal.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 9-12.

Christine M. Irvin - Christian Children's Book Review

Mrs. Phi english 4th
I thought that this book was very good. I thought that the author did a good job in putting facts in, and the research that he did. it is always fun to read about your ancestory and about other people, it is very fun when you know someone who's ancestor knew your ancestor. this author didn't make this book a 200 page camping trip! it was very good.

Imperative for studying the early colonists
I chose this book to round out a study of the early colonies for my 4th and 6th grade boys.I would say it is geared more for 7th grade and up. But since I read it to them I could explain some of the things that they did not understand right off.I was extremely pleased with how Mr. Schmidt rendered Brandford's, "Of Plymouth Plantation" into a useable and understandable text for today's reader.
After reading this book I feel cheated in my education as to the true lives of the original Pilgrims.All the hardships that they faced year after year.
As much as I learned in school, it would be like explaining"The Lord of the Rings" as, A hobbit named Frodo recieved a special ring and was told to destroy it.He found some friends to help him, together they faced much danger, but in the end it was destroyed.
The book is a very thorough explanation, with many quotes, of the hardships the Separatists faced before they came, as they came, and after they arrived.I was amazed at the fortitude of the Pilgrims in general.I don't believe many people today would have held on to their faith or striven against such unjustices with such faithfulness and patience.
I will definetly be using this book again in the future. It was an excellent primary source. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (8)

Plymouth Plantation
Thank you very much for the fast service. I gave this book to my brother for a 4th of July present...:):)

Of Plymouth Plantation
Am replacing a missing family heirloom.Glad to be able to find the book in print.

Gov. Bradford's Historic Document
William Bradford is my direct ancestor and therefore I was raised knowing some things about him and the Pilgrims who traveled here on the Mayflower.Yet it wasn't until many years later that I read his own account "Of Plymouth Plantation" which was written during the years 1620 - 1642.The sense of adventure and human drama found in this book are very gripping despite the often florid style of language used at the time.Once can't help get caught up in these people's struggles and imagine how difficult it must have been for them in so many ways before during and after their treacherous 2 1/2 month sea voyage. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in history as it was written concurrent with what was happening and by someone who was instrumental in creating this history.One does not have to be directly descended from the Pilgrims to find this story compelling.Also look up Cotton Mather's biography of William Bradford written in 1702 and "William Bradford:Plymouth's Faithful Pilgrim" by Gary D. Schmidt.

A Must Read
After reading Of Plymoth Plantation, I am wondering where anyone came up with the idea that this country is not founded upon Christian principles.Every American student should read this book.There is a lot of our history that we do not know.How thankful we should be to live in this country!!

My "Grandparents"
Gov. Bradford wrote the story of the Pilgrimsas a journal for his family, to be passed down through the generations. (It's own history of how it got out of the family, was lost for many decades, where it was found and how restored to Plymouth is a fascinating story in itself.)
Bradford was one of my 7th great-great grandfathers, Elder Wm. Brewster, my 8th g-g grandfather, John & Priscilla another set of 7th g-g grandparents, (one of their daughters (in my line) married Alexander Standish, son Capt. Myles, etc...So I have been familiar with their story all my life.
I am intent on seeing that each member of my family have a copy of this book - my most treasured volume I got on eBay for $5...when it came in the mail, I was astounded to find it is the 1898 edition!...titled; "Bradford's History."
Last year, The History Channel put out a new movie: "The Desperate Crossing" - Using Shakespearean actors, the scenery, photography, adventure - well, if you liked the movie Master and Commander, this story - finally the WHOLE story of that intrepid band who sailed on the Mayflower - is every bit as spectacular. I have waited all my life for such a true and complete movie of the Pilgrims of Plymouth.
It's available in DVD here at Amazon. I just bought 3 more...to give to my children and their kids for Thanksgiving...and it will be shown here after our VERY traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
We all benefit from the sacrifices and perseverance of the Pilgrims. Surely, Governor Bradford's hope, expressed in his Journal, came to pass in a greater manner than even he could have envisioned when he wrote, at the end: "Thus out of small beginnings ... AS ONE SMALL CANDLE MAY LIGHT A THOUSAND, S0 THE LIGHT HERE KINDLED HATH SHONE UNTO MANY, yea in some sort to our whole nation;" ... Read more

