Bibliography
On this page you will find nonfiction books, fiction books, websites, and media all pertaining to King Philip's War. Many of these books, especially the primary sources, may be read on www.googlebooks.com.
Primary Sources
Gookin, Daniel, Historical Account of the Doings and Sufferings of the Christian Indians in New England in the Years 1675-1677, University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1836.
Mason, John, Narrative of the Pequot War, S. Kneeland and T. Green, Boston, 1736. Prepare to be appalled by what you read about this earlier conflict (1637) between the Puritans and the Pequots.
Slotkin, Richard and Folsom, James K., editors, So Dreadfull a Judgment: Puritan Responses to King Philip’s War. Wesleyan University Press, Middletown, CT, 1978. In this volume you will find documents written about the War at the time of the War with helpful editorial comment. These are some of the documents you will find in this volume:
Church, Thomas, Entertaining Passages Relating to Philip’s War (excerpts)
Mather, Increase, A Brief History of the Warr with the Indians in New England (excerpts)
Rowlandson, Mary, The Sovereignty and Goodness of God Together with the Faithfulness of His Promises Displayed being a Narrative of the Captivity and Restauration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson (Excerpts)
Wheeler, Thomas, “A Thankfull Remembrance of God’s Mercy to Several Persons at Quaboag or Brookfield.”
Rowlandson, Mary, The Sovereignty and Goodness of God Together with the Faithfulness of His Promises Displayed being a Narrative of the Captivity and Restauration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, Ye Galleon Press, Fairfield, WA, 2000 (Originally published by Samuel Green, Cambridge, MA, 1683.)
This is the first of many subsequent stories written by released captives of natives in later Indian wars. It became a best-seller and is the one primary source that tells what was happening among the native people during the War.
Williams, Roger, A Key into the Language of America, Applewood Books, Bedford, MA, 5th edition reprint, 1936. (Originally published by Gregory Dexter, London, England, 1643.) This is a dictionary of the Narragansett language with a great deal of cultural information.
Secondary Sources
Bodge, George Madison, Soldiers in King Philip’s War, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1976. (Originally published, Boston, 1906.)
http://openlibrary.org/books/OL13510569M/Soldiers_in_King_Philip%27s_war.
Here you will find lists of all the Massachusetts companies who fought during the War. In chronological order, Bodge relates in detail the principal actions of each company. It includes genealogical information about the captains of each company.
Bourne, Russell, The Red King’s Rebellion: Racial Politics in New England 1675-78, Atheneum, New York, NY, 1990. This is a very readable account of the War written with a bit of humor.
Connole, Dennis A., The Indians of the Nipmuck Country in Southern New England, 1630-1750, McFarland & Company, Inc., Jefferson, NC and London, 2001. This is a wonderfully thorough account of the Nipmucks during and immediately after the War.
Drake, James D., King Philip’s War: Civil War in New England, 1675-1676, University of Massachusetts Press, Amherst, NH, 1999. The author puts forward the argument that King Philip’s War should be considered a civil war because some Native Americans fought with the colonists. Many natives, in fact, thought it better to adapt to the new culture rather than to risk losing everything.
Kawashima, Yasuhide, Igniting King Philip’s War, University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, KN, 2001. This is a fascinating account of the trial of 3 Wampanoags accused of the murder of John Sassamon, a native Christian. Their execution by the Plymouth Court precipitated the War.
Leach, Douglas Edward, Flintlock and Tomahawk, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York, NY, 1958. This is a comprehensive account of King Philip’s War – a good book to start with.
LePore, Jill, The Name of War: King Philip’s War and the Origins of American Identity, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, NY, 1998. Read this book only after you have a pretty good idea about the War and its causes. Its thesis is that because only the English colonists could read and write, we have only heard the colonists’ version of the War. LePore identifies documents and episodes that illustrate that the native version of the War was quite different.
Malone, Patrick, The Skulking Way of War, Madison Books, New York, NY, 1991. This book analyzes the weapons and strategy of each side.
McSoy, Steven P., “Because the Bible Tells Me So – Manifest Destiny and American Indians,” Indian Country (online newspaper), September 10, 2004. http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/archive/28210994.html
This is a must read. McSoy explains how the Puritan interpretation of the Bible resulted in our dismissive treatment of the natives beginning with King Philip's War and continuing throughout the settlement of our country.
Peirce, Ebenezer W., Indian History, Biography and Genealogy pertaining to the Good Sachem Massasoit of the Wampanoag Tribe and His Descendants, Zerviah Gould Mitchell, North Abington, MA, 1878. This book relates the War from the native point of view.
Philbrick, Nathaniel, Mayflower, Viking, New York, NY, 2006. This is a wonderful book that starts with the settlement of Plymouth in 1620 and ends with King Philip’s War. The all-inclusive bibliography at the end of the book is amazing.
Richter Daniel K., Facing East from Indian Country: A Native History of Early America, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 2001. This book relates the early history of our country from the natives’ point of view. It should be required reading for every American.
