The Mathers: Three Generations of Puritan Intellectuals, 1596-1728

by Robert Middlekauff

In this classic work of American religious history, Robert Middlekauff traces the evolution of Puritan thought and theology in America from its origins in New England through the early eighteenth century. He focuses on three generations of intellectual ministers―Richard, Increase, and Cotton Mather―in order to challenge the traditional telling of the secularization of Puritanism, a story of faith transformed by reason, science, and business. Delving into the Mathers' private papers and unpublished writings as well as their sermons and published works, Middlekauff describes a Puritan theory of religious experience that is more creative, complex, and uncompromising than traditional accounts have allowed. At the same time, he portrays changing ideas and patterns of behavior that reveal much about the first hundred years of American life.

Genres: Biography, History, American History, Nonfiction, Historical, Church History

460 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

A specialist in colonial and early United States history, Robert L. Middlekauff was professor emeritus of at the University of California, Berkeley.

Reviews

[Sophie Pesek · Rating 2 out of 5]

Primary research for a father/son couple-costume of Increase and Cotton Mather

[Vance Christiaanse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why would you even consider reading a 400-page book on three seventeenth century Puritan thinkers? To learn about colonial New England? Well, this is a rather scholarly work and the author assumes you already know all that. Even the Salem witch trials--are you hoping to learn more about them?--are barely mentioned; apparently the author is writing for readers who don't need to revisit that familiar ground. Because you like biographies? Well, you're not going to get conventional biographies of these men. In fact, I kept having to turn to other sources to get basic biographical data missing from this book.

I ordered the book in a delusional moment of theological interest but, as soon as it arrived, its heft and outdated typeface convinced me I'd made a huge mistake. Instead, I found it gripping from beginning to end. Middlekauff traces the development of Puritan theological thinking over three generations, based partly on diaries and other private correspondence. He deeply "gets" these men while at the same time maintaining objectivity and detachment.

That still sounds like it should be really boring but here's why it's not: the Calvinism described so vividly and thoughtfully in this book is surprisingly close to the Calvinism of today. Examining the diaries of seventeenth century Puritans gives me real insight into the Calvinists I know today (and perhaps even remain to some degree myself).

[Gwynneth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a slog but an interesting viewpoint on why and how Americans are still influenced by the Pilgrims and their religious viewpoints.