You might know Sarah Vowell as a contributor to the radio program "This American Life" ... or as the squeaky-voiced Violet in the cartoon movie The Incredibles.

She's a witty and talented writer, and in her new book "The Wordy Shipmates" she writes about the Puritans who sailed to America in the 17th century, arguing in part that history has been unfairly unkind to them. The book was inspired, in part, by a Thanksgiving episode of the 1970s sitcom "Happy Days." As you might guess, this isn't your typical view of historical events...

Find out more about Sarah Vowell and her new book in this interview with the Wall Street Journal.