My latest read was a new book supplied to me by Thomas Nelson Publishers. It is part of their Christian Encounters series, which profile famous Christians. On their website they say about this series: “Christian Encounters, a series of biographies from Thomas Nelson Publishers, highlights important lives from all ages and areas of the Church. Some are familiar faces. Others are unexpected guests. But all, through their relationships, struggles, prayers, and desires, uniquely illuminate our shared experience.”
I started the series with the story of Anne Bradstreet, the first American female poet ever to have her work published. Anne was a Puritan from England, who moved with her family to America to lay the foundation for the United States. Both her father and her husband were governors of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and Anne was well respected by her peers. She was deeply devoted to her husband and her eight children. Anne had quite a life caring for them, but she also had her own interests, like writing poetry.
Again, from Thomas Nelson: “Anne Bradstreet is recognized as one of the most important figures in the history of American literature, yet the majority of her poetry remained private until after her death. As a Puritan wife and mother, Anne knew that sharing her views and opinions with others was considered a sin, but she clearly valued knowledge and intellect, and was a free thinker. Bradstreet’s work serves as a document of the struggles and hardships of colonial life and is a testament to the plight of the women of the age. Her poetry, filled with the love she had for God, her husband, and her eight children, showcased her intense devotion to being a good wife, mother, and Christian.”
This book, to me, was not a really easy read. It took some concentration. As one who is not that great with remembering history, the book required me to really think about my historical knowledge. However, I chose this book particularly because Mary Anneliese and I are studying this period in our history lesson, and I needed some further background than what we had been reading. The historical accuracy of the book was perfect for what I needed. It provided many of the historically accurate details for which I was looking.
I look forward to reading more books from this series. Would you like to have my copy of Anne Bradstreet? Leave a comment and I’ll choose one lucky person to have it!
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