John Fiske is a prolific history author of the mid and late Nineteenth Century. He was a student at Harvard during the Civil War, and after a brief career as an attorney, returned to Harvard as a history professor. His knowledge of history is extensive and authoritative.

Fiske's "The Beginnings of New England" is really two books - the first two chapters tell a story of the political and philisophic forces that converged as the American Revolution - from Greek and Roman government and the essential role of the Puritan tradition to distinguish, unify, and polarize New England.

The remainder of the book tells the story of the 17th and 18th Century series of events that saw the various New England communities founded, the causes and outcomes of King Philip's War, the French and Indian war in the context of worldwide events, and the unstoppable series of events on both shores of the Atlantic that led to the American Revolution.

It's a revelation to read an account of early American history that is free of current political correctness and spin. Professor Fiske speaks to our generation perhaps even more urgently than he spoke to his own.

Read and enjoy. It's a little thick and complex, but well worth it!
jc