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Mayflower The Voyage from Hell
A RIVETING ACCOUNT OF THE VOYAGE OF THE MAYFLOWER that looks at the reality behind the mythical status and the journey that created the New World. Most of the voyagers of that famed 1620 crossing of the Atlantic were not in fact religious pilgrims but people intent on forging a better life for themselves in the virgin territory of America's east coast.
130 hardy souls were confined in a space no bigger than a tennis court, braving the "Northern Crossing' without any firm idea of what awaited them in the New World.
Published to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the fabled crossing of the “Pilgrim Fathers” from Plymouth, England. The pilgrims, who held Puritan Calvinist religious beliefs, sighted land at Cape Cod and first anchored in Provincetown Harbour on November 11/12 1620. And from there went on to found the Plymouth Colony.
130 hardy souls were confined in a space no bigger than a tennis court, braving the "Northern Crossing' without any firm idea of what awaited them in the New World.
Published to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the fabled crossing of the “Pilgrim Fathers” from Plymouth, England. The pilgrims, who held Puritan Calvinist religious beliefs, sighted land at Cape Cod and first anchored in Provincetown Harbour on November 11/12 1620. And from there went on to found the Plymouth Colony.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
272 people are currently reading
1244 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Jackson
105 books16 followersThere is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.
Kevin Jackson's childhood ambition was to be a vampire but instead he became the last living polymath. His colossal expertise ranged from Seneca to Sugababes, with a special interest in the occult, Ruskin, take-away food, Dante's Inferno and the moose. He was the author of numerous books on numerous subjects, including Fast: Feasting on the Streets of London (Portobello 2006), and reviewed regularly for the Sunday Times.
From: http://portobellobooks.com/3014/Kevin...
Kevin Jackson was an English writer, broadcaster and filmmaker.
He was educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge. After teaching in the English Department of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, he joined the BBC, first as a producer in radio and then as a director of short documentaries for television. In 1987 he was recruited to the Arts pages of The Independent. He was a freelance writer from the early 1990s and was a regular contributor to BBC radio discussion programmes.
Jackson often collaborated on projects in various media: with, among others, the film-maker Kevin Macdonald, with the cartoonist Hunt Emerson, with the musician and composer Colin Minchin (with whom he wrote lyrics for the rock opera Bite); and with the songwriter Peter Blegvad.
Jackson appears, under his own name, as a semi-fictional character in Iain Sinclair's account of a pedestrian journey around the M25, London Orbital.
Adapted from Wikipedia
Kevin Jackson's childhood ambition was to be a vampire but instead he became the last living polymath. His colossal expertise ranged from Seneca to Sugababes, with a special interest in the occult, Ruskin, take-away food, Dante's Inferno and the moose. He was the author of numerous books on numerous subjects, including Fast: Feasting on the Streets of London (Portobello 2006), and reviewed regularly for the Sunday Times.
From: http://portobellobooks.com/3014/Kevin...
Kevin Jackson was an English writer, broadcaster and filmmaker.
He was educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge. After teaching in the English Department of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, he joined the BBC, first as a producer in radio and then as a director of short documentaries for television. In 1987 he was recruited to the Arts pages of The Independent. He was a freelance writer from the early 1990s and was a regular contributor to BBC radio discussion programmes.
Jackson often collaborated on projects in various media: with, among others, the film-maker Kevin Macdonald, with the cartoonist Hunt Emerson, with the musician and composer Colin Minchin (with whom he wrote lyrics for the rock opera Bite); and with the songwriter Peter Blegvad.
Jackson appears, under his own name, as a semi-fictional character in Iain Sinclair's account of a pedestrian journey around the M25, London Orbital.
Adapted from Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
January 16, 2015
A short book recounting the Mayflower voyage. I'm going to also read Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford, one of the passengers on the Mayflower. It's always better to get the story directly from the horse's mouth, so to speak.
