American Jezebel; The Uncommon Life of Anne Hutchinson, the Woman Who Defied the Puritans by Eve Laplante

American Jezebel; The Uncommon Life of Anne Hutchinson, the Woman Who Defied the Puritans by Eve Laplante

About:

Written by one of Hutchinson's direct descendants, American Jezebel brings both balance and perspective to Hutchinson's story. It captures this American heroine's life in all its complexity, presenting her not as a religious fanatic, a cardboard feminist, or a raging crank—as some have portrayed her—but as a flesh-and-blood wife, mother, theologian, and political leader. The book narrates her dramatic expulsion from Massachusetts, after which her judges, still threatened by her challenges, promptly built Harvard College to enforce religious and social orthodoxies—making her the mid-wife to the nation's first college. In exile, she settled Rhode Island, becoming the only woman ever to co-found an American colony.

Alayne's Thoughts:

What amazed me most about this book is that I live in Rhode Island, grew up here and went to school here and never learned about the tenacity of Anne Hutchinson. (Or maybe it was taught and I was distracted by something more pressing to a 16 year old at the time).

I got to hear Eve Laplante speak about this remarkable story at Roger Williams University and I enjoyed learning about being a direct descendant making the story even that much more intriguing.

This is an easy read of historical brilliance. I recommend this book to everyone.