Salisbury, Neal, Manitou and Providence: Indians, Europeans, and the Making of New England, 1500-1643,Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 1982.
This book gives an understanding of the complex root causes of the War and includes a good description of the native culture in New England.
Schultz, Eric B. and Michael J. Tougias, King Philip’s War, The Countryman Press, Woodstock, VT, 1999. In addition to a good synopsis of the War, this book has detailed information about the various sites in New England where important action occurred.
Segal, Charles M. and David C. Stinebeck, Puritans, Indians and Manifest Destiny, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, New York, NY, 1977. Based on early documents, this book reveals the mindset of the Puritans in their dealing with the Indians.
Vowell, Sarah, The Wordy Shipmates, Riverhead Books, New York, NY, 2008.
Vowell writes a biting commentary on the seventeenth century New England Puritans with levity, sarcasm and real scholarship.
Historical Fiction
Ammerman, Mark, Ransom, River Oak, Colorado Springs, CO, 2000.
This book is one of a trilogy about colonial New England. It deals with a Christian Indian, Job Kattennanit, who played an important role in King Philip's War.
Barton, Margaret, New England on Fire! Stories from King Philip's War, Poppet Publications, Tacoma, WA, 2008
The complete story of King Philip's War is told via 24 short stories set in chronological order.
Hunt, Angela Elwell, Rehoboth, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL, 1997. This tale centers on a brother and sister, children of a Christian missionary, who are on opposite sides during King Philip's War.
Jacobs, Paul Samuel, James Printer: a novel of rebellion, Scholastic Press, New York, NY, 1997. Jacobs relates the experiences of a Christian Indian who developed skills prized by the colonists. He is faced with the choice of siding with the English during King Philip's War or returning to his people, the Nipmucs.
Settle, Mary Lee, I, Roger Williams, W. W. Norton & Co., New York, NY, 2001. A very readable story of Roger Williams' life which helps the reader understand distressing decisions he had to make during the War.
Tougias, Michael, Until I Have No Country, Weekender Publishing, Norfolk, MA, 2001. The author is an expert on King Philip's War. Here he weaves an exciting story around a fictional Wampanoag warrior.
TV and Game
We Shall Remain: Episode 1, After the Mayflower, American Experience, 2010 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/weshallremain/
This episode is a wonderful re-enactment of the Pilgrims' first encounter with the native people through the end of King Philip's War.
King Philip's War (boardgame)
This boardgame can be played from ages 10 to adults. It is designed to teach the players about King Philip's War. http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/41100/king-philips-war
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Primary Sources
Gookin, Daniel, Historical Account of the Doings and Sufferings of the Christian Indians in New England in the Years 1675-1677, University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1836.
Mason, John, Narrative of the Pequot War, S. Kneeland and T. Green, Boston, 1736. Prepare to be appalled by what you read about this earlier conflict (1637) between the Puritans and the Pequots.
Slotkin, Richard and Folsom, James K., editors, So Dreadfull a Judgment: Puritan Responses to King Philip’s War. Wesleyan University Press, Middletown, CT, 1978. In this volume you will find documents written about the War at the time of the War with helpful editorial comment. These are some of the documents you will find in this volume:
Church, Thomas, Entertaining Passages Relating to Philip’s War (excerpts)
Mather, Increase, A Brief History of the Warr with the Indians in New England (excerpts)
Rowlandson, Mary, The Sovereignty and Goodness of God Together with the Faithfulness of His Promises Displayed being a Narrative of the Captivity and Restauration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson (Excerpts)
Wheeler, Thomas, “A Thankfull Remembrance of God’s Mercy to Several Persons at Quaboag or Brookfield.”
Rowlandson, Mary, The Sovereignty and Goodness of God Together with the Faithfulness of His Promises Displayed being a Narrative of the Captivity and Restauration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, Ye Galleon Press, Fairfield, WA, 2000 (Originally published by Samuel Green, Cambridge, MA, 1683.)
This is the first of many subsequent stories written by released captives of natives in later Indian wars. It became a best-seller and is the one primary source that tells what was happening among the native people during the War.
Williams, Roger, A Key into the Language of America, Applewood Books, Bedford, MA, 5th edition reprint, 1936. (Originally published by Gregory Dexter, London, England, 1643.) This is a dictionary of the Narragansett language with a great deal of cultural information.
Secondary Sources
Bodge, George Madison, Soldiers in King Philip’s War, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 1976. (Originally published, Boston, 1906.)
http://openlibrary.org/books/OL13510569M/Soldiers_in_King_Philip%27s_war.
Here you will find lists of all the Massachusetts companies who fought during the War. In chronological order, Bodge relates in detail the principal actions of each company. It includes genealogical information about the captains of each company.
Bourne, Russell, The Red King’s Rebellion: Racial Politics in New England 1675-78, Atheneum, New York, NY, 1990. This is a very readable account of the War written with a bit of humor.
