1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving (National Geographic)

It is important to me to give my grandchildren a more realistic view of life during the 1600’s. Pictures and text are very well presented

Now it is time to read about the real history that took place on that fateful day in November 1621. It was not initially called Thanksgiving nor was it a holiday. Those two happenings didn't take place until 1947 brought about by a legislation enacted by our President Harry Truman and ratified by our congress. Plus the impromptu feast back in 1621 lasted for three days. Over 90 Native Americans joined with the Puritans (or seperatists if you wish) for the feast. The English settlers, totaling only 52 after their first year at "Plimoth" never referred to themselves as Pilgrims. And there was never an extensive writing about this gathering in 1621. In a letter written in 1621, a total of 115 words described this harvest gathering and later became the basis for the holiday we celebrate today on the 4th Thursday of November, Thanksgiving.The 90 Indians who converged on the Plimoth Colony had nurtured this very land that the English took over just a year earlier for thousands of years. Indians did not believe that anyone could own land. It was simply provided by the great spirit to be used as long as you settled upon it. The Wampanoag Tribe had a history that dated back thousands of years on this very land. The English settlers had a history of less than a year and certainly had no legal or moral right to the land without bargaining for it with the Indians.The harvest gathering lasted for nearly 3 days, not the usual afternoon at Grannies and then back home with left over in tow. You will read about the fruit and vegetables and fowl and deer that were available at the harvest. Fish and shell fish were also abundant. Unfortunately there were no pumpkin pies, whip cream or cranberries at this feast.You will learn more about the Wampanoag People whose name means "People Of The First Light." . They derived this name from the fact that the sun rose each morning on the eastern shore of the Massachusetts' Colony. Much will be revealed about their language and the colonizing of the new world. Daily activities of both people will be discussed. The Indians were very curious about the habits of the English, and the English owe their first year's survival to their growing knowledge of growing corn that the Indians shared with them. Peace remained between the two nations until 1640 when the Indians broke the peace alliance. The fight for land became the key issue as the English population exploded in this territory and their greed for more land caused problems between the two.. The English even began selling the Indians into slavery to traders in the West Indes.With this story you must appreciate the good that took place between these two people and condemn the bad that both inflicted upon one another. But most importantly you will better understand what actually took place at this time and put to rest all the Hollywood exploitation of the facts just to make a good story that would sell movies and books. History must reflect the truth, and this book published by the National Geographic Society is a quality presentation of fact and visuals.This is a wonderful book that every American child should read or have read to them .History must be told in terms of the truth and should never be embellished in order to exploit others. It is only from the truth that we can help avoid common mistakes in the future. We should start our adventure of the beginning of this history with the truth. And you will be glad that you had th8is historically correct works for story telling and reference.

I was hoping this would be written in a lucid enough way to make it understandable to my 6-year-old grandchildren. I think the 11-year-old could read it, but it’s not really engaging enough for a child. I found it educational though, as an adult.

A easy to read account of the true story of the history of 1621. It is indeed elementary and easy to digest for children and adults alike. Every social studies teacher in the U.S. ought to have this in hand for that FALL CURRICULUM segment that they teach starting in PRIMARY SCHOOL!! Well DONE!!

I used this book, among others, for a program called Thanksgiving True or False. It gives an informed look at the beginnings of this holiday and separates myth from truth.

I think I must have missed description on this one. Very brief, illustrated magazine type book. Not exactly what I expected. very elementary .

I love this book! It give the perspective of both the English and the Wampanoag and tells what ACTUALLY happened that first harvest celebration! My mind was blown by what I learned while teaching my kids and reading this book (NOT what I was taught in school!). The pictures are living scenes from the Plimoth Plantation by interpreters. There are even a couple of recipes of both Wampanoag and English dishes that may have been eaten at the 3-day celebration. I highly recommend this title to decolonize your bookshelf, classroom and history!

Great product