True Stories of History and Biography

"True Stories of History and Biography" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a collection of interesting accounts designed for young people, using storytelling to teach them about important people and moments in early America. The book starts with the idea of an ancient chair that supposedly holds many stories, where the character of Grandfather tells tales to a group of eager children, including a girl named Alice. Grandfather shares stories of the chair's past, explaining how it belonged to people like Lady Arbella and Governor Winthrop. His stories talk about the Puritan settlers, their hard times, and their journey to find religious freedom, linking the chair's history to the beginning of the New England colonies and blending interesting events with lessons about life, family, and the passage of time.