A Stranger Among Saints

Stephen Hopkins, the Man Who Survived Jamestown and Saved Plymouth

By: Jonathan Mack

Narrated by: Walter Dixon

Sometime between 1610 and 1611, William Shakespeare wrote The Tempest. The idea for the play came from the real-life shipwreck in 1609 of the Sea Venture, which was caught in a hurricane and grounded on the coast of Bermuda during a voyage to resupply England's troubled colony at Jamestown, in present-day Virginia.

A lesser known passenger was Stephen Hopkins. During the 10 months the Sea Venture passengers were marooned on Bermuda, Hopkins was charged with trying to incite a mutiny and condemned to die, only to have his sentence commuted moments before it was to be carried out. In 1620, Hopkins signed on to another colonial venture, joining a group of religious radicals on the Mayflower.

The Pilgrims encountered their own tempest, a furor that started when they anchored off Cape Cod and lasted for their first 12 months in the New World. Disease and sickness stole nearly half their number, and their first contacts with the indigenous Americans were contentious. The entire enterprise hung in the balance, and it was during these trials that Hopkins became one of the expedition's leaders, playing a vital role in bridging the divide of suspicion between the English immigrants and their native neighbors.

©2020 Jonathan Mack (P)2020 Tantor

Fascinating personal story and history lesson!

Jonathan Mack tells the incredible story of a largely unrecognized pilgrim who may well have saved the early colonists and our nascent country. It is an wonderfully told story of a remarkable human being and a very agreeable history lesson. Our nation owes a posthumous thanks to Stephen Hopkins, and a current kudos to Mr. Mack!

Unknown Pilgrim

This is a superb and well researched biography of a little known Mayflower passenger who, at long last, is getting the attention he deserves. As the only passenger to have lived in Jamestown, Hopkins knowledge and experience were invaluable to the Pilgrims. His prior experiences were clearly why this period in our history is the only one without a major war.

Great details

Many surprising facts and details and imaginative recreation. I knew part of the story but was surprised by the new information.

Inspiring

Impressively researched, well-written, and sympathetically presented account of a common man who made extraordinary contributions.

I'm descent.

very interesting on how less then 50 humans can start an entire new world order. also what a horrible way of life. so much misfortune. all in the name of God.

This book makes history come alive

As a descendant of Stephen Hopkins, I’m so grateful for this authors research and the vivid details of life in those colonies. This book is an excellent read.

Wow, this was good

Wonderful history of the Plymouth forefathers and of Hopkins. He is examined in his full humanity, his virtues as well as his flaws, but the balance leaves us with the story of a most remarkable man. Research is excellent, narration superb. Highly recommended.

Related !

wonderful, happy to know I.m related to S. Hopkins. so happy The Famous and Historic Ship, The Mayflower made it Safely.

Great book

This is the history we should have .learned. I understand much more now. Will read it again.

for a deep understanding of American history.

I need in depth history not quick quotes on FB. this audiobook strengthed my understanding of early American history. I have spent countless hours with this audiobook and ones like it. excellent book. I highly recommend it.