The Wordy Shipmates
by Sarah Vowell
The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell holds a well received rating of 3.66 out of 5, based on 17.5K reader ratings. First published in 2008. The book spans 272 pages.
About The Wordy Shipmates
The Wordy Shipmates is an exploration of the Puritans and their journey to America to become the people of John Winthrop's "city upon a hill"—a shining example, a "city that cannot be hid."To this day, America views itself as a Puritan nation, but Vowell investigates what that means—and what it should mean. What was this great political enterprise all about? Who were these people who are considered the philosophical, spiritual, and moral ancestors of our nation? What Vowell discovers is something far different from what their uptight shoe-buckles-and-corn reputation might suggest. The people she finds are highly literate, deeply principled, and surprisingly feisty. Their story 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, Christlike Christian, or conformity's tyrannical enforcer? Yes! Was Rhode Island's architect Roger Williams America's founding freak or the father of the First Amendment? Same difference. What does it take to get that jezebel Anne Hutchinson to shut up? A hatchet. What was the Puritans' pet name for the Pope? The Great Whore of Babylon. Sarah Vowell's special brand of armchair history makes the bizarre and esoteric fascinatingly relevant and fun. She takes us from the modern-day reenactment of an Indian massacre to the Mohegan Sun casino, from old-timey Puritan poetry, where "righteousness" is rhymed with "wilderness," to a Mayflower-themed waterslide. Throughout The Wordy Shipmates is rich in historical fact, humorous insight, and social commentary by one of America's most celebrated voices. Thou shalt enjoy it.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Sarah Vowell |
| Published | 2008 |
| Pages | 272 |
| Genres | Non-Fiction, History, Religion & Spirituality, Biography & Memoir, Biography & Memoir |
| Average Rating | 3.66 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 17,541 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Wordy Shipmates?
The Wordy Shipmates is categorized as Non-Fiction, History, Religion & Spirituality, Biography & Memoir. Its primary genre classification is Biography & Memoir.
Is The Wordy Shipmates worth reading?
Based on 17.5K reader ratings, The Wordy Shipmates has an average score of 3.66 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is The Wordy Shipmates?
The Wordy Shipmates has 272 pages.
Who wrote The Wordy Shipmates?
The Wordy Shipmates was written by Sarah Vowell. It was first published in 2008.
What is the ISBN for The Wordy Shipmates?
The ISBN-13 for The Wordy Shipmates is 9781594489990.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
