Wednesday, May 19: The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell

To this day, America views itself as a Puritan nation, but Sarah Vowell investigates what that means-and what it should mean. What she discovers is something far different from what their uptight shoebuckles- and-corn reputation might suggest-a highly literate, deeply principled, and surprisingly feisty people, whose story is filled with pamphlet feuds, witty courtroom dramas, and bloody vengeance. Vowell 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.

Discussion leader: Elaine Fossett Rittershaus

Please go to www.medfordhistorical.org events page to register.

The event is co-sponsored by the Medford Historical Society & Museum and the Friends of the Medford Public Library. It will be presented on Zoom and you must register on Eventbrite in advance. Books for each session will be available at the Library at the beginning of the previous month. Call the Library at 781-395-7950 to have a copy checked out to you for no-contact pickup or if you need assistance registering.