In collaboration with the History Book Festival, join us to talk with David J. Silverman, author of This Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving, one of the books featured at the 2020 virtual History Book Festival.

The year 2020 marks the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower. This book looks at the Plymouth colony’s founding events through the eyes of the Wampanoag people, who have long contended that the tale of the first Thanksgiving that most Americans are familiar with is not history but a myth that sugarcoats the viciousness of colonialism for Native peoples. The Pilgrims were not arriving at a desolate wilderness: in fact, human civilization in the Americas was as rich and ancient as in Europe. Personal stories and oral histories highlight the Wampanoags’ ongoing struggle for self-determination.

David J. Silverman is a professor at George Washington University, where he specializes in Native American, Colonial American, and American racial history. He lives in Philadelphia.

We invite you to support the author by purchasing a copy of her book from the Festival's official bookseller, Browseabout Books, by clicking HERE. Call-in orders are accepted or you can stop by the store to purchase a copy. For store hours, please visit their website. You also may purchase a copy at biblion in Lewes. Each copy purchased comes with a signed archival bookplate.

NOTE: this meeting is being conducted through Zoom. You MUST REGISTER to receive instructions for joining the meeting.

If you have need assistance with registration or getting your Zoom invitation, please email the History Book Festival.

Basic written instructions for using Zoom may be found here and a brief video tutorial may be found here.