Status
Available
Call number
Description
An acclaimed historian and "New York Times"-bestselling author offers a revelatory look at how Roger Williams shaped the nature of religion, political power, and individual rights in America.
Publication
Penguin Books (2012), 477 pages
Pages
441
Similar in this library
ISBN
9781101554265
Collection
Awards
LA Times Book Prize (Finalist — History — 2012)
New England Society Book Award (Winner — Nonfiction — 2013)
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member k.turner_iv
A very informative read about Roger Williams helping to establish democracy in America and trying to get away from some of the conflicting church and state policies having taken place in England, and in being banned from Massachusetts helped set up a new camp in Providence.
Thank you for having this
Thank you for having this
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in a giveaway program also (advance uncorrected proof) and giving me the chance to win and review this copy:) Show Less
LibraryThing member theageofsilt
This is book focuses on the political and religious turmoil in England during the founding of the American colonies as much as on the profound intellectual contributions of Roger Williams. I'm a big fan of Roger Williams, so much of the material that pertained to him was not new. I was most
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surprised by the frequency of interaction between the colonists and England. I had imagined that the colonists were quite isolated. The discussions of the tense relations between the colonies in Massachusetts and Rhode Island were also new material for me. The most entertaining part of the book is at the end when the Quakers begin to arrive in Massachusetts. What a pack of rowdies! The descriptions of how the Puritans dealt with them was a bit less amusing - branding, whipping, cutting off of ears, even hanging. The Puritans had much in common with the Taliban! This is a great book with fresh insight into the important concepts of religious liberty and the separation of Church and state. Show Less
LibraryThing member kaulsu
I listened to this book. Were I twenty years younger I would now buy the hard copy since I think it is a book I will refer to and probably read again. But, now I will probably be content to buy a kindle copy. My "collecting" days are diminishing!
By listening rather than reading, I missed learning
This book added so much depth to my understanding of American history. I had already learned (through my own reading, certainly not through anything taught in school!) that our country was NOT founded on the notion of religious freedom (at least, not for any sect other than the Puritans). I really had only a dim view that Rhode Island fought for that particular banner--and the little I did know was only because I had read that Mary Dyer and family escaped to RI when first banished from the Bay Colony.
It is a long read (and long listen), but worth the effort. Barry did a good job. Richard Poe, the narrator, did a good job also.
By listening rather than reading, I missed learning
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the spellings of so many Indian names. This book added so much depth to my understanding of American history. I had already learned (through my own reading, certainly not through anything taught in school!) that our country was NOT founded on the notion of religious freedom (at least, not for any sect other than the Puritans). I really had only a dim view that Rhode Island fought for that particular banner--and the little I did know was only because I had read that Mary Dyer and family escaped to RI when first banished from the Bay Colony.
It is a long read (and long listen), but worth the effort. Barry did a good job. Richard Poe, the narrator, did a good job also.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Smiley
Well written. What I thought was a biorgraphy of Roger Williams was, in reality, an exploration of the Puritan concept of America and how Williams broke from that concept to create something unique for America.
LibraryThing member auntstace
History - straight history . . . not my typical reading material, but this tome came highly recommended, by an equally avid reader whose opinion I respect. she noted Barry's gift for narrative, how he could take an otherwise dry timeline and tell the story - of nations, government, movements, and
Narrative is definitely Barry's strong suit. He has an especial gift for conveying the nuances of character in just a couple of sentences, and his ability to distill complicated events into clear prose allows the reader to grasp more details than they normally would. He is the perfect author to take on a subject most Americans think they understand, revealing patterns and truths that have been missed by most.
So why should Americans take the time to read about a period of long-past history thy haven't thought about since their schooldays? Because this look back at the earliest beginnings of our nation will bring current day issues and headlines into sharp focus. What happened at the dawn of our democracy has EVERYTHING to do with today's Godless Liberal vs Tea Party Patriot dichotomy.
Pick up Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul for a clear look at both where we have come from and where we are headed.
