Interview with Nathaniel Philbrick: The Mayflower

As the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival in the New World approaches, Nathaniel Philbrick joins Galen on Truro AirWaves to talk about his book Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, War.  Mayflower delivers a thoroughly-researched story that tackles the myths of the Pilgrims and recognizes the complexities and realities of their arrival and its impact on their own lives and the lives of those who already lived here. The podcast covers the myths around the Pilgrims, some highlights from the book, and history as a window into a past that can—but doesn’t necessarily—illuminate the present. Thank you to Nathaniel for spending this time with us! 

00:00 AirWaves Intro

00:31 Welcome, Nathaniel

01:15 Philbricks in Truro

02:12 Myth, Pagentry, and a Complicated Reality

03:41 Pilgrims Improvise

05:57 Effects of a Devastating Pandemic

08:36 History is Personal: Effects of Alliances

11:00 A Brutal Raid and Echoing Chaos

14:00 A First Thanksgiving; Violence and Division; a History that Haunts us Still

16:04 Patterns in Hindsight; Humility in the Present?

18:00 King Philip's War; Lessons to Learn

19:48 Thank yous and Farewell