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Cape Cod
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
"Engrossing...entertaining...the perfect book to take to the beach." - Boston Herald
Two families, both carried by the Mayflower across stormy seas... both destined to generations of proud leadership, shameful intrigue, and passion for the sandy crest of land that became their heritage...
This is the story of the Bigelow and Hilyard clans, from their first years on America's shores, through the fury of her wars and the glory of her triumphs, to our own time when young Geoff Hilyard must fight to save both his marriage to a Bigelow heir and the windswept coast he loves. It is a struggle that will take him deep into the past, to a centuries-old feud that never died..And on a dangerous quest for a priceless relic of American history that has lain hidden in the Cape for over two hundred years.
"Engrossing...entertaining...the perfect book to take to the beach." - Boston Herald
Two families, both carried by the Mayflower across stormy seas... both destined to generations of proud leadership, shameful intrigue, and passion for the sandy crest of land that became their heritage...
This is the story of the Bigelow and Hilyard clans, from their first years on America's shores, through the fury of her wars and the glory of her triumphs, to our own time when young Geoff Hilyard must fight to save both his marriage to a Bigelow heir and the windswept coast he loves. It is a struggle that will take him deep into the past, to a centuries-old feud that never died..And on a dangerous quest for a priceless relic of American history that has lain hidden in the Cape for over two hundred years.
713 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
271 people are currently reading
1388 people want to read
About the author
William Martin
371 books388 followersMeet 'the king of the historical thriller' (Providence Journal). William Martin is a New York Times bestselling author of twelve novels, an award-winning PBS documentary, book reviews, magazine articles, and a cult classic horror movie, too. He is best known for his historical fiction, which has chronicled the lives of the great and the anonymous in American history while bringing to life legendary American locations, from Cape Cod to the Sierra foothills during the California Gold Rush. His latest, December '41, sweeps us across America in the weeks after Pearl Harbor and has been hailed as "propulsive," "cinematic,' and "riveting" by critics. He was the recipient of the prestigious 2005 New England Book Award, given to "an author whose body of work stands as a significant contribution to the culture of the region." And in 2015, the USS CONSTITUTION Museum gave him the Samuel Eliot Morison Award. He has three grown children and lives near Boston with his wife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
September 22, 2014
For anyone curious to know more about the history of Cape Cod and its towns, I can highly recommend this Michener-like historic novel. A great summer beach read!
It weaves Puritan family history and actual historic events and people to give one a great sense of both time and place through the past three centuries on the Cape.
I plan on keeping this book as a travel reference and to re-read it in the future to bring a deeper understanding of both what is and previously "was", as I further explore and come to know the Cape Cod towns: Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet, Eastham, Orleans; Brewster, Harwich, Chatham, Dennis, Yarmouth, Barnstable, Sandwich, Mashpee, Sandwich, Bourne and Falmouth.
It weaves Puritan family history and actual historic events and people to give one a great sense of both time and place through the past three centuries on the Cape.
I plan on keeping this book as a travel reference and to re-read it in the future to bring a deeper understanding of both what is and previously "was", as I further explore and come to know the Cape Cod towns: Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet, Eastham, Orleans; Brewster, Harwich, Chatham, Dennis, Yarmouth, Barnstable, Sandwich, Mashpee, Sandwich, Bourne and Falmouth.
January 19, 2013
Its not often i read a book over and over again. But this one is the exception. have just finished this book for the 6th time since it was published, and yet again, fropm the very first page i am transported smack into the story.
it starts with ann amazing begining that drew me into a time on the Cape a thousand years before the pilgrams into the mind of an great pilot whale and then threw the pilgrams and well lets just say it seamlessly goes from them to the present and back again. maaking one feel the times and people , always feeling the cape the times the indians , the growth of America.
i cant say enough about this book, i can only say i know ill read it again and again in the future.
