The Puritan Way of Death A Study in Religion, Culture, and Social Change

This is more than a book about Puritans or about death. It is also about family, community, and identity in the modern world. The book is an intelligent and highly original study of 17th-century attitudes toward death, which were profoundly different from those in our own time. Prof. Stannard's object is not merely to understand that period but to provide a perspective on the present. He skillfully combines historical research with important hypotheses concerning social change. The book rests upon a strong command of social science literature and is written with grace and style. Illustrations. "A richly diverse and highly readable book that skillfully combines historical research with important hypothesis concerning social change."