Like other reviews, I too was surprised to learn about the religious intolerance held by the first English settlers in America. Yet there is so much more here. Not only will this book revise and challenge your views of American history-it also presents colorful characters and suspenseful action. John Barry does here what every history book should aspire toward. Barry's accounts paint a very readable birds eye view of history while also maintaining focus on the personalities of (sometimes) relatable characters. The subject matter is so interesting to me and I'm disappointed I didn't enjoy this book more. I'd have given it four stars for content if I could have split my rating, but overall, I found my mind wandering quite frequently. Maybe that's more a reflection of me at the moment, but I felt like it couldn't keep my attention as well as other history narratives I've read recently. Perhaps I will pick it up again in a couple of years and see if I change my mind.
I received this book as a giveaway through Goodreads.
—skiz1998
Absolutely recommend. Longer review to come.
—jene5
Tremendously informative and well-written
—Dominiqua
