King Philip's War: The Conflict Over New England

Witness to History

by Daniel R. Mandell

Between 1675 and 1676, King Philip's War shattered native tribes and devastated the new English colonies in one of the most significant American wars of the 17th century. The conflict that triggered this terrible war developed over 50 years, as Indians found their lands shrinking and their resources threatened by the colonists. The powerful Pequot and Narragansett tribes were subjugated, and Wampanoag leader King Philip (Metacom) saw his lands taken and his counselors executed. In July 1675, his warriors started an uprising that gained the support of other tribes and sent refugees streaming into Boston. King Philip's War is a penetrating account of this decisive confrontation, which ultimately led to the end of native independence in the area.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

144 pages, Library Binding

First published May 30, 2007

Reviews

[Susan Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little-Known War

A well-researched book about early New England colonists' war with Native Americans. It sheds interesting light on Pilgrims and their relations with their neighbors, both European and Native.

[David Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent narrative of one of the defining series of events that shaped early New England. Mandell has done excellent research in piecing together the story of King Phillip's War and in describing the events leading up to it. While the narrative flows smoothly and is particularly engaging, it is largely a tale of what happened without telling the reader how everything happened. Those of us familiar with the many accounts of battles in modern history, and even in European history of the time period, may be disappointed by the lack of detail.

Overall, this book has taught me more than any other book that I can recall in recent memory. The topic is definitely neglected in the popular consciousness.

[Zachary Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many books on King Philip's War, many of which are much more well known this, but Daniel Mandell's book is the best. Why? First, the book isn't trying to make a methodological argument about the colonial period or Native Americans. It simply gives a straight forward narrative of what happened. Second, this book does not ignore the northern theater of the war with the Wabanakis.

If you want to learn about King Philip's War this is the first book you should read. The others are great, but this is the most direct history of the event.

[Alexandra Grieco · Rating 3 out of 5]

read this for school

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comprehensive but a slog of a read.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really solid piece of history which delves into the multifaceted and far reaching forumlative struggle of northeastern colonial history.

[Scriptor Ignotus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little primer on one of the largest Indian wars in the history of North America.