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individuals. I'm widely read in the area of evangelical Christianity, and thanks to my current position, I'm immersed in the worlds of politics and law. John M. Barry's most recent book, Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul: Church, State, and the Birth of Liberty, plays to all three wheelhouses. But it is a MUST read for anyone who wants to better understand the rise of the ultra-conservative, Tea Party movement, where it comes from and what it eventually leads to.Narrative is definitely Barry's strong suit. He has an especial gift for conveying the nuances of character in just a couple of sentences, and his ability to distill complicated events into clear prose allows the reader to grasp more details than they normally would. He is the perfect author to take on a subject most Americans think they understand, revealing patterns and truths that have been missed by most.
So why should Americans take the time to read about a period of long-past history thy haven't thought about since their schooldays? Because this look back at the earliest beginnings of our nation will bring current day issues and headlines into sharp focus. What happened at the dawn of our democracy has EVERYTHING to do with today's Godless Liberal vs Tea Party Patriot dichotomy.
Pick up Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul for a clear look at both where we have come from and where we are headed.
Show Less
LibraryThing member kybunnies
This book was won in the Goodreads.com First Read giveaway.
This book is only available for pre-order. The release date for this book is set at January 5, 2012
This is a look at how Roger Williams helped to shape and revolutionize religion, political power and individual rights in America.
I do not
The author give life to Roger Williams and taught me a lot that I did not know about this man along with the political power and individual rights in America.
I am amazed that this person seems to be forgotten in American History or maybe teachers and certain powers are trying to make him be forgotten.
This book is very detailed and in-depth. Have a dictionary handy when reading so you will be able to fully understand the meaning in some of the words. This does not take away from the book it only enhances this wonderful book.
The bunnies and I give this book 4-Carrots.
This book is only available for pre-order. The release date for this book is set at January 5, 2012
This is a look at how Roger Williams helped to shape and revolutionize religion, political power and individual rights in America.
I do not
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remember studying about Roger Williams in my American history class in high school. Nor the class I took in college. But This should be one man that a month could and should be devoted to. The author give life to Roger Williams and taught me a lot that I did not know about this man along with the political power and individual rights in America.
I am amazed that this person seems to be forgotten in American History or maybe teachers and certain powers are trying to make him be forgotten.
This book is very detailed and in-depth. Have a dictionary handy when reading so you will be able to fully understand the meaning in some of the words. This does not take away from the book it only enhances this wonderful book.
The bunnies and I give this book 4-Carrots.
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LibraryThing member EHMeeting
There are about 10 or 15 pages that talk about Quakers and none of it is favorable. Quaker theology is dismissed as nothing more than "I am right because God said so", which Roger Williams answered that anyone could claim. Mostly Quakers are mentioned in their disruptive public attention getting
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practices, which almost caused a major breach between Rhode Island and its neighbors Show Less
LibraryThing member ScoLgo
This book tells a remarkable tale about a remarkable man living during remarkable times. If it wasn't real history, it would read as very compelling historical fiction featuring a larger-than-life protagonist. But it really did happen. After reading his book, I also have little doubt that Barry's
Roger Williams was born circa 1603 in England and died in 1683. He is arguably the father of the concept of separating state from church, politics from religion. He was not the first to conceive of the idea but he was the first to 'walk the walk' as it were by founding a community in the New World that allowed its residents the freedom to worship God as they wished without fear of persecution. That community was, and is, Providence, Rhode Island. A generation later, Williams' writings and ideas influenced and informed many of the founding fathers of the United States.
What surprised me while reading this was the fact that Williams was such a maverick in his thinking. I always had a vague idea in mind that the puritans must have been a tolerant bunch since they were escaping persecution in England. What this book informed me is that they were even more intolerant than the English! John Winthrop, governor of the new colonial charter, had a vision for Massachusetts of a "city on a hill", that would shine a beacon of religious conversion unto the wilds of the new world. There was no room for any religious view outside of the puritan one in that vision. Anyone who dared put voice to a dissenting opinion about the nature of religion was banished - often after having their ears cut off! Further offenses against the status quo resulted in even more severe punishment, up to and including being put to death. As a matter of fact, there was a lot of killing described in this book. Many historical figures in both England and New England died violently as a result of heretical convictions. The most horrific method entailed hanging the victim, cutting him down before he died, then disemboweling and drawing and quartering him while still alive. Even King Charles I was executed for treason in 1649. The crowd that gathered to see that particular spectacle was described as shouting with a joyful roar as his head was mounted on a spike on a wall of the Tower of London as though, "... a great victory had been won." Barbaric times. Navigating these treacherous religious and political waters, Roger Williams changed the world with his ideas and also managed to keep his ears, tongue and head until he died of old age at ~80 years old. This speaks volumes to his intelligence, charisma, and personal bravery.