Product Description
Modern Library College Editions

William Bradford's "Of Plymouth Plantation" is a remarkable work by a man who himself was something of a marvel.It remains one of the most readable seventeenth-century American books, attractive to us as much for its artfulness as for its high seriousness, the work of a good storyteller with interlligence and wit. Edited, with an Introduction, by Francis Murphy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Early days in Mass
I was pleased to find this book about a relative of mine. Hard to believe that it was actually in print

There's Nothing Like the Original
I recently taught this book to a group of five high school boys, and it was an amazing experience. We were able to move beyond our stereotyped ideas of the Pilgrims to see an account of them from the perspective of their leader.We were struck with the through-and-through integrity of these people who were willing to suffer so many ways for the cause of their Lord. So many times they gave the other guy the advantage and did not press their rights, while we moderns were becoming frustrated at their passivity.But in the end we saw the aggregate worth of their "long obedience in the same direction," as mocking sailors and the Indians and many others saw that they truly lived out the faith they claimed.

The detailed account of anyone's life, personal or corporate, will have tedium and unnecessary (to our thinking) minutiae, and Bradford's account does have a lot of material I might have edited out. But it is a real story, a journal, presented in its entirety, and there is value in that as well.

We used discussion questions to guide us, from Omnibus III: Reformation to the Present.

Great!
Excellent book! I read this in combination with the Governer William Bradford's Letter Book and Mourts Relations and Good Newes from New England by Edward Winslow. I am really glad that I have done it this way, because there is further information in the Good Newes from New England thatfills in the gaps of certain events.
This is William Bradford's point of view, and the information in it is amazing. If you are into history, then it doesn't get any better than this. Its not very often that you have the opportunity to see events through someone elses eyes, and this does it.

Was not what I expected
I was suprised at how gossipy William Bradford was. He told tales about his neighbors and friends and described how the pilgrims constantly bickered with traders and their benefactors over money. My whole fantasy about what I thought the Pilgrims were like has completely changed. Now I consider them petty, self-righteous gossip mongers. The book was good for general information about preparation for their trip and what they actually did when they got here, but as far as historical fact goes, I was unimpressed. Bradford discusses people who stray from the flock, "outsiders" who get girls pregnant, drunkards, and preachers who were not to his liking. It was more like a "dish" session n the Jenny Jones show than something I would be proud to uphold as historical fact to the rest of the nation.

Excellent Adventure Tale
I came across this book quite by accident and didn't think it would be much of a read. Generally speaking I don't read histories and one from the early 1600's was a pretty daunting task - or so I thought. In fact, it was a great tale of adventure and faith and an extremely insightful and thought provoking book about how this country was started and what it must have looked like to those who arrived here some 350 years ago.I really did love this book.

Bradford is an engaging writer whose prose isn't hard to understand. In places his understatement about the death and hardship faced almost constantly is even amusing. Nothing of the kind of challenges that the Leyden pilgrims faced in Massachusetts will seem familiar to a modern reader. Just the same, the fact that it all happened is fascinating. One can almost imagine being there, looking over the decks of the Mayflower and facing all that December gray and wilderness and wondering what you were doing coming here. Told in first person it reads like an adventure as much as a history.

The pilgrims here are also quite human and not at all the diorama characters of a first graders Thanksgiving craft project. They face social challenges and the horrors of death and disease. Attacks by natives actually occured on occasion. The dream of a sort of providence is one that proves difficult in the real world. Bradford mourns the loss of these ideals and the people who imported them. There's something a little sad in his later passages, whether it be age or a truly lost paradise one never really knows. But what Bradford imagined as a sort of religious nirvana clearly doesn't pan out in the end. Nevertheless it is well worth the journey. I highly recommend a read of this American classic. ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Can Do
I was very disappointed when I gave this book as a gift and many of the photos were completely upside down.

Huie Can DO!
As a son of a submariner from WWII, I grew up hearing all the navy stories and meeting the naval pals of my father. This garnered me a more than casual interest in things Naval regarding WWII. I also grew up with theJohn Wayne version of the Seabees. I like Huie's version better. Writtenduring the war, it carries all the flavors of patriotism it was written toimpart to the American public. I found it a "page turner" once Igot past the first few preliminary chapters as he was setting the storyline us. Well worth the money. I am looking forward to reading his sequel:From Omaha to Okinawa.

thisisexactlythewaythings wereon each island
iserved inthe1st special constructionand steverdoring batt. onthe canal guadacanal and made 2tripsandended in saseboinsept of 45 as soonas thepeacetreaty was signed. this book has picturesandstories bythemen who were there. bookwasajob welldone

Great Little Read!
This book is surprisingly interesting and contains a bunch of good "first person" stories complete with unique and numerous photos. The atmosphere is real WWII since the book was written in 1943. Makes you want to find out what happened next.

