ebooks The First Thanksgiving: What the Real Story Tells Us About Loving God and Learning from History by Robert Tracy McKenzie in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Historic and romanticizedBy R. DelPartoOne of the unique aspects about reading about history and the events that shape its narratives is the different perspectives and interpretations that also arise as one looks further to a particular event. Historian Robert Tracy Mckenzie examines the most quintessential holidays celebrated each year for his book The First Thanksgiving: What the Real Story Tells Us About Loving God and Learning From History. Thanksgiving day has been observed as a holiday for over 100 years but does one know exactly the origins and story behind the day? Mckenzie provides great detail in his narrative and sheds light on what became the most romanticized events in history through folklore; art and literature; and historical memory.The legend of Thanksgiving as depicted in early history textbooks dating back as far as the nineteenth century was based on Mayflower Compact and the landing of religious separatists from Leiden; England onto Plymouth Rock; Massachusetts in 1620. However; there has been different perspectives written such as William Bradford’s experiences in 1621 and artist and Bradford’s assistant Edward Winslow’s portrait of the first Thanksgiving that differ from the real-life pilgrims that may not have peacefully sat and gave thanks along side with the Wampanoag Indians. Despite that sentiment McKenzie’s intent of examining this historic day is not to debunk the past but rather to present to readers more insight of how and why the holiday has transcended through time from its early beginnings and has been portrayed in its most identifiable form; as a historian Mckenzie also asserts his Christian faith in the book and uses examples from brief quotes from scriptures from the Bible and parallels it to the past. Mckenzie writes with utmost honesty and with a critical eye of how the past is written and retold through collective memory and subjectivity; and present-day events that have an effect on how history is presented at a particular time and place. Thanksgiving has experienced a transformation from how it was originally portrayed 200 years after 1621; and importantly; stereotyped from the types of foods were actually eaten to the attire that was worn; inaccurately displayed in a Currier and Ives painting in 1876 of pilgrims wearing dark clothing with white collars; silver buckle shoes; and black hat – in actuality they wore bright colors; a red suit and violet cloak.After reading The First Thanksgiving; readers may wonder which story they would prefer the legend that does not appear to be going anytime soon or simply understanding what Mckenzie has presented with much enlightened details. The bottom line; the past is the past; but how one chooses to observe historic holidays such as Thanksgiving – turkey dinner with oysters and scallop shells or a game of football; it is up to the reader.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Not an "everything you thought you knew was wrong" kind of history!By James C. McGlothlinExcellent and readable book! This is not your typical "everything you thought you knew about historical event or person X is wrong"--though there are some well-liked ideas about Thanksgiving that are surprisingly burst. I highly recommend it if you're interested in the history of America's beloved Thanksgiving holiday.Also; more generally; the author does an excellent job of explaining good historical research while also highlighting likely pitfalls of such research. I greatly appreciated his insights on not making idols of our historical heroes as well not using history for self-serving or self-justifying ends. As he says; this is easier said than done; but it is a good word of warning.I bought this as just a fun and informative read. I did not suspect that I would be enlightened to so much about the moral virtues of scholarly research. Though not a historian; I want to thank you Dr. McKenzie for writing this wonderful little book!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. a very helpful way to understand historyBy Jason GThe First Thanksgiving by McKenzie ostensibly about the Plymouth Colony's 1621 harvest celebration and its effect in creating modern America's annual Thanksgiving celebration; is really three books in one: a examination of what actually happened that led up that harvest celebration; an examination of how it effected what became American life in the centuries that have followed; and showing how real historiography is done; particularly in McKenzie's case; as a Christian who is called to examine the facts; interpret them fairly and perhaps show what they mean for how modern people interact with their own past.It is in this roughly 200 page book's examination of what real historiography really looks like; is where it really shines. If; as some theologians have said; that every person who thinks about God and spiritual things; is a theologian; then McKenzie show how every person who thinks about past events is a historian; and how each person does historiography in understanding and interpreting the past matters greatly.His examination and fair attempt to place these Pilgrims in their context and make them understandable to people today is great because it helps show how foreign they are; and at the same time; makes them accessible. He has done some serious research in work with the original documents and even the later colonial and state Thanksgiving proclamations. By showing how the Pilgrims became a device for later generations to have a historical anchor for an annual reflection for a receding year.For those of us today; he councils and warns against using these events as props; for our own hobby horses; but to treat them fairly; as fallen people struggling to honestly live out a life before their God honestly.This little volume succeeds in doing three things quite well; and interweaving them into a compelling narrative.