John Berryman wrote a critique of Bradstreet's book "The Author of His Own Book" and did not hide the details of his revulsion towards her work. His revulsion was based solely on her “weakness” and “feminine” ways. He believes she was a “boring, high-minded Puritan woman who may have been our first American poet but wasn't good” (Berryman 12). The critical synopsis was based on her feminine weaknesses and insecurities rather than actual analysis of her writings. Berryman believed that he did not want "The Author of His Own Book" to be published because he knew he did not match society's expectations. "Until they took you away from friends, less wise than true, who abroad, exposed to public view, reduced you to rags, stopping before the press to plod, where mistakes had not been taught (all can judge)" (Bradstreet