For just the reasons you raise, Adm. S E Morison, long U S history professor at Harvard, "translated" the text into readable modern English. His notes are excellent. Copies can be readily found on eBay & amazon, both hardcover & trade paperback. I would agree with you that reading this version first allows you experience a modern conversation, but it is onemediated through Morison's style. Still, you can zip along! The listing below is one example from Abebooks: Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647 By William Bradford edited by Samuel Eliot Morison Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1953. Hard Cover. Book Condition: Excellent. Dust Jacket Condition: Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1953. Book is in excellent condition, owner signed name on first page. DJ is in good condition, some edgewear and a few tears. This is a New Edition: The Complete Text, with Notes and an Introduction by Samuel Eliot Morison. Robert M. Gerrity YANKEE ANCESTRY P. O. Box 2814 Acton, MA 01720 > Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2008 13:51:20 -0600 > From: smit8698@bellsouth.net > To: mayflower@rootsweb.com > Subject: [MFLR] Question about William Bradford's book > > Hello list, > > I would like to know if there is, to anyone's knowledge a > 'contemporary' version, or translation, for lack of a better word, of > William Bradford's book > "Of Plymouth Plantation". I have two of the printed versions, and they > are true to the old language, spelling, etc. That's all well and good, > of course, but I am finding it very tedious to read. Some of it is more > easily understood than the rest, but I find I have to read and re-read > parts of it many times to get the 'gist' of what he is saying. It's > kind of like the King James version of the Bible; while it is readable, > some of it is difficult to decipher because the language is so different > from our modern tongue. I really want to understand all this book has > to say, and I am not sure I am doing that at this point. Please let me > know if there is such a book out there. If there's not, all you > scholars, historians, and writers out there should think about taking on > such a project. I for one would buy it! > > Thanks, > > Linda > Frequently-asked questions may often be answered by visiting the FAQ page for this list at: http://www.craigrich.net/mayfaq.htm > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MAYFLOWER-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message _________________________________________________________________ Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. http://www.windowslive.com/share.html?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_sharelife_012008