I came into the book knowing only that one of my Grandfathers was Thomas Rogers, that he had his son on board ship with him, that he was one of the authors of the Mayflower Compact, and that he died the first winter from illnesses contracted during the journey. The two Rogers men had left Mother and four younger children at home in order to travel to a new world.
Rogers is mentioned only once in this book and that is on the list of the dead. Even so, I learned a few things about my early relative - whose son lived a long and fruitful life in his new home, Plymouth Plantation. The death list told me that Rogers was one of the group of "Saincts" who wanted to practice their separatist faith . They didn't call themselves Pilgrims and were not fleeing immediate persecution, but in fact, had been living as a group at Leyden which is in the Netherlands. He was not one of the other fifty or so passengers called the "Strangers." That half of the passenger list wasn't an organized group, and had other motives for traveling to the new world.
I learned not to confuse the Mayflower Pilgrims with the Massachusetts Bay Puritans who settled not far away but ten years later. Our Mayflower group did not go on to execute witches or hang Quakers!
Years later, Rogers' daughter, who was only ten on the year of the voyage, married and, with her husband, followed her brother to the new world. She was my 12th Great Grandmother.
A nice recounting of the past which gives me a thirst for greater knowledge and a need to do the research.
I came into the book knowing only that one of my Grandfathers was Thomas Rogers, that he had his son on board ship with him, that he was one of the authors of the Mayflower Compact, and that he died the first winter from illnesses contracted during the journey. The two Rogers men had left Mother and four younger children at home in order to travel to a new world.
Rogers is mentioned only once in this book and that is on the list of the dead. Even so, I learned a few things about my early relative - whose son lived a long and fruitful life in his new home, Plymouth Plantation. The death list told me that Rogers was one of the group of "Saincts" who wanted to practice their separatist faith . They didn't call themselves Pilgrims and were not fleeing immediate persecution, but in fact, had been living as a group at Leyden which is in the Netherlands. He was not one of the other fifty or so passengers called the "Strangers." That half of the passenger list wasn't an organized group, and had other motives for traveling to the new world.
I learned not to confuse the Mayflower Pilgrims with the Massachusetts Bay Puritans who settled not far away but ten years later. Our Mayflower group did not go on to execute witches or hang Quakers!
Years later, Rogers' daughter, who was only ten on the year of the voyage, married and, with her husband, followed her brother to the new world. She was my 12th Great Grandmother.
A nice recounting of the past which gives me a thirst for greater knowledge and a need to do the research.
December 14, 2014
Good Primer For A Better Understanding of the "Pilgrims"
I decided to borrow this short read prior to the American Thanksgiving as I wanted to see what new insight I might obtain on what has unfortunately become a controversial group. Although, as a history buff, some of the information contained within the book was not news to me, the essential details given on the history of the group gives one a better comprehension of the Separatists or Pilgrims and why they did what they did. The book is balanced, revealing them as not only faithful Christians, but survivors in that first harsh winter which killed so many. We are rewarded with the telling of a story so many THINK they know, but due to myths and innuendos and outright lies, actually do not. As a Christian myself I appreciated that the author did not, as some so-called historians might, portray these people with offensive stereotypes before mocking their faith in God.
A perfect little read to enjoy before any Thanksgiving.
I decided to borrow this short read prior to the American Thanksgiving as I wanted to see what new insight I might obtain on what has unfortunately become a controversial group. Although, as a history buff, some of the information contained within the book was not news to me, the essential details given on the history of the group gives one a better comprehension of the Separatists or Pilgrims and why they did what they did. The book is balanced, revealing them as not only faithful Christians, but survivors in that first harsh winter which killed so many. We are rewarded with the telling of a story so many THINK they know, but due to myths and innuendos and outright lies, actually do not. As a Christian myself I appreciated that the author did not, as some so-called historians might, portray these people with offensive stereotypes before mocking their faith in God.
A perfect little read to enjoy before any Thanksgiving.
February 1, 2025
This is a short yet surprisingly detailed history of the Mayflower's voyage. It includes background information on the crew, pilgrims, and "strangers" who sailed for 67 horrendous days across the northern Atlantic to settle in Plymouth, North America, and the political and religious reasons for their pilgrimage.