Connole, Dennis A., The Indians of the Nipmuck Country in Southern New England, 1630-1750, McFarland & Company, Inc., Jefferson, NC and London, 2001. This is a wonderfully thorough account of the Nipmucks during and immediately after the War.
Drake, James D., King Philip’s War: Civil War in New England, 1675-1676, University of Massachusetts Press, Amherst, NH, 1999. The author puts forward the argument that King Philip’s War should be considered a civil war because some Native Americans fought with the colonists. Many natives, in fact, thought it better to adapt to the new culture rather than to risk losing everything.
Kawashima, Yasuhide, Igniting King Philip’s War, University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, KN, 2001. This is a fascinating account of the trial of 3 Wampanoags accused of the murder of John Sassamon, a native Christian. Their execution by the Plymouth Court precipitated the War.
Leach, Douglas Edward, Flintlock and Tomahawk, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York, NY, 1958. This is a comprehensive account of King Philip’s War – a good book to start with.
LePore, Jill, The Name of War: King Philip’s War and the Origins of American Identity, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, NY, 1998. Read this book only after you have a pretty good idea about the War and its causes. Its thesis is that because only the English colonists could read and write, we have only heard the colonists’ version of the War. LePore identifies documents and episodes that illustrate that the native version of the War was quite different.
Malone, Patrick, The Skulking Way of War, Madison Books, New York, NY, 1991. This book analyzes the weapons and strategy of each side.
McSoy, Steven P., “Because the Bible Tells Me So – Manifest Destiny and American Indians,” Indian Country (online newspaper), September 10, 2004. http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/archive/28210994.html
This is a must read. McSoy explains how the Puritan interpretation of the Bible resulted in our dismissive treatment of the natives beginning with King Philip's War and continuing throughout the settlement of our country.
Peirce, Ebenezer W., Indian History, Biography and Genealogy pertaining to the Good Sachem Massasoit of the Wampanoag Tribe and His Descendants, Zerviah Gould Mitchell, North Abington, MA, 1878. This book relates the War from the native point of view.
Philbrick, Nathaniel, Mayflower, Viking, New York, NY, 2006. This is a wonderful book that starts with the settlement of Plymouth in 1620 and ends with King Philip’s War. The all-inclusive bibliography at the end of the book is amazing.
Richter Daniel K., Facing East from Indian Country: A Native History of Early America, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 2001. This book relates the early history of our country from the natives’ point of view. It should be required reading for every American.
Salisbury, Neal, Manitou and Providence: Indians, Europeans, and the Making of New England, 1500-1643,Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 1982.
This book gives an understanding of the complex root causes of the War and includes a good description of the native culture in New England.
Schultz, Eric B. and Michael J. Tougias, King Philip’s War, The Countryman Press, Woodstock, VT, 1999. In addition to a good synopsis of the War, this book has detailed information about the various sites in New England where important action occurred.
Segal, Charles M. and David C. Stinebeck, Puritans, Indians and Manifest Destiny, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, New York, NY, 1977. Based on early documents, this book reveals the mindset of the Puritans in their dealing with the Indians.
Vowell, Sarah, The Wordy Shipmates, Riverhead Books, New York, NY, 2008.
Vowell writes a biting commentary on the seventeenth century New England Puritans with levity, sarcasm and real scholarship.
Historical Fiction
Ammerman, Mark, Ransom, River Oak, Colorado Springs, CO, 2000.
This book is one of a trilogy about colonial New England. It deals with a Christian Indian, Job Kattennanit, who played an important role in King Philip's War.
Barton, Margaret, New England on Fire! Stories from King Philip's War, Poppet Publications, Tacoma, WA, 2008
The complete story of King Philip's War is told via 24 short stories set in chronological order.
Hunt, Angela Elwell, Rehoboth, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL, 1997. This tale centers on a brother and sister, children of a Christian missionary, who are on opposite sides during King Philip's War.
Jacobs, Paul Samuel, James Printer: a novel of rebellion, Scholastic Press, New York, NY, 1997. Jacobs relates the experiences of a Christian Indian who developed skills prized by the colonists. He is faced with the choice of siding with the English during King Philip's War or returning to his people, the Nipmucs.
Settle, Mary Lee, I, Roger Williams, W. W. Norton & Co., New York, NY, 2001. A very readable story of Roger Williams' life which helps the reader understand distressing decisions he had to make during the War.
Tougias, Michael, Until I Have No Country, Weekender Publishing, Norfolk, MA, 2001. The author is an expert on King Philip's War. Here he weaves an exciting story around a fictional Wampanoag warrior.
TV and Game
We Shall Remain: Episode 1, After the Mayflower, American Experience, 2010 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/weshallremain/
This episode is a wonderful re-enactment of the Pilgrims' first encounter with the native people through the end of King Philip's War.
King Philip's War (boardgame)
This boardgame can be played from ages 10 to adults. It is designed to teach the players about King Philip's War. http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/41100/king-philips-war
Return Home
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