Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647 by William Bradford offers a detailed, firsthand account of the Pilgrims' journey and settlement in America. Critics appreciate its historical authenticity and vivid descriptions. However, some find the prose challenging and the narrative occasionally biased. Overall, it's a valuable resource for understanding early American history.

Readers who enjoy detailed historical accounts and primary sources documenting early American history will appreciate Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647 by William Bradford. Similar to readers of Common Sense by Thomas Paine or A History of the American People by Paul Johnson, they seek in-depth narratives of foundational events and personal experiences from the past.

Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647 by William Bradford is a firsthand account written as a journal, detailing the events leading to the Mayflower voyage and the first twenty-five years of Plymouth Colony. Bradford narrates the Pilgrims' struggle with religious persecution in England, their relocation to the Netherlands, and their eventual settlement in America, highlighting their hardships, survival, and interactions with Native Americans and other settlers until 1646. The book includes discussions of disease, famine, and conflicts with Native Americans.

Informative / Contemplative / Melancholic

- William Bradford originally wrote Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647 in longhand and the manuscript was lost for many years before being rediscovered in a library in England in the mid-19th century.
- The manuscript serves as one of the primary sources for the history of the Pilgrims and includes Bradford's firsthand account of the Mayflower voyage and early years of the Plymouth Colony.
- Bradford's style includes many biblical allusions and references that reflect his strong Puritan beliefs, making the book not only a historical document but also a reflection of the Pilgrims' religious perspectives.

**William Bradford**  
Serving as the narrator and long-time governor of Plymouth Colony, Bradford provides a detailed account of the Pilgrims' experiences and challenges, often from a third-person perspective to maintain objectivity.

**Isaac Allerton**  
A Pilgrim who serves as Bradford's assistant and makes frequent trips to England for business, but ultimately causes trouble with his financial mismanagement and personal profit-seeking.

**Thomas Weston**  
An English merchant who helps finance the Pilgrims' voyage but later exploits them for profit, creating continued troubles for the settlers.

**James Sherley**  
An English businessman involved in the Pilgrims' financial affairs, who becomes entangled in questionable deals, raising doubts about his reliability.

**Squanto**  
A member of the Patuxet Tribe who aids the Pilgrims by serving as an interpreter and teaching them critical agricultural techniques.

**Myles Standish**  
A military leader and Mayflower passenger, Standish is tasked with leading military operations and exploratory expeditions and becomes a prominent figure in the colony's defense.

**John Robinson**  
The minister of the Pilgrim congregation in Leyden, Robinson provides spiritual guidance to the settlers, though never making the journey to America himself.

**Edward Winslow**  
A leader of the Pilgrim community, Winslow plays significant roles in diplomatic and financial endeavors, including voyages between England and Plymouth.

**Robert Cushman**  
An agent for the Pilgrims who engages in initial negotiations with investors and plays an important role despite some missteps in securing terms.

**John Carver**  
One of the organizers of the Pilgrims' voyage and the first governor of Plymouth Colony, who plays an integral role in the initial settlement phase.

**Thomas Morton**  
A settler at a nearby colony who becomes a source of conflict for the Pilgrims due to his unorthodox practices and interactions with Native Americans.

**John Lyford**  
A minister sent to Plymouth who conspires to form a new church, leading to tensions and ultimately being expelled from the colony.

**Edward Ashley**  
A trader with business interests near Plymouth, whose interactions with the Pilgrims involve contentious business dealings.

**Massasoit**  
The chief Sachem of the Pokanoket, who establishes a critical alliance with the Pilgrims through communication facilitated by Squanto.

**Uncas**  
A Sachem of the Monhigg Tribe known for his friendly relations with nearby English colonies, playing a key role in the region's political landscape.

William Bradford

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Book 1

Book 1, Chapters 1-3

Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647 Book 1, Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Book 1, Chapters 4-6

Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647 Book 1, Chapters 4-6 Summary & Analysis

Book 1, Chapters 7-10

Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647 Book 1, Chapters 7-10 Summary & Analysis

Book 2

Book 2, Chapters 1-3

Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647 Book 2, Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Chapters 4-6

Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647 Book 2, Chapters 4-6 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Chapters 7-9

Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647 Book 2, Chapters 7-9 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Chapters 10-12

Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647 Book 2, Chapters 10-12 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Chapters 13-15

Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647 Book 2, Chapters 13-15 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Chapters 16-19

Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647 Book 2, Chapters 16-19 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Chapters 20-22

Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647 Book 2, Chapters 20-22 Summary & Analysis

Book 2, Chapters 23-26

Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647 Book 2, Chapters 23-26 Summary & Analysis

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