The color commentary to the Seabees' official history
Huie, editor of the American Mercury and author of two books (Mud on the Stars and The Fight for Air Power) before joining the Seabees, presents the Seabee story, often in their own words. He introduced the concept of the "five roads to victory," so often seen in World War II Seabee writings. Appendices include lists of awards and casualties and an introduction to Seabee poetry. Like a skilled sports commentator, Huie provides color commentary to the official Navy account. The introduction is written by Admiral Ben Moreell. ... Read more

Product Description
Thrilling adventure stories introducing young readers (ages 8-12) to Christian heroes of the past.

Thirteen-year-old Elizabeth Tilley and her family have been waiting for this day for months the day the Mayflower sets sail from England. The late start means uncertain weather and a long, hard journey for everyone. But the trip seems especially rough for Dorothy Bradford, the frail young wife of William Bradford. One night, Elizabeth discovers Dorothy alone on deck. Thinking the woman wants to be alone, Elizabeth returns to bed. But the next morning, she awakes to the news that Dorothy has disappeared! Afraid that William Bradford will blame her for his wife's death, Elizabeth tells no one what she saw that night.

When they finally arrive in the New World, many passengers become very ill. Several of them die before the new colony is established, including Elizabeth's parents. Left an orphan, Elizabeth must deal with her terrible secret alone. How can she ever face Governor Bradford again? If she dares to tell the truth, will it ruin her chance for happiness in the new colony?

Alone in the new world, Elizabeth guards a shocking secret-.

Customer Reviews (1)

Good historical fiction for young readers.
When thirteen-year-old Elizabeth Tilley and her parents board the Mayflower in 1620, they have high hopes for a better life in the New World. Although they are not Puritan Separatists like many of the passengers, the Tilleys have few economic opportunities in England. But after a long and difficult sea voyage, the Mayflower arrives in Cape Cod in the dead of winter. On deck one night, Elizabeth sees Dorothy Bradford, one of the other passengers, standing by the railing, but tells no one. The next morning, Dorothy has disappeared, presumed drowned. Elizabeth feels terrible guilt and is determined to hide her secret, fearing blame. Soon after, both of Elizabeth's parents die from disease. Elizabeth feels all alone, without family and with few friends, and burdened by the terrible secret she hides.

This was a good historical novel about the voyage on the Mayflower and the settling of Plymouth colony. Elizabeth Tilley was a real passenger on the Mayflower, and the authors did a good job at imagining what her life might have been like in the first years of the colony. I would recommend this book to young readers who enjoy stories about Colonial America and the Pilgrims. ... Read more

Product Description
In late August 1944, a drab convoy of raw recruitsdestined to join elements of the decimated 28th Division lumberedalong a windy French road strewn with dead animals, shattered bodies,and burning equipment. The invasion of Europe was in full swing, withGerman forces hastily retreating in face of the Alliedassault. Throughout 1944, with mounting casualties worldwide, theUnited States draft dug deeper for infantrymen, including those whowere previously considered unfit for service. One of those drafteestraveling through the carnage in the French countryside was24-year-old Eddie Slovik, a petty thief from Detroit who had spent hisyouth in and out of reform schools. Eddie’s luck had recently changed,however, with a steady factory job and marriage to Antoinette, abeautiful girl who gave Eddie hope and security for the first time inhis life. But their honeymoon—like that of many other newlywedsduring World War II—was interrupted by the call to service... Coming under intense artillery fire, the troops were ordered to jump and dig foxholes. In the morning, Eddie Slovik and a friend found themselves alone.

Separated from his unit, Slovik joined a Canadian outfit and traveledwith them for six weeks, cooking and cleaning for them, before finallyreporting to the 28th Division. He carried a rifle but noammunition. He was assigned to a platoon but walked away. Refusing tofight, Slovik was arrested, court martialed, and condemned todeath. Hundreds of soldiers were tried for desertion during World WarII and sentenced to die, but only Eddie Slovik paid the price,supposedly as a deterrent, yet word of the nature of his death wasnever officially released.

