Reviews for Whole History Of Grandfather's Chair Or True Stories From New England History 1620 To 1803

The average rating for Whole History Of Grandfather's Chair Or True Stories From New England History 1620 To 1803 based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2015-07-06 00:00:00 Nicholas Tamburrino Another Literary Birthday Challenge choice, this time in honor of Nathaniel Hawthorne. This book combines the fancied history of a chair with the very real history of various people and events important in America's early days. I thought the concept of this book was charming, and was encouraged by the first paragraph of Hawthorne's preface: "In writing this ponderous tome, the author's desire has been to describe the eminent characters and remarkable events of our annals in such a form and style that the YOUNG may make acquaintance with them of their own accord. For this purpose, while ostensibly relating the adventures of a chair, he has endeavored to keep a distinct and unbroken thread of authentic history. The chair is made to pass from one to another of those personages of whom he thought it most desirable for the young reader to have vivid and familiar ideas, and whose lives and actions would best enable him to give picturesque sketches of the times. On its sturdy oaken legs it trudges diligently from one scene to another, and seems always to thrust itself in the way, with most benign complacency, whenever an historical personage happens to be looking round for a seat." We follow the chair from its arrival in America on the good ship Arbella through the ups and downs of Colonial times until many years later Grandfather buys it at an auction. Famous and infamous names are dropped and brief histories are shared about those names and how their actions affected the country. I admit I struggled a bit with this book at first. Grandfather seemed very judgmental, such as when he is talking about Anne Hutchinson, a Puritan spiritual advisor and one of the few outspoken women of her time. He says: "She was a very sharp-witted and well-instructed lady, and was so conscious of her own wisdom and abilities that she thought it a pity that the world should not have the benefit of them." Is that supposed to be a compliment? When I first read the sentence, all I could think was 'Oh,Meow!' But overall this was interesting and a nice little refresher course for a few events that I had forgotten ever learning about in school. Although it is never said outright, I am fairly certain that Grandfather was Nathaniel Hawthorne himself. And just in case you are wondering: yes, George Washington sat here!

Review # 2 was written on 2019-11-14 00:00:00 Alton Willoughby One of the best classics I have ever read! Totally loved it! Was just as good the second time around!