Francis Bremer

Bremer, Francis. The Puritan Experiment. 1976

This work is primarily a summary of American Puritanism. It places Puritanism within New England within the context of its development in Old England looking primarily at Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Bremer's work begins with several chapters on the development of Puritanism in England describing the evolution of religion, society, and government in the New World within that context. He concludes with a section on the Enlightenment and Great Awakening. Bremer's work is also one that covers various aspects of social history: towns, families, education, the arts, and race relations. One of the primary downfalls of this book is the author's failure to address the socio-economic concerns that factored into the rise of Puritanism in England. Nor does he deal adequately with Darrett Rutman's assertion that Puritanism had little effect on the day to day affairs of New Englanders. This book is a sound overview but inadequate as a synthesis.