It's well written but lacks noted resource information. It's obvious that much of the information comes from the writings of William Bradford, one of Plymouth's early Governors.
It's well written but lacks noted resource information. It's obvious that much of the information comes from the writings of William Bradford, one of Plymouth's early Governors.
May 9, 2015
This was a well written, well thought out piece of work. I was especially glad to see that Kevin Jackson differentiated the Pilgrims/Separatists from the Puritans (they arrived about ten years later). The Pilgrims were a much more compassionate group and didn't persecute those of opposing religious views as the Puritans did. While at least half of those brave souls aboard the Mayflower came to the new world to practice their religion in liberty, the other half came for a different reason. Those individuals came in search of of something better than they had back in England. It is quite remarkable that most made the crossing alive considering the horrid conditions they endured. I think that reading this book will be a positive experience for most Americans. Perhaps it will give people a sense of gratitude for our hardy, humble, daring forbears. I highly recommend this one.
July 15, 2017
Interesting
A bit too much detail at times but nevertheless an interesting account of the mayflower voyage, details before, and the aftermath
A bit too much detail at times but nevertheless an interesting account of the mayflower voyage, details before, and the aftermath
January 5, 2015
An enjoyable book but I did find that jumping around from different dates rather than chronological took something away from the reading. That said, the story was a nice consolidation of the events of the Mayflower and her journey's. To read how religion influenced our first leaders really points out that the separation of church and state did not remotely exist and ironically religion was used to form the newly arriving government and their morals and responsibilities to each other. The struggles they survived during the initial building of this country really showed the resolve of people who were seeking Religious and Social Freedoms that we all take for granted today. There is much more to this story but,this gives a nice summary of the Mayflower.
December 1, 2020
Mayflower: The Voyage From Hell
Found this book interesting as to how compassionate people were facing such so many hardships. People working toward a common goal only to die of overworking themselves with malnourished bodies & poor living conditions. Knowing the hardships they would be facing would be enough to make me stay in England.
Found this book interesting as to how compassionate people were facing such so many hardships. People working toward a common goal only to die of overworking themselves with malnourished bodies & poor living conditions. Knowing the hardships they would be facing would be enough to make me stay in England.
July 16, 2022
After slogging through the nearly 1,100 pages of tiny print of Atlas Shrugged (and I do mean slogging—at times, reading Ayn Rand’s magnum opus was like trying to run through thigh-deep mud), I went looking for something shorter and easier to read. Perusing the new books at my local community college library, my eyes were drawn to Mayflower: The Voyage from Hell, by Kevin Jackson. So I checked it out and found it short, eminently readable, and (to a history buff) interesting. But still, I was disappointed. From the title and from the blurbs on the back cover, I was expecting the book to be more about the actual voyage from England to Massachusetts. Instead, some details about the voyage are indeed given, but most of the book chronicles events leading up to the voyage, and events of the first two years after the Pilgrims established their colony in the New World. Don’t misunderstand—the information was concise and accurate. But four months ago, I read the excellent American Heritage Junior Library volume The Pilgrims and Plymouth Colony, which gave a better, more thorough history of the same events. So when I read Mayflower, I wasn’t looking for a rehash of the same information, but was looking for more specific information on the ship and on the voyage itself.
July 7, 2017
A brief look at history and faith.
This is a wonderful account of the history of the pilgrims and their decision that changed and shaped the modern world as we know it. It wasn't their plan which was to escape the percussion they faced and build a new life for themselves. But you may already know all that so read on and find out about some of the personalities that shaped our lives today. There are many other s that have done so but it is part of our great story and we'll worth a read.
This is a wonderful account of the history of the pilgrims and their decision that changed and shaped the modern world as we know it. It wasn't their plan which was to escape the percussion they faced and build a new life for themselves. But you may already know all that so read on and find out about some of the personalities that shaped our lives today. There are many other s that have done so but it is part of our great story and we'll worth a read.
