The Wordy Shipmates
by Sarah Vowell
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Book Reviews of The Wordy Shipmates
Book Review: Not as Good as Assassination Vacation But It's Still Good Vowell
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I really enjoy Sarah Vowell's work and I've often recommended Assassination Vacation , so I had pretty high expectations for The Wordy Shipmates.
At its core The Wordy Shipmates is a very interesting book. Vowell takes a look at a very specific time and space in American History and shines a light into many preconceived notions of the Puritans and their experience in early America.
What's missing from The Wordy Shipmates is Vowell herself. In Assassination Vacation, Vowell's own journey was the glue which held the book together. Here that kind of journey is mostly absent and so the book often gets stalled in the historical content.
That all said, it is a fascinating book and Vowell is immensely talented. My instinct though is that hearing her read this story would be more enjoyable and entertaining than reading it, and this comes from someone who rarely listens to audio books.
So if you're a Vowell fan, do check this book out, albeit with lower expectations as it's no Assassination Vacation.
Book Review: American Beginnings
Summary: 4 Stars
Just read this recently. Not bad. I largely disagree with Vowell's commentary on contemproary politics presented within, but it's kept to a minimal amount here. Otherwise, great book, and often very funny. History of the less-renowned Massachusetts Bay Colony, settled by the Puritans in 1630. Shows a depth of research - I appreciated it for it's account of the religious issues in 17th century England, which is often cited as the reason for the Puritan's flight to the new world, but rarely elaborated on. Vowell cites how the bookish and journal-obsessed Puritans laid the foundations for much of America's culture, such as the founding of Harvard, and she profiles key figures such as theological rebel Anne Hutchinson, and Bay Colony outcast and eventual founder of Rhode Island, Roger Williams - whose religious tolerance provides a nice counterpoint to the missionairy zeal of colony leader John Winthrop, the coiner of the phrase, 'City on a hill.' As Vowell puts it, contrary to their dour and forbidding image, the early Puritan settlers were often quite feisty; they were not above doing such things as cutting off a person's ears to quell dissent. And then there was the business with the Indians. Interesting times. All in all, a good read, and informative - shows that American history didn't just start in 1776.Book Review: A Great History That Was A Joy To Read
Summary: 5 Stars
The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell was a joy to read. I love getting my hands on a good history, but many are so fact filled, that they just put the reader to sleep. Sarah Vowell's work, The Wordy Shipmates, is a great historical essay filled with humor and a great read. It is one of the better histories I have read of our "Puritan Forefahters." Vowell moves beyond the the uninformed standard view of Puritans, Puritanism, being Puritanical, etc. In this book she took great pains to to show what a complex religious and social movement was the Puritan movement. All the major New England 17th century players are featured in this work, Winthrop, Cotton, Williams, Hutchinson and so on. The great bonus here is the writer's sense of humor. She is not high minded. Ms. Vowell understands that despite our best intentions we fail, but she admires that the Puritans keep trying, even when they get it wrong. The book is also a bit autobiograhical of Ms. Vowell's life and she ties that in well. The writer doesn't fall into the 21st century trap of wagging her finger at those ignorant folks of times past. Good for her. If this book has a negative, for me, so what, Elvis Costello didn't like Margaret Thatcher. Because of this book I have ordered other works by Sarah Vowell. Please keep writing Sarah.Book Review: Entertaining History
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
As a descendant of the Puritans I was glad to see Sarah Vowell follow-up her wildly successful Assassination Vacation with a book about these founding fathers. As a fan of Vowell's work on NPR I knew I'd be in for a fun read. But don't go thinking this is just a narrative history book. If kids could learn American history from books like this, they'd be enthralled and never skip class.
Vowel somehow manages to weave present day rock stars such as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones into 17th Century New England history. She has become an expert at giving a historical account with a bit of a twist in her own unique voice. Through stories about John Winthrop, Roger Williams, and Ann Hutchinson she gives readers a unusual look at life in 1600s America.
Sarah Vowell has become a master at educating readers on American history while entertaining them. Dead presidents, Puritans - I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!
Book Review: The Wordy Shipmates
Summary: 4 Stars
Anyone who appreciates Sarah Vowell's writing is in for a real treat. The Wordy Shipmates is an uncomplicated presentation of history with a heavy dose of stream of consciousness commentary. Vowell grew up in the church, Pentecostal to be exact, and has an amazing grasp of 17th-century American theology for a layperson. Don't be scare though--her presentation is straightforward and easily understood. I feel like I know a great deal more about the Puritans after reading The Wordy Shipmates. Vowell was inspired to write about the Puritans following September 11th. During those hardest of days, Vowell took comfort in Winthrop's words, "We must delight in each other...mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, our community as members of the same body."
Vowell's writing is witty and thoughtful. I found myself struck by an innovative thought either of Sarah's or inspired by her throughout my reading. I enjoyed her discussion of Reagan's usurpation of Winthrop's "city on a hill" phrase (from the same speech quoted above). The Wordy Shipmates is filled with the intellectual curiosity, wit, and sarcasm Vowell pours into all her work.