William Martin is a fantastic author ! Backbay is another as are most of his books
Read it for once chapter and youll see, youll not be able to put it down
Enjoy!
it starts with ann amazing begining that drew me into a time on the Cape a thousand years before the pilgrams into the mind of an great pilot whale and then threw the pilgrams and well lets just say it seamlessly goes from them to the present and back again. maaking one feel the times and people , always feeling the cape the times the indians , the growth of America.
i cant say enough about this book, i can only say i know ill read it again and again in the future.
William Martin is a fantastic author ! Backbay is another as are most of his books
Read it for once chapter and youll see, youll not be able to put it down
Enjoy!
August 12, 2014
Why is William Martin not a bigger name in the book world?
I found Cape Cod at a library sale and picked it up for almost nothing, which turned out to be an even bigger bargain than I expected. This is a "wow" story. Starting with the docking of the Mayflower and running through to the mid Eighties, Cape Cod follows the line of two families already divided by thought and principles as they waited to be able to land and then as they settled to raise generations of new Americans.
The story is told intricately and thoroughly with many, many very real characters and real events mixed into the fiction well enough it would be easy to believe every bit of the story actually happened. It is easy to get lost in so many characters, but the genealogy line at the beginning can help that (if you remember it's there). It's a long epic read, but very well worth the time.
I highly recommend it to all Americans and to anyone who wants to better understand America's beginnings. History does, indeed, repeat itself and echo from its past.
from page 317:
But James Otis carried the day, beginning straight after dinner and concluding at six o'clock by the chime of the Old South bell. From exordium to peroration, his voice never faltered, the stentorian strength of it seeming to carry all the way to Cape Cod.
He began by proclaiming, "I am determined, to my DYING DAY, to oppose, with all the powers and faculties God has given me, all such instruments of slavery on the one hand and villainy on the other as this Writ of Assistance is."
He concluded with the audience wrapt in silence. "Let the consequences be what they will, I am determined to proceed and to the call of my country am ready to sacrifice estate, health, ease, applause, and even life. The patriot and hero will do ever thus. And if brought to the trial, it will then be known how far I can reduce to practice principles which I know to be founded in truth."
---
The Writs of Assistance gave England the right to search and seize the colonists' property with no warrant as part of a crackdown on trade regulations.
---
I found Cape Cod at a library sale and picked it up for almost nothing, which turned out to be an even bigger bargain than I expected. This is a "wow" story. Starting with the docking of the Mayflower and running through to the mid Eighties, Cape Cod follows the line of two families already divided by thought and principles as they waited to be able to land and then as they settled to raise generations of new Americans.
The story is told intricately and thoroughly with many, many very real characters and real events mixed into the fiction well enough it would be easy to believe every bit of the story actually happened. It is easy to get lost in so many characters, but the genealogy line at the beginning can help that (if you remember it's there). It's a long epic read, but very well worth the time.
I highly recommend it to all Americans and to anyone who wants to better understand America's beginnings. History does, indeed, repeat itself and echo from its past.
from page 317:
But James Otis carried the day, beginning straight after dinner and concluding at six o'clock by the chime of the Old South bell. From exordium to peroration, his voice never faltered, the stentorian strength of it seeming to carry all the way to Cape Cod.
He began by proclaiming, "I am determined, to my DYING DAY, to oppose, with all the powers and faculties God has given me, all such instruments of slavery on the one hand and villainy on the other as this Writ of Assistance is."
He concluded with the audience wrapt in silence. "Let the consequences be what they will, I am determined to proceed and to the call of my country am ready to sacrifice estate, health, ease, applause, and even life. The patriot and hero will do ever thus. And if brought to the trial, it will then be known how far I can reduce to practice principles which I know to be founded in truth."
---
The Writs of Assistance gave England the right to search and seize the colonists' property with no warrant as part of a crackdown on trade regulations.
---
March 2, 2012
The Bigelows and the Hilyards have lived on Cape Cod for going on four centuries, and they began getting on each other's nerves while still on the Mayflower. William Martin, way back in 1992, wrote a saga about these families. Jack Hilyard is a nonconformist trouble maker, and Ezra Bigelow builds his life around what he perceives to be divine providence. Right down to the present day, their descendants have feuded about land, religion, race relations, money, independence, and whatever other issue is important at the moment.
