QUAKER-ROOTS-L Archives

Archiver > QUAKER-ROOTS > 2003-08 > 1060628741


From: Tom Hamm <>
Subject: Re: [Q-R] The Peaceable Kingdom
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2003 14:17:01 -0800
References: <154.22c19a1a.2c6533bb@aol.com>
In-Reply-To: <154.22c19a1a.2c6533bb@aol.com>


These books are historical fiction, which means that they have some
basis in fact but are partly imaginative. (That's why until the
1860s Friends were skeptical about novels and fiction generally.) I
confess that I've never liked them very much, but that's a matter of
personal taste. If Quaker history is your interest, then there are
better introductions available, such as John Punshon's Portrait in
Grey or Hugh Barbour and J. William Frost's The Quakers.

T Hamm



>I just finished reading a historical novel, The Peaceable Kingdom, about the
>start of Quakerism in Lancashire, England, 1652, and the beginning of their
>"Holy Experiment" in the Pennsylvania, 1754-1755. The book cover says the
>author, Jan de Hartog, and his wife are active members in the
>Religious Society of
>Friends. For that reason I believe he is integrity-bound to tell the story
>consistently with facts as they are known.
>
>He goes into great detail telling about how Margaret Fell worked to clean up
>the children's prisons in England and begin schools for disadvantaged
>children. The part about Quakers in PA tells of their struggles (external and
>internal) in dealing with Native Americans (Indians) and
>African-Americans (mostly
>slaves at that time).
>
>I plan to get its sequel from my library today, The Peculiar People, about
>Quakers in Indiana.
>
>Joan Benton
>
>
>==== QUAKER-ROOTS Mailing List ====
> HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THIS LIST: Send an email to:
>
> The ONLY word in your message should be UNSUBSCRIBE.


--

This thread: