American Documents: The Mayflower Compact

by Judith Lloyd Yero

The eagerly awaited final title in National Geographic's popular American Documents series completes the broad sweep of the collection by casting all the way back to our country's original document of record, the Mayflower Compact. The date is November 10, 1620. After 66 days at sea crammed into a space about the size of a basketball court, the Pilgrims―as the 101 surviving passengers of the Mayflower became known―arrived on America's shores. They were an ocean away from their home country and hundreds of miles from where they were supposed to settle in the Virginia Colony. To survive in the wilderness of this strange, new land, they would need some rules for governing themselves and their community. The document they wrote is known as the Mayflower Compact. In fewer than 200 words, it laid the groundwork for democracy in America. The Mayflower Compact    • an engaging, interactive, and age-appropriate text, vetted by experts   • 40 pages generously illustrated with period artwork and archival photographs   • biographies of key figures in the document's history   • the entire text of the original document and a complete list of its signatories   • excerpt from Mourt's Relation, written by Edward Winslow and William Bradford, two of the colony's founding fathers   • the charter of the Colony of New Plymouth   • Web links to further information   • a detailed glossary and indexThe core curriculum topics of pre-colonial and colonial American history are viewed through the prism of this cornerstone document and students are made aware of its relevance to their 21st century lives. This book is essential for any school, public, or home library. The Mayflower Compact acts as a valuable reminder of the time when America was merely an ideal being shaped in the minds of our forefathers, eager to escape oppression and create a better world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent nonfiction book! Definitely for older readers and adults looking to brush up on their history. It contains the full text of The Mayflower Compact in addition to numerous interesting facts and information about the first colonists of America and their voyage on the Mayflower. Full-color illustrations and photographs depicting history excite young readers. I was finding as I glanced through it to see if there was information I could share with my preschooler that I wanted to sit down and read it myself.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good synopsis for young children.

[Nancy Taylor]

I am searching names for my ancestry. Very helpful information and learned a bit. This National Geographic book is found in the children's section of the library.