Thanks, But No Thanks

What This Book Covers

1. Prologue
2. Chapter One - Before the Pilgrims
3. Chapter Two - The Mayflower Was a Mistake
4. Chapter Three - A Very Awkward Dinner
5. Chapter Four - After the Meal: Fire and Smallpox
6. Chapter Five - Thank God for Victory (Over Natives)
7. Chapter Six - The Woman Who Made It a Holiday
8. Chapter Seven - Norman Rockwell Lied to You
9. Chapter Eight - The Pageant Generation
10. Chapter Nine - Native Resistance Never Stopped
11. Chapter Ten - What’s Actually on the Table?
12. Chapter Eleven - Lies We Still Tell
13. Chapter Twelve - Turkey, Floats, and Football
14. Chapter Thirteen - What Are We Even Thanking?

Excerpt

PROLOGUE THEY TEACH IT with construction paper. You’re six years old, cutting feathers and drawing smiles on pilgrims. Your teacher hands you a paper hat. Maybe you’re the Indian. Maybe the turkey. Maybe Squanto if the cast list is long enough. You don’t question it. It’s just part of the month. You grow up thinking the story is simple: A brave group of Europeans, fleeing oppression, made a dangerous voyage to start a new life. They struggled. They survived. And in a beautiful moment of peace, they broke bread with the people who helped them. Pumpkin pie. Turkey. Gratitude. You know the image. A warm table. A loving family. A Norman Rockwell glow. You’re told to be thankful. For what? It’s...