New York Instances bestselling author Sarah Vowell explores the Puritans and their trip to America in The Wordy Shipmates. Right now, America sights itself like a Puritan nation, but Vowell investigates what that means — and what it will mean. What was this great political enterprise about? Who were these folks who are considered the philosophical, religious, and moral ancestors of our country? The people she finds are extremely literate, deeply principled, and amazingly feisty. Their story about The Wordy Shipmates is filled with pamphlet feuds, witty courtroom dramas, and bloody vengeance. Along the way she asks:

• Was Massachusetts Bay Colony governor John Winthrop a communitarian, a Christ-like Christian, or conformity’s tyrannical enforcer? Solution: Yes!

• Was Rhode Island’s architect, Roger Williams, America’s founding freak or the father of the Initial Amendment? Same difference.

• What was the Puritans’ pet name for the Pope? THE FANTASTIC Whore of Babylon.

Sarah Vowell’s particular brand of armchair background makes the bizarre and esoteric fascinatingly relevant and fun. She requires us from your modern-day reenactment of an Indian massacre towards the Mohegan Sunlight gambling establishment, from old-timey Puritan poetry, to a Mayflower-themed waterslide. The Wordy Shipmates is rich in historic fact, humorous insight, and sociable commentary by one of America’s most celebrated voices. Thou shalt enjoy it.