The Wordy Shipmates

By: Sarah Vowell

Narrated by: Sarah Vowell

Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

The Wordy Shipmates is New York Times best-selling author Sarah Vowell's exploration of the Puritans and their journey to America to become the people of John Winthrop's "city upon a hill" - a shining example, a "city that cannot be hid."

To this day, America views itself as a Puritan nation, but Vowell investigates what that means - and what it should mean. What was this great political enterprise all about? Who were these people who are considered the philosophical, spiritual, and moral ancestors of our nation? What Vowell discovers is something far different from what their uptight shoe-buckles-and-corn reputation might suggest. The people she finds are highly literate, deeply principled, and surprisingly feisty. Their story is filled with pamphlet feuds, witty courtroom dramas, and bloody vengeance. Along the way she asks:

Was Massachusetts Bay Colony governor John Winthrop a communitarian, a Christlike Christian, or conformity's tyrannical enforcer? Answer: Yes!

Was Rhode Island's architect, Roger Williams, America's founding freak or the father of the First Amendment? Same difference.

What does it take to get that jezebel Anne Hutchinson to shut up? A hatchet.

What was the Puritans' pet name for the Pope? The Great Whore of Babylon.

Sarah Vowell's special brand of armchair history makes the bizarre and esoteric fascinatingly relevant and fun. She takes us from the modern-day reenactment of an Indian massacre to the Mohegan Sun casino, from old-timey Puritan poetry, where "righteousness" is rhymed with "wilderness," to a Mayflower-themed waterslide. Throughout, The Wordy Shipmates is rich in historical fact, humorous insight, and social commentary by one of America's most celebrated voices. Thou shalt enjoy it.

©2008 Sarah Vowell (P)2008 Simon & Schuster

Witty and entertaining!

Sarah Vowell is a witty and entertaining author, in both her written words and the spoken performance. Give her a listen!

Armchair history at it's best

Very entertaining and well delivered. The history is good and delivered in such an easy going lighthearted style that it's sometimes hard to forget that your learning something.

great book. Author shouldn't have narrated.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I almost could not finish it due to the author/narrator's voice which is a shame because it is a beautifully written story which deserves much better. Thank heavens for the other contributing artists who played parts as well. I only wish they had been given greater portions of the book to play.

What did you like best about this story?

The story is well-written

What didn’t you like about Sarah Vowell, Eric Bogosian, T. Bone Burnett, Jill’s performance?

Sarah Vowell's tone. The other actors' performances were wonderful.

Any additional comments?

I will not buy any other books that Ms. Vowell chooses to narrate herself.

terrible reader

Would you try another book from Sarah Vowell and/or Sarah Vowell, Eric Bogosian, T. Bone Burnett, Jill?

Not if Sarah read her own work

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Wordy Shipmates?

My jaw dropping upon hearing the reader's voice

What didn’t you like about Sarah Vowell, Eric Bogosian, T. Bone Burnett, Jill’s performance?

The writing is very good. But I cannot believe that ANYONE would LET Sarah waste Audible customer's money by allowing her to narrate her work. PLEASE, someone tell this woman she has a voice that no one over the age of 5 can stand to listen to. I wanted my money back upon hearing her voice. I will never buy another book narrated by her.

I liked this a lot

I am always encouraged and captivated by Sarah Vowell's imaginative way of retelling history. What a good read this was. I learned the stories behind the stories I was taught as a child. Thanks to this author who keeps on opening up history for me in new ways.

Thoroughly enjoy

This is a very well researched and interesting story. I particularly enjoyed the different voiced characters and Sarah’s narration.

Sarah Vowell is wonderful

This book was full of stunning research into the foundations of our earliest American ancestors and the motivations that drove them across oceans. The author also caught me by surprise with references to current leaders and politicians that have been cut from the same cloth as their Puritan ancestors. A great book with solid research.

Great story, poor performance

Sarah Vowell is a terrific narrator, really bringing her quirky sense of humor to life. The male voices, especially John Winthrop’s, but not limited to him, are very poor. This might be due to poor micking, but they are frequently inaudible, frequently delivered in a flat monotone that is dull and uninteresting. Hard to believe that no one listened to their voices post-recording and decided to leave them uncorrected.

Too much fun!

Great read. Sarah's voice takes a bit of getting used to, but anyone who loves American history will love this book!

difficult to follow

I generally like Sarah Vowell's work, but this jumped in time and location too much to easily follow. I Would recommend her other books over this one.