Regarding the book's narrative; As I stated at the beginning, Barry narrates a story that reads like historical fiction. The facts are exhaustively and impressively researched but are also laid out in a riveting fashion. Further reading on the subject is easily found by way of the included bibliography. After a bit of a slow start where Barry describes the political and social landscape of England that Roger Williams grew up in, the book really hits its stride when the focus shifts to the New World. An outgoing personality and deep-thinking individual, Williams was the first Englishman to take time to study and befriend the native Indians. Doing so saved his life on more than one occasion when he angered the puritans in Massachusetts and his Indian friends gave him sanctuary.
Williams' logical thinking, and early influence from such notables as Sir Edward Coke and Sir Francis Bacon, led him to take the view that, "each man is sovereign in his own head", and, "his home is as his own castle." These are rights that we take for granted today but, in those days, few people believed this! In fact, most western people in the 17th century believed in the divine right of kings to rule. That the king's position was appointed directly from God and that, as a result, the king could do no wrong. Today, we view British royalty mostly as wealthy people with no real political power. In Williams' day, the king held the lives of his subjects, (not citizens!), in his hands and there was no one to dispute his divine right to do as he wished with those lives - until Williams came along and began publishing his well-considered thoughts about personal freedoms. Again, how he managed to expound these ideas and keep his head is simply astonishing!
This book is highly recommended to anyone even remotely interested in this period of English and American history. It really is a remarkable work that manages to entertain while it educates. A rare thing, that.
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interpretation is about as accurate a description as you are likely to find.Roger Williams was born circa 1603 in England and died in 1683. He is arguably the father of the concept of separating state from church, politics from religion. He was not the first to conceive of the idea but he was the first to 'walk the walk' as it were by founding a community in the New World that allowed its residents the freedom to worship God as they wished without fear of persecution. That community was, and is, Providence, Rhode Island. A generation later, Williams' writings and ideas influenced and informed many of the founding fathers of the United States.
What surprised me while reading this was the fact that Williams was such a maverick in his thinking. I always had a vague idea in mind that the puritans must have been a tolerant bunch since they were escaping persecution in England. What this book informed me is that they were even more intolerant than the English! John Winthrop, governor of the new colonial charter, had a vision for Massachusetts of a "city on a hill", that would shine a beacon of religious conversion unto the wilds of the new world. There was no room for any religious view outside of the puritan one in that vision. Anyone who dared put voice to a dissenting opinion about the nature of religion was banished - often after having their ears cut off! Further offenses against the status quo resulted in even more severe punishment, up to and including being put to death. As a matter of fact, there was a lot of killing described in this book. Many historical figures in both England and New England died violently as a result of heretical convictions. The most horrific method entailed hanging the victim, cutting him down before he died, then disemboweling and drawing and quartering him while still alive. Even King Charles I was executed for treason in 1649. The crowd that gathered to see that particular spectacle was described as shouting with a joyful roar as his head was mounted on a spike on a wall of the Tower of London as though, "... a great victory had been won." Barbaric times. Navigating these treacherous religious and political waters, Roger Williams changed the world with his ideas and also managed to keep his ears, tongue and head until he died of old age at ~80 years old. This speaks volumes to his intelligence, charisma, and personal bravery.
