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Thanksgiving :

Title :

Thanksgiving : the holiday at the heart of the American experience / by Melanie Kirkpatrick.

Title:

Thanksgiving :

Author:

Kirkpatrick, Melanie

Format:

Books

Physical Description:

xvi, 279 pages : illustrations ; 21 cm

Edition:

First American Edition.

ISBN:

9781594038938

Production / Publication Information:

New York : Encounter Books, 2016.

Bibliography note:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Language:

English

Geographic Term:

United States -- Social life and customs.

Subject Term:

Thanksgiving Day -- History.

Holidays -- United States -- History.

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Material Type	Library	Call Number	Item Barcode	Location
Book	Searching... Dracut - Moses Greeley Parker Memorial Library	394.2649/KIR	31482002726233	Searching... Unknown
Book	Searching... Haverhill Public Library	394.2649/KIRKPATRICK M	31479006300072	Searching... Unknown
Book	Searching... Newburyport Public Library	394.2649 KIR	32128003882108	Searching... Unknown
Book	Searching... Tewksbury Public Library	HOLIDAY / KIR	32132002892118	Searching... Unknown
Book	Searching... West Newbury - G.A.R. Memorial Library	394.2649 KIR	32135001347216	Searching... Unknown
Book	Searching... Westford - J.V. Fletcher Library	394.2649 KIR	31990004398363	Searching... Unknown

We all know the story of Thanksgiving. Or do we? This uniquely American holiday has a rich and little-known history beyond the famous Pilgrim feast of 1621.

Melanie Kirkpatrick journeys through four centuries to craft a vivid portrait of our nation's best-loved tradition in Thanksgiving: The Holiday at the Heart of the American Experience . Drawing on newspaper accounts, official documents, private correspondence, and cookbooks, she illuminates what the holiday has meant to generations of Americans.

Presidents play key parts: Washington proclaimed our first national day of Thanksgiving amid controversy over his constitutional power to do so. Lincoln aimed to heal a fractured nation when he called for all Americans to mark a Thanksgiving Day. FDR sparked a debate on states' rights by changing the traditional date of the holiday. The story also includes the evolution of Thanksgiving dinner, how football became part of the celebration, and how Native Americans view the holiday.

While the rites and rituals have evolved, the essence of Thanksgiving remains the same: family and friends feasting together in a spirit of hospitality and gratitude. Kirkpatrick's exploration of America's oldest tradition offers a fascinating look into the meaning of the holiday we celebrate on the fourth Thursday of November.

With Readings for Thanksgiving Day and historic Recipes & Bills of Fare.

Reviews (1)

Booklist Review

Everyone thinks they know all about Thanksgiving, but Kirkpatrick proves otherwise with this well-researched, entertaining study. Formerly with the Wall Street Journal, Kirkpatrick delves into the origins and practices of the popular holiday, examining history, religion, hospitality, football, turkey, and thanks. She uses excerpts from period writings to debunk some popular depictions of the first Thanksgiving, highlights other early celebrations, and tells the backstory of the Pilgrims. Although George Washington read the first Thanksgiving proclamation, it was Abraham Lincoln (with some prodding from magazine editor Sara Joseph Hale) who made it a national holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Kirkpatrick also illuminates the Native American perspective, documenting the fact that some tribes consider the holiday a day of mourning rather than rejoicing. Excerpts from selected readings and traditional menus and recipes round out the book. In the end, Kirkpatrick presents Thanksgiving as a day to celebrate gratitude, generosity, and inclusion. Filled with facts and fun, this involving exploration of the holiday will be a welcome addition to library collections.--Smith, Candace Copyright 2016 Booklist

Introduction: Newcomers	p. ix
Chapter 1 The First Thanksgiving	p. 1
Chapter 2 Before the Pilgrims	p. 21
Chapter 3 America Discovers the Pilgrims	p. 41
Chapter 4 George Washington Sets the Stage	p. 55
Chapter 5 Thanksgiving's Godmother	p. 73
Chapter 6 The Turkey Bowl	p. 91
Chapter 7 Happy Franksgiving	p. 109
Chapter 8 Day of Mourning	p. 127
Chapter 9 Helping Hands	p. 143
Chapter 10 Turkey Day	p. 161
Afterword: Five Kernels of Com	p. 181
Readings for Thanksgiving Day	p. 189
Thanksgiving Recipes and Bills of Fare	p. 233
Acknowledgments	p. 249
Notes	p. 255
Index	p. 267

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