Nathaniel Philbrick

“The American Revolution as it actually unfolded was so troubling and strange that once the struggle was over, a generation did its best to remove all traces of the truth.”

“Nantucket's English settlers, who first disembarked on the island in 1659, had been mindful of the sea's dangers. They had hoped to earn their livelihoods not as fishermen but as farmers and shepherds on this grassy isle dotted with ponds, where no wolves preyed.”

“In all natural disasters through time, man needs to attach meaning to tragedy, no matter how random and inexplicable the event is.”

“I do work-related stuff on airplanes. Then, when I'm in the hotel room or just vegging out, I read for pleasure.”