Wicked Awesome History Books of 2013

  These are some of the books I read this past year:

• Mayflower : A Story of Courage, Community and War by Nathaniel Philbrick - This is the accounting of the settling of Plymouth, Massachusetts It cover's the Pilgrims trip on the Mayflower to the King Philip's war in 1675-76. This book would be a very good starting point if you really want to know more of this era in New England which focus's on the Plymouth Colony.
• The Devil in Massachusetts by Marion Lena Starkey - This is an authoritative account of the infamous witch trial's that started in Salem(now Danvers), Massachusetts in 1692. This uncovers what was a dark time in Massachusetts history.
• The Cape Cod Canal by J. North Conway - This is an accounting of how and why it took almost 300 years to have this iconic Massachusetts landmark become a reality.
• Solved: The Mystery of the General Arnold by DMA Lenny Cavalaro - This attempt to explain who's shipwreck can still be seen in Plymouth Harbor off historic Plymouth, Massachusetts. Is it the wreck of the brig General Arnold which ran aground during a Christams Day Nor'easter which brought wind snow and sub zero temperatures which took the lives of most of the crew.  
• The Wreck of the Whaleship Essex by Owen Chase - This is the first hand account Essex First Mate, Owen Chase after their ship was sunk by an angered Sperm whale in the Pacific Ocean. Where the survivors hung on a faced the wide open ocean, exposure and starvation before being rescued.
• Flintlock & Tomahawk:New England in King Philip's War by Douglas Edward Leach - This is an accounting of the often overlooked King Phillip War that occurred in colonial New England in 1675-76. This is a very good resource if your new to the subject.
• King Phillip's War: The History of America's Forgotten Conflict by Eric B. Schultz, Michael Tougias. - King Philip's War was a devastating in colonial times. It did mark a turning point of the Native American influence in the region.
• The American Revolution: A History by Gordon S. Wood - You can't talk about the American Revolution without Massachusetts. Although a relatively short book it did pack a good punch. It focuses more about causes and philosophical revolution that occured than just a mere chronological retelling of the conflict.
• Foxborough: The Gem of Norfolk County by Jack Authelet - This is written by Foxboro native Jack Authelet. We learn of the birth and growth of the community that hosts the well known NFL New England Patriots.