But it seems the Mayflower's captain, Christopher Jones, wrote a journal about the journey, and that pesky book has been appearing and disappearing ever since he returned to England. For Jones writes about the mysterious death of Governor Bradford's wife, and Ezra Bigelow was the last person to see her alive. What a coup it would be locate this priceless account; the financial return alone would be fabulous, never mind that one of the feuding clans would finally have the last laugh on the other.
The historical sections of Cape Cod are well done, and the family stories are engaging, particularly because Martin has done his homework. The 20th century descendants, however, descend into squabbling and bickering about money, money, money. The old and new parts of the saga are presented alternately, and I found myself skipping the new stuff to return to the historical. Martin managed to steer clear of annoying anachonisms, and made it fun to learn about how people learned to survive and then thrive on the arm-shaped spit of land that juts off the eastern side of Massachusetts.
But it seems the Mayflower's captain, Christopher Jones, wrote a journal about the journey, and that pesky book has been appearing and disappearing ever since he returned to England. For Jones writes about the mysterious death of Governor Bradford's wife, and Ezra Bigelow was the last person to see her alive. What a coup it would be locate this priceless account; the financial return alone would be fabulous, never mind that one of the feuding clans would finally have the last laugh on the other.
The historical sections of Cape Cod are well done, and the family stories are engaging, particularly because Martin has done his homework. The 20th century descendants, however, descend into squabbling and bickering about money, money, money. The old and new parts of the saga are presented alternately, and I found myself skipping the new stuff to return to the historical. Martin managed to steer clear of annoying anachonisms, and made it fun to learn about how people learned to survive and then thrive on the arm-shaped spit of land that juts off the eastern side of Massachusetts.
November 19, 2021
I wish more contemporary writers wrote like this.
April 19, 2021
The greatest Cape Cod novel ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2017
I read this book many years ago and was recently reminded of it. Those years have worn away many of the details but I do remember one thing. This book was so good, it led me to read others of his and none of them disappointed. While I haven't read all of his books (yet), I can say that those that I have read, Back Bay, Cape Cod, and Harvard Yard have all been thoroughly enjoyable, and I highly recommend them. I must say though, I have to wonder about the support he gets from his publisher as he's snuck a few books out that I didn't even realize had been published. And I like the guy!
October 23, 2016
All about the settling of Cape Cod. The story follows many generations of two families, the Hilyards and the Bigelows, both of whom are Pilgrim descendants. There's a long-standing feud tied all together with a mysterious missing Mayflower document. Fantastic read by a wonderful author. Martin has the ability to combine historical facts with fascinating fiction.
September 17, 2021
Another standout from one of America’s best storytellers. Martin melds history with fiction like no other.
April 19, 2018
I'm rereading prior to a return to the Cape this summer.Also gifted a copy to my daughter for her first visit.If only all history was so enjoyable to learn!
January 5, 2018
After visiting Cape Cod this summer, I was drawn into the story because of its history. I love the way Mr Martin weaves the story back and forth between the past and the present and how the beginning ties up nicely with the ending in reference to pilot whales. Great storytelling. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
September 23, 2021
William Martin's writing has been compared to the writings of James Michener. Having read several of Michener's works over the years, I thought this would be a good one to read. The result was disappointing. Although Martin put in the research and I learned more about Cape Cod than I knew, I found out that William Martin is no James Michener.
The novel is long, detailed, and covers the time period from before the Mayflower's arrival up to the present. It traces the history of two fictitious families whose ancestors arrived on the Mayflower. Kudos to the author for providing both family trees and maps that greatly aided me in following this narrative. There are mysteries to solve but they sometimes get lost in the personal details of the characters' lives. The novel is cheapened by an unexpected obsession with gratuitous and graphic sexual details as well as excessive profanity. It was unnecessary and served mainly to grab the reader's attention. Also, one of the families followed was from the Puritans on the Mayflower and one was from other passengers on the Mayflower. Of course, the Puritans and their descendants were subtly characterized as villainous and the unbelieving passenger's descendants were shown in a more positive light.