In The Execution of Private Slovik, considered to be among the best investigative books ever written, William Bradford Huie reconstructs this entire story in order to find out what made Eddie Slovik an unlikely pacifist and why the U.S. Army decided to cover up the affair. With the full cooperation of the Department of the Army, including the officers in charge of the court martial, and through interviews of persons who knew Slovik and the hundreds of letters that he sent to his wife, Huie reveals how Slovik’s case reached General Eisenhower at the moment when American troops were reeling from a sudden massive German counterattack that jeopardized their hard won advances. Slovik seemed resigned to his fate and, despite a written plea for clemency, Eisenhower approved the sentence. In Eddie Slovik, the author finds a hard luck depression era boy, good natured, poorly educated, who when faced with the reality of war realized that he simply could not kill another human being. M!ilitary justice was carried out and those involved remain steadfast in their belief that the right thing was done, but Huie shows that, in death, Eddie Slovik has much more to tell Americans about life and duty to one’s country. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

America's antihero
Well it doesn't take much to hate the way the military does things. Why not shot a poor frighten kid for desertion. After all did he want to fight or was he made to fight. Life is ironic Eddie isn't it. You feared guns and guns where use to do you in. You showed more courage facing death then living. This book is a good read.

A Supposed Example for an Army Deserter Gone Awry
Thank you, William Bradford Huie, for this wonderful, fully documented historical book about the execution of Private Slovik near the end of WWII.Private Slovik said he would never shoot his rifle and the Army knew this.He deserted briefly but returned on his own initiative.Yes, he had a court-martial, for which he pleaded guilty.(Everyone else that deserted and caught either pleaded not guilty, was locked up, or just hid out for the remainder of the war, knowing that they would never be court-martialed after the war was over).Private Slovik was "executed" to set an example for potential deserters.But if this was for an "example" why was it kept a secret, even from his wife, for many years, and it was only through the author that his wife (and the rest of the world) found out about his execution years after the war was over.General Eisenhower was the approving authority, but funny how his memory of this event became vague.A must read.

JUstice Was servd..
Exclellent book - He got a 'bum rap' but so did a lot of other guys.
hmdodd - WW II Veteran

execution of eddie slovik
bought this book for a re-read.gave my old tiny paperback long ago to a library.recently visited the miltary cemetery in France, the site of his former interrment.

first learned of pvt.slovik via tv movie starring martin sheen, in early 1970s.

An Interesting Yet Tragic Story
When I was reading this book, I could not stop reading it and never got bored reading it.

Here is a tragic story of a young American man, Eddie D. Slovik, who had straightened out his life, after a life of spending approximately a total of 5 years in reformatories and jails for petty crimes and thefts, then found a steady job during World War II on the home front, and married a strong woman, whom he loved very dearly.Then, his promising life as a truly reformed ex-convict with a potentially bright future was abruptly disrupted and ended, when he was drafted into the Army as a "replacement private" to fight in the final bloody stages of World War II.

It was the first tragedy in Private Slovik's short life for this to happen to him, as he went from being classified by his local Draft Board from 4-F (not fit for military service and when the US Military did not want any part of him) to 1-A (immediately available for military service).His promising life truly was wasted and went up in smoke.

The second tragedy in Private Slovik's life is when he was the only soldier in World War II to be executed for desertion, since the U.S. Civil War in the 1860's.Despite desertion during time of war is very wrong and a very serious offense, and in my opinion should be severely punished, it was unfair to single him out for execution."Although over twenty-one thousand soldiers were given varying sentences for desertion during World War II--including forty-nine death sentences--only Slovik's death sentence was carried out." (Source/Cited from Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Slovik).Private Slovik should have of course been tried by General Court Cartial, then given a sentence of prison or should NOT have had his execution actually carried out.Thus, he would have been given a new start and a second chance in life in Post-World War II America.This is among one of the worst injustices carried out during the final stages of this war.

This book is definitely a must read for those who are interested in military history and/or studying the history of World War II.I highly recommend this book, both for the study of history and an as an excellent novel, good for both serious study and for recreational reading. ... Read more

Product Description
Interesting biography, published by Beautiful Feet Books, of Bradford's childhood. Orphaned at a young age, he was formed by forces which were providentially preparing him for the great call upon his life. Follow his life from his boyhood in Scrooby, England through the years when he led the Pilgrims as the first governor of Plimoth Plantation. 200pg ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

My favorite children's biography
My family read this book aloud when I was in first grade, and it quickly became my favorite book. The story of William Bradford is beautifully told in a very entertaining way that really draws readers into the story and helps you identify and sympathize with the characters. I have read and enjoyed many biographies in my day, and this one still stands out as the best I have ever read.

William Bradford: Pilgrim Boy
Fantastic book!This wonderful little biogrpahy of a great figurehead in history is written for children.It gives a wonderful perspective into Pilgrim life.

A Child's Treasure of a Great American Leader
This is one of my favorite books for children. Although
some parts are fabricated for the interest of the story,
as conversations, what a person thinks, and perhaps some
of the events.But overall it is heavily based on the
life story of William Bradford. I read it aloud to my
children when they were younger, and enjoyed it myself.
William Bradford is one of the most honorable men in
United States History, and served as Governor of Plymouth
Colony for thirty years. Young William had so many disadvantages
growing up, he struggled hard to get an education,
overcame a difficult chldhood, and emerged a man of integrity
and honor. We need his story for our day. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
Widely regarded as the most important narrative of seventeenth-century NewEngland, William Bradford's Of Plimmoth Plantation is one of the founding documentsof American literature and history. In William Bradford's Books this portrait of thereligious dissenters who emigrated from the Netherlands to New England in 1620 receivesperhaps its sharpest textual analysis to date--and the first since that of Samuel Eliot Morison twogenerations ago. Far from the gloomy elegy that many readers find, Bradford's history, arguesDouglas Anderson, demonstrates remarkable ambition and subtle grace, as it contemplates theadaptive success of a small community of religious exiles. Anderson offers fresh literary andhistorical accounts of Bradford's accomplishment, exploring the context and the form in whichthe author intended his book to be read. ... Read more

Product Description
From the Original Manuscript.WITH A REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS INCIDENT TO THE RETURN OF THE MANUSCRIPT TO MASSACHUSETTS. BY ORDER OF THE GENERAL COURT.BOSTON: 1898 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Bradford's History "Of Plimoth Plantation"
I have two of the original 1898 books, but I was so happy to acquire this 2008 reprint by Echo Library. Being a lover of history, I love this book, especially because William Bradford, governor of the Plymouth Colony and author of "Of Plimoth Plantation" was my eighth great-grandfather.The first section of the book is the story of how the manuscript was lost (stolen) during the Revolutionary War and found in 1856 in a bishop's library in England and finally returned to Massachusetts in 1897. Bradford's manuscript was passed down to Major William Bradford Junior, who willed it to his son, Major John Bradford. John Bradford willed the manuscript to his son, Samuel.Samuel never received it. John had loaned it out to several historians, lastly to Rev. Thomas Prince of Boston. The manuscript was stolen from Prince's library in the Old South Church about 1775. I found the report of the proceedings (first 39 pages) incident to the return of the manuscript to Massachusetts most fascinating. I have several editions of "Of Plimoth Plantation" and always enjoy rereading them.Anyone who loves American history should love this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

American Hero
This is truly a book that every American should read.It tells in a marvelous readable style the true story of one of our greatest American heroes.The Pilgrim story is one that has been relegated in its importance in our revisionist history books, especially in our public schools. Knowing our true history and giving honor to our heroes is vital to our strength as a nation.This book accomplishes these goals. ... Read more

Product Description
How Firm A Foundation: William Bradford and Plymouth – John M. Pafford. The United States was built on the foundation laid by the Pilgrims—Christian faith, recognition of the value of virtue and order to society, and freedom balanced between community and individualism. The Pilgrims also demonstrated entrepreneurship and a strong work ethic, recognized the need for effective armed forces, and created our most cherished national holiday, Thanksgiving.

William Bradford, the governor and chronicler of the Plymouth colony in the seventeenth century, was the first great American political figure and the first American historian of significance. He was the dominant person in Plymouth until his death in 1657. The history of Plymouth, from its early exploration through 1691, is encompassed within these pages and William Bradford is considered in conjunction with Plymouth during his almost forty years of service there.

The book opens with the birth of William Bradford in Yorkshire, England in 1590, follows him to the New World in 1620, and concludes in 1691 when Plymouth became part of the Massachusetts Bay colony. Topics include: British colonization, religion, government, education, the economy, Indians, the Pequot War, the New England Confederation and much more… A bibliography and a fullname plus subject augment this work.

Dr. Pafford is a professor of History and Philosophy, and has written numerous articles on history, politics and foreign policy for a variety of publications. 2002, 127 pp., bibl., index, paper, $17.00 #P2140 ... Read more