This book is a reference book, giving the history of the Puritans from before leaving England thru the 1600's. In the preface, the author says that it is for the study of the Massachusetts Bible State. This is to study the Puritan experiment. This wasn't done in England because the Puritans never had the power. This type of state is difficult to define, but ends up with an oligarchy. John Winthrop, William Bradford, Cotton Mather & others are quoted as giving contemporaneous accounts of early Massachusetts history. The historians task is to analyze & interpret. This book was written in the early 20th century. ( )

Well written and documented on the rise and fall of the Puritans in America. Made me realize that some religions are in place to ensure economic prosperity for its elite and congregation. ( )