John Josselyn’s An Account of Two Voyages to New-England is a fascinating, first-person snapshot of the early American colonies. It’s not a single, flowing narrative, but a collection of observations, lists, and stories from his two trips—first in 1638 and then again 25 years later in 1663. Think of it as part travel diary, part naturalist’s field guide, and part settler’s survival manual, all filtered through the eyes of an Englishman trying to make sense of a strange new land.

The Story

There isn’t a traditional plot. Instead, Josselyn takes us on a tour. He describes the perilous Atlantic crossing, his first impressions of the rugged coast, and the fledgling settlements. He writes with genuine wonder about the wildlife, giving us some of the earliest European descriptions of creatures like hummingbirds and raccoons. He notes practical things: how to cook with pumpkins, what plants can cure illnesses, and the best way to deal with mosquitoes. The heart of the book lies in the contrast between his two visits. In 1638, he saw a raw, precarious frontier. By 1663, he returned to find established towns, farms, and a society that had profoundly changed. His writing captures that moment of rapid transformation, often with a tone of surprise at how much had been accomplished—and perhaps, what had been lost.

Why You Should Read It

You should read this to get the history without the polish. Textbooks give us dates and policies; Josselyn gives us the smell of the forest and the taste of unfamiliar food. His voice is direct and often funny. He’s amazed by snowshoes, skeptical of some Puritan customs, and meticulously records everything from shipbuilding techniques to local gossip. Reading him, you feel like you’re getting the unofficial, behind-the-scenes tour. The themes are all about encounter and adaptation. It’s a record of a world in collision: European knowledge meeting Native American reality, old traditions bumping up against necessary new ones. You see the daily grind of building a life from nothing, which is far more compelling than any grand political saga.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who loves primary sources and wants to step beyond the broad strokes of history. It’s for readers who enjoy natural history, early travel writing, or just incredibly specific details about how people lived. If you’ve ever read a novel set in colonial America and wondered, "But what did they actually eat?" Josselyn has your answer. It’s not a fast-paced adventure, but a rich, slow immersion into a world that feels both alien and familiar. Approach it like a museum visit—dip in and out, savor the oddities, and let Josselyn be your slightly bewildered but always observant guide to a world long gone.