Review of "… If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620," by Ann McGovern

Review of

… If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620, by Ann McGovern ISBN 0590451618

Five out of five stars

 This book presents the journey of the pilgrims to the New World in a manner that matched their condition, unwashed. They spent over 60 days in tight quarters eating poor food and wearing the same clothes. The only water available for washing was sea water and since they were traveling in the North Atlantic late in the year, the water would have been very cold.

 The most significant point made concerns the Native Americans that they encountered when they arrived. Often lost in the historical accounts is the fact that were it not for the aid of the inhabitants, the colony that was the forerunner of their near extinction could not have survived without the help of the Native Americans, specifically Squanto and Chief Massasoit. The Native Americans taught the colonists how to grow the native crops and hunt the abundant game. Furthermore, the Native Americans did not hunt the colonists to extinction, something they could easily have done.

 A quality rendition of the difficulties encountered by the migratory group we now call the Pilgrims; this book is a worthy addition to all libraries at the elementary school level.