Regarding the book's narrative; As I stated at the beginning, Barry narrates a story that reads like historical fiction. The facts are exhaustively and impressively researched but are also laid out in a riveting fashion. Further reading on the subject is easily found by way of the included bibliography. After a bit of a slow start where Barry describes the political and social landscape of England that Roger Williams grew up in, the book really hits its stride when the focus shifts to the New World. An outgoing personality and deep-thinking individual, Williams was the first Englishman to take time to study and befriend the native Indians. Doing so saved his life on more than one occasion when he angered the puritans in Massachusetts and his Indian friends gave him sanctuary.
Williams' logical thinking, and early influence from such notables as Sir Edward Coke and Sir Francis Bacon, led him to take the view that, "each man is sovereign in his own head", and, "his home is as his own castle." These are rights that we take for granted today but, in those days, few people believed this! In fact, most western people in the 17th century believed in the divine right of kings to rule. That the king's position was appointed directly from God and that, as a result, the king could do no wrong. Today, we view British royalty mostly as wealthy people with no real political power. In Williams' day, the king held the lives of his subjects, (not citizens!), in his hands and there was no one to dispute his divine right to do as he wished with those lives - until Williams came along and began publishing his well-considered thoughts about personal freedoms. Again, how he managed to expound these ideas and keep his head is simply astonishing!
This book is highly recommended to anyone even remotely interested in this period of English and American history. It really is a remarkable work that manages to entertain while it educates. A rare thing, that.
Show Less
LibraryThing member renclbb
This book incisively links Roger Williams, Edward Coke (judicial review), and Francis Bacon (scientific method versus accepted truth) to 21st century anguish surrounding individual rights in danger from those using legislatures and courts to establish a proscribed morality.
LibraryThing member mattries37315
The founding of the smallest state and its secular character are directly attributed to him and inspired the Founding Fathers, but Roger Williams is a man from a complex time in both England and colonial America. John M. Barry’s Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul: Church, State,
While it takes a while for Barry to focus on Williams and his soon-to-be very revolutionary thinking, he sets the groundwork not only for Williams intellectual and religious development but also the political and cultural context of his life. First and foremost is the political view of the early Stuart monarchs of divine right of kings going up against Magna Carta and Parliament that will eventually set off the English Civil War, and alongside it was the struggle over the Church of England and those Puritans who would not conform to practices that looked decidedly “popish”. It is easy to forget sometimes that England and its American colonies interacted before 1763 and the lead up to the American Revolution, but Barry plainly illustrates that events in each did have an impact on one another whether religiously or politically. Roger Williams’ vision of separation of church and state has come up against John Winthrop’s “city on a hill”, ironically a Puritan version of conform or else mirroring what was happening in England, throughout American history and this was central to Barry’s book even as he followed the live and struggles of Williams. One of the biggest takeaways from the book is that history does not happen in a vacuum as the development of Roger Williams’ revolutionary idea came from a messy political and religious background.
Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul is not only a book about the life of Williams, but Barry shows how Williams was influenced by not only important personages he came in contact with but also how he influenced them.
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and the Birth of Liberty is not only a biography of Williams but a cultural, political, and religious history of his time.While it takes a while for Barry to focus on Williams and his soon-to-be very revolutionary thinking, he sets the groundwork not only for Williams intellectual and religious development but also the political and cultural context of his life. First and foremost is the political view of the early Stuart monarchs of divine right of kings going up against Magna Carta and Parliament that will eventually set off the English Civil War, and alongside it was the struggle over the Church of England and those Puritans who would not conform to practices that looked decidedly “popish”. It is easy to forget sometimes that England and its American colonies interacted before 1763 and the lead up to the American Revolution, but Barry plainly illustrates that events in each did have an impact on one another whether religiously or politically. Roger Williams’ vision of separation of church and state has come up against John Winthrop’s “city on a hill”, ironically a Puritan version of conform or else mirroring what was happening in England, throughout American history and this was central to Barry’s book even as he followed the live and struggles of Williams. One of the biggest takeaways from the book is that history does not happen in a vacuum as the development of Roger Williams’ revolutionary idea came from a messy political and religious background.
Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul is not only a book about the life of Williams, but Barry shows how Williams was influenced by not only important personages he came in contact with but also how he influenced them.
Show Less
LCC
BX6495.W55 B37