In sum, the book was a great effort by the author and was very readable, but cheapened from what it well could have been. I personally do not recommend this book.
The novel is long, detailed, and covers the time period from before the Mayflower's arrival up to the present. It traces the history of two fictitious families whose ancestors arrived on the Mayflower. Kudos to the author for providing both family trees and maps that greatly aided me in following this narrative. There are mysteries to solve but they sometimes get lost in the personal details of the characters' lives. The novel is cheapened by an unexpected obsession with gratuitous and graphic sexual details as well as excessive profanity. It was unnecessary and served mainly to grab the reader's attention. Also, one of the families followed was from the Puritans on the Mayflower and one was from other passengers on the Mayflower. Of course, the Puritans and their descendants were subtly characterized as villainous and the unbelieving passenger's descendants were shown in a more positive light.
In sum, the book was a great effort by the author and was very readable, but cheapened from what it well could have been. I personally do not recommend this book.
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January 18, 2022I read this long, epic saga while I was researching the history of Cape Cod, and it gave me a bird’s eye view of life on the narrow land starting with the Mayflower pilgrims spanning up until the 1990’s. The book focuses on two main families, who got on each other’s nerves, from when the boat first docked at Provincetown through each successive generation. The stories were filled with grit, courage, resilience, and faith – both lost and found.
I thought it was very very clever how William Martin tied in the lost captain’s log of the Mayflower through each successive time-period as the descendants of this heroic voyage risked life and limb for this valuable piece of history. I really enjoyed Martin’s clever and witty writing style which was very entertaining. It’s books like this that make me think about how we are moved and shaped by those who came before us and how each generation impacts the next.
I thought it was very very clever how William Martin tied in the lost captain’s log of the Mayflower through each successive time-period as the descendants of this heroic voyage risked life and limb for this valuable piece of history. I really enjoyed Martin’s clever and witty writing style which was very entertaining. It’s books like this that make me think about how we are moved and shaped by those who came before us and how each generation impacts the next.
October 18, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I do love historical fiction and Martin is a very easy writer to read...the way he goes back and forth from the past to the books present. I'm descended from the Mayflower, and I like the fact that there were "Saints and Sinners" on the boat. My Pilgrim died the first winter, but his wife and two daughters came on the next boat. His daughter Mary, married a crusty old Sailor...who puts me in mind of the main character of Cape Cod. I also enjoyed this very much because I lived on Cape Cod for many years and the book is factual enough to give you an idea of how the terrain became what it is.
January 11, 2009
I have enjoyed all of William Martin's books, because there is a well-researched historical component that unfolds in parallel with a related current story. It's like unraveling a mystery along with the characters. And the stories are distinct; he's not just writing the same formula over and over. He's one of the authors that I look for in a bookstore, hoping there is something new on the shelf that I haven't read yet.
May 1, 2016
I loved this book, mainly because it was based in and near Eastham, Mass where I spend my vacations, so it was fun "seeing" all of the places as they may have been when the Pilgrims arrived and settled the area. This is a historical novel and it switched between the 1600s, 1700s and 1800s to present time (at the time the book was written, which was in the 1990s). It was also a mystery within a historical novel, so my two favorite genres.
August 13, 2009
Big enough to be Michener...well researcher historical fiction. Interesting plot development where a contemporary story line with roots in the pilgrim days, proceeds as the older story catches up and converges with it. Very effective. It makes a really good beach read, especially with a view of Cape Cod Bay. There can be an an eery sense of place as you read.
July 4, 2009
Reminiscent of the novels of James A. Michener, in style and scope, William Martin's 'Cape Cod' is an excellent, exciting and entertaining read from start to finish; filled with characters you'd love to meet.
Martin immediately joins my list of all time favorite storytellers. Now I'm anxious to read 'Back Bay' and 'Harvard Yard'.
3rd best-read of 2009
Martin immediately joins my list of all time favorite storytellers. Now I'm anxious to read 'Back Bay' and 'Harvard Yard'.
3rd best-read of 2009
May 31, 2013
It is rare that I will read a book more than once. Cape Cod is one of those books. My husband & I both read it & fell in love with it. We knew it would be a yearly read. I find myself studying the genealogy charts very intently so I will KNOW each of the characters. I do the same with the maps. This is definitely one of those books that makes you feel as if you are in that place.
March 28, 2016
Very well written with interesting and historically accurate (I'm assuming) characters and activities covering events and stories of the Mayflower occupants and their descendants from 1620 to 1990. Never really gets boring and the constant switchbacks from the early years to the recent past is well done and keeps the interest level going. Highly recommended.
August 26, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It was engaging and full of an intimate history of Cape Cod for multiple generations. As a new resident on cape cod (a "wash ashore") this gives me insight into the cape codder attitudes as it follows 2 families from the MAyflower to modern times. An interesting thread of passions that span through time.
September 8, 2015
This is a book to be read and reread. Especially while sitting on a Cape Cod beach on a summer's day
December 28, 2015
My copy was so tattered that the cover fell off before I finished - luckily the story is one that will endure a little better than the paperback. I good solid story.
October 10, 2016
I thought it was an awesome book. Very large but very informative.
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February 2, 2022Outstanding!
An excellent book that engages you from the first page. This author has always been a favorite of mine. Must-read book!
An excellent book that engages you from the first page. This author has always been a favorite of mine. Must-read book!
January 23, 2025
Finished this oldie but goodie that I picked up at my library’s sale for $1.00! I’m not sure how I’ve missed this author entirely … too busy raising kids at that point, I guess.
As a historical fiction buff, a U.S. history fan and a senior who fondly remembers my honeymoon in Provincetown, I dove into this novel with enthusiasm. The book is ambitious … cramming three centuries into these pages is quite the undertaking. I enjoyed following the Bigelow and Hilyard family from the arrival of the Mayflower to the late 1980’s, but felt the author more adeptly handled the early years than the later. The last quarter of the book confused me a bit. I found myself referencing the family trees quite often.
Overall, am impressive novel with lots of information to mull over in the days to come. I’m glad I stumbled on it.
As a historical fiction buff, a U.S. history fan and a senior who fondly remembers my honeymoon in Provincetown, I dove into this novel with enthusiasm. The book is ambitious … cramming three centuries into these pages is quite the undertaking. I enjoyed following the Bigelow and Hilyard family from the arrival of the Mayflower to the late 1980’s, but felt the author more adeptly handled the early years than the later. The last quarter of the book confused me a bit. I found myself referencing the family trees quite often.
Overall, am impressive novel with lots of information to mull over in the days to come. I’m glad I stumbled on it.
September 10, 2021
I learned more about Cape Cod than I knew before reading this book but this style of historical fiction is just too long winded and contrived for my taste. I felt there was endless, page filling, back-and-forth dialogue between unlikeable characters and the storyline was typical "Lifetime" movie worthy.
July 30, 2024
3.5 stars A story of several generations of Hilyards vs. Bigelows. Starting with Ezra Bigelow and Jack Hilyard on the Mayflower and a possible murder mystery to present day Geoff Hilyard and his wife Janice Bigelow. It's a battle for Cape Cod land. It's a battle within the family and families.
May 19, 2022
Excellent read. Kept me entertained with every page. Loved the fascinating glimpses back into the history of Cape Cod from Pilgrim days forward.
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October 7, 2017This is the third book by w. Martin that I have read and it was t he most interesting. Livivg not too far from the Cape , this book just caught my imagination and it was so easy to picture the Mayflower coming ashore Lloved the modern couple and their problems. I could see them , in my mind , traveling the roads to get to places. Great book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews