
THE WHOLE HISTORY OF GRANDFATHER’S CHAIR - or TRUE STORIES FROM NEW ENGLAND HISTORY, 1620-1808
By Nathaniel Hawthorne
AUTHOR’S PREFACE
GRANDFATHER’S CHAIR.
PART I. 1620-1692.
CHAPTER I. GRANDFATHER AND THE CHILDREN AND THE CHAIR.
CHAPTER II. THE PURITANS AND THE LADY ARBELLA.
CHAPTER III. A RAINY DAY.
CHAPTER IV. TROUBLOUS TIMES.
CHAPTER V. THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ENGLAND.
In this charming historical tale, a sturdy oak chair becomes an unlikely narrator, guiding listeners through the early days of New England from the Pilgrims’ arrival to the turmoil of the late seventeenth century. As the chair changes hands, it offers glimpses of real figures and events, allowing young ears to picture the lives of settlers, ministers, and ordinary families while feeling the comforting presence of a familiar piece of furniture.
The story opens with a gentle grandfather soothing his grandchildren with a request for a bedtime story, and the chair itself steps into the spotlight, eager to share the adventures it has witnessed. Through its travels, listeners encounter bustling farms, solemn meetings, and the quiet moments that shaped a region, all narrated with a tone that balances factual detail and vivid imagination. It’s an inviting way for children to connect with history, feeling the texture of the past without being overwhelmed by heavy doctrine.
Full title
The Whole History of Grandfather's Chair Or, True Stories from New England History, 1620-1808
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (329K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer, and David Widger
Release date
1999-10-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1804–1864
Best known for The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables, this classic American writer brought moral tension, mystery, and the shadows of New England history into unforgettable fiction. His stories often explore guilt, secrecy, and the uneasy pull of the past.
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