About the book
Long celebrated as a symbol of the country’s origins, Plymouth Rock no longer receives much national attention. In fact, historians now generally agree that the Pilgrims' storied landing on the Rock never actually took place — the tradition having emerged more than a century after the arrival of the Mayflower.
In Memory’s Nation, however, John Seelye is not interested in the factual truth of the landing. He argues that what truly gives Plymouth Rock its significance is more than two centuries of oratorical, literary, and artistic celebrations of the Pilgrims' arrival. Seelye traces how different political, religious, and social groups used the image of the Rock on behalf of their own specific causes and ideologies. Drawing on a wealth of speeches, paintings, and popular illustrations, he shows how Plymouth Rock changed in meaning over the years, beginning as a symbol of freedom evoked in patriotic sermons at the start of the Revolution and eventually becoming an icon of exclusion during the 1920s.
Originally published in 1998.
A UNC Press Enduring Edition — UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.
Editions of Memory's Nation
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807824153
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807865934
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807867044
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890869630
Read an Excerpt
Long celebrated as a symbol of the country’s origins, Plymouth Rock no longer receives much national attention. In fact, historians now generally agree that the Pilgrims' storied landing on the Rock never actually took place — the tradition having emerged more than a century after the arrival of the Mayflower.
In Memory’s Nation, however, John Seelye is not interested in the factual truth of the landing. He argues that what truly gives Plymouth Rock its significance is more than two centuries of oratorical, literary, and artistic celebrations of the Pilgrims' arrival. Seelye traces how different political, religious, and social groups used the image of the Rock on behalf of their own specific causes and ideologies. Drawing on a wealth of speeches, paintings, and popular illustrations, he shows how Plymouth Rock changed in meaning over the years, beginning as a symbol of freedom evoked in patriotic sermons at the start of the Revolution and eventually becoming an icon of exclusion during the 1920s.
Originally published in 1998.
A UNC Press Enduring Edition — UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Memory's Nation about?
Long celebrated as a symbol of the country’s origins, Plymouth Rock no longer receives much national attention. In fact, historians now generally agree that the Pilgrims' storied landing on the Rock never actually took place — the tradition having emerged more than a century after the arrival of the Mayflower.
In Memory’s Nation, however, John Seelye is not interested in the factual truth of the landing. He argues that what truly gives Plymouth Rock its significance is more than two centuries of oratorical, literary, and artistic celebrations of the Pilgrims' arrival. Seelye traces how different political, religious, and social groups used the image of the Rock on behalf of their own specific causes and ideologies. Drawing on a wealth of speeches, paintings, and popular illustrations, he shows how Plymouth Rock changed in meaning over the years, beginning as a symbol of freedom evoked in patriotic sermons at the start of the Revolution and eventually becoming an icon of exclusion during the 1920s.
Originally published in 1998.
A UNC Press Enduring Edition — UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Memory's Nation?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of Memory's Nation?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807824153
How long is Memory's Nation and how many pages does it have?
Memory's Nation has 720 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Memory's Nation?
John Seelye
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Memory's Nation is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807824153) and paperback(ISBN 9780807865934) and ebook(ISBN 9780807867044) and pdf(ISBN 9798890869630)
Where can I buy Memory's Nation online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Memory's Nation from below
Where can I buy Memory's Nation?