March 10, 2018
Glancing look at the Mayflower's voyage of 1620, starting at the reasons, who was on board, where did it depart and when. Covering the deaths on board and how the families settled in to the new world and their engagements with the indigenous population.
A good read for anyone who lives in the US and has forgotten the history of the country and why a white population lives there. I read to discover more about Edward Winslow who is from Droitwich Spa.
A good read for anyone who lives in the US and has forgotten the history of the country and why a white population lives there. I read to discover more about Edward Winslow who is from Droitwich Spa.
November 27, 2017
I was gifted this book on Thanksgiving and as it was such a short read I got started straight away. As a book it left me with even more questions than when I started which I guess is a good thing. It certainly cleared up a lot of confusion around the famous Mayflower voyage. I just wish it had a little more depth.
March 15, 2021
Great history lesson for misinformed Americans
I was surprised how little I knew of our early settlers to America. I’m ashamed to say it’s a real eye opener to discover how little I understood Our Thanksgiving celebration and am amazed this through history is sorta skimmed through our schools today, but then again God’s Grace is not mentionable today...so
I was surprised how little I knew of our early settlers to America. I’m ashamed to say it’s a real eye opener to discover how little I understood Our Thanksgiving celebration and am amazed this through history is sorta skimmed through our schools today, but then again God’s Grace is not mentionable today...so
June 30, 2021
This book filled in a lot of the missing pieces I had about the Mayflower people, how they organized, what drove them to take such a hard voyage and settle in a new land, with little or no provisions or conveniences. It seperated some fiction from hard facts and has made me want to look deeper into the people and their motivation.
February 20, 2017
Excellent historic account of the lives of the people on the Mayflower. It WAS hell, diseases, unsanitary conditions, bad weather, death. Not what we picture when we think of the Mayflower. I recommend this book to people who like to get the inside scoop on our nation's beginnings.
September 16, 2017
This was a short non-fiction account (62 pages) and I enjoyed it. Had some good information I did not know and was easy to read. Piqued my interest to read more in-depth stories about this, such as Nathanial Philbrick's one.
September 20, 2017
Too brief for such a compelling tale. Swathes of information skipped, notably the crossing and life / setting up... but it's good if you want the broad strokes in a quick read. Puts some misconceptions right, which was good.
February 14, 2018
I finally finished with Mayflower: Just read with a large glass of water. Very dry. Plenty of info and historical background., But I could have only read 1st chapter and last 3 chapters and known all I needed.
October 6, 2021
I found this to be a quick read and a very interesting account of the voyage of the Mayflower and those on the ship (and other ships at the time). It reads more like a novel than a historical account, so that might be better for some readers who are not history-oriented. I really liked this book!
March 26, 2017
It was a very quick read, though slightly disjointed. It read a little like a term paper on the Mayflower.
July 3, 2017
An interesting read
November 3, 2017
Too many people in such a short book, it is like a quick summary book rather than a descriptive story.
November 23, 2017
Short enough but felt like a really boring history lesson...
November 30, 2017
'Twas OK...
January 9, 2018
Brief but engaging
I learned a few new smaller details about he Mayflower and her crew. A worthy, short read if you are interested in a cursory glance at the time.
I learned a few new smaller details about he Mayflower and her crew. A worthy, short read if you are interested in a cursory glance at the time.
June 28, 2018
It was a good little read new info I never had before etc. Loved the way individuals were treated.
August 11, 2018
Pilgrims and Puritans
A clear description of the Mayflower’s passengers and their early life in America, together with their reasons for going there.
A clear description of the Mayflower’s passengers and their early life in America, together with their reasons for going there.
August 29, 2018
This made a "surprise" appearance on my Kindle but I found it informative and surprisingly enjoyable to read.
February 17, 2019
The huge number of typos spoiled this for me.
August 7, 2019
A concise helpful account of the Mayflower voyage, who was on the ship, and their difficulties in settling in America
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews