John Winthrop . . .219

Mary Rowlandson . . . 231

Anne Dudley Bradstreet . . . 241

Sarah Kemble Knight . . . 253

Elizabeth Ashbridge . . . 261

Benjamin Franklin . . . 271

John Adams . . . 285

American colonists had limited access to reading materials. Not only were most books still being published in Europe, but also Puritans forebade the reading of any literature except the Bible, religious poetry, and personal narratives. Although Puritans lived mainly in New England, their influence extended to the other colonies. Therefore the earliest form of American literature was autobiographical poetry, essays, and narratives in which people examined their souls and shared their experiences—much like participants in television "talk shows" today. One the best-known spiritual autobiographies was written by Puritan minister John Winthrop. Excerpts from his book, John Winthrop's Christian Experience, detail his struggle to lead a godly life. Perhaps the most popular narrative at the time was written by colonists who had been captured by Native Americans and survived to...