Books by Washington Irving

Book SynopsisIn The Sketch-Book Washington Irving explores the uneasy relationship of an American writer to English literary traditions. He sketches a series of encounters with the cultural shrines of the parent nation, and in two brilliant experiments with tales transplanted from Europe creates the first classic American short stories, `Rip Van Winkle' and `The Legend of the Sleepy Hollow'.

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Book SynopsisCaptivating tales from America's first popular author transport readers back to the Dutch communities of the Hudson Valley: "Rip Van Winkle," "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," "The Spectre Bridegroom," and "Mountjoy."

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Book SynopsisThe Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories features the timeless short stories of Washington Irving, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle,” and others.

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Book SynopsisRip Van Winkle walks into the mountains one day and meets some strange old men. He comes home twenty years later. One dark night, Ichabod Crane is riding home and sees a man on a black horse behind him. The man has no head. Are there ghosts in these stories? What do you think?

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Book SynopsisClassic stories retold in exciting graphic novel format. Each title includes high-quality artwork, simple text, discussion questions, and writing prompts.Trade ReviewWhen the new school master, Ichabod Crane, arrives in Sleepy Hollow, he visits some of the local families for his evening meals. During these visits he hears the legend of Sleepy Hollow and the Headless Horseman. Not only the school teacher, but also the singing teacher, Crane has amongst his singing students the beautiful Katrina, a young lady whom he chooses to teach privately. The unattractive Crane has as his rival for her affections a strapping young man named Brom. Unbeknownst to many locals, the handsome Brom plays practical jokes on Ichabod. Is he responsible for the demise of Ichabod Crane? Will the truth ever be revealed? With cartoons taking several forms, from colourful stylised pictures to depict the current day, sepia for the historic components of the story and silhouette style for the night time and more gruesome parts of the tale, the illustrations add an extra dimension to the text. Minimal word count, simple language and different fonts for speech and descriptive text make this another accessible tale for not just those who enjoy classic tales but also for the reluctant reader. http://www.readplus.co.uk/blog_detail.php?id=1922 * ReadPlus blog *

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Book Synopsis Separated into four parts, Tales of a Traveller features twenty-seven works of short fiction, all catering to a sense of adventure and interest in the macabre. The first part, titled Strange Stories by a Nervous Gentleman explores the odd escapades of its protagonists. In The Adventure of a German Student, a young man meets a strange woman on a stormy night, looking for shelter. The student allows the woman to stay in his apartment for the night, but the morning brings consequences that he never could have imagined. The second part of the collection is titled Buckthrone and his Friends and features anecdotes from the life of a man named Buckthrone while exploring the struggles and experiences of artists. In The Club of Queer Fellows, Buckthrone introduces the narrator to a lesser-known bar that acts as a hangout spot for interesting and offbeat people, such as actors and literary critics. Titled The Italian Banditti, part three of Tales of a Traveller, follows a string of robberies and unlikely heroes. As the fourth and final part of the collection, The Money Diggers features exciting tales of pirates and curses. Based on the real historical figure, Captain William Kidd, Kidd the Pirate depicts a young man who is hired to stop the pirates, but becomes one instead. Also included in the final part of Tales of a Traveller is the famed short story The Devil and Tom Walker. After a mysterious figure called Old Scratch offers to reveal the riches of Captain Kidd in exchange for a great price, Tom Walker is faced with a tricky decision. With tales of underdogs, mystery, horror, and adventure, Tales of the Traveller by Washington Irving guarantees delight. Set in America, Germany, and Paris, Tales of the Traveller is inclusive in setting and genre, displaying some of Washington Irving’s best work. Featuring twenty-seven works of short fiction, and redesigned with a striking new cover and stylish font, this edition of Washington Irving’s Tales of a Traveller is accessible and perfect for a contemporary audience.

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Book SynopsisTold from the perspective of a cantankerous man named Deidrick Knickerbocker, A Knickerbocker’s History of New York depicts a satirical history spanning from the world’s creation to the end of the Dutch dynasty. Beginning with the start of time itself, Knickerbocker reveals historical anecdotes, both real and imagined featuring social commentary, fresh perspectives on the past, and conversations with powerful historical figures. With humor and intrigue, A Knickerbocker’s History of New York tells the tale of the discovery of New York, and explores the first Dutch settlements. While examining those origins, Knickerbocker muses about the ethics of colonization and the immoral treatment of Native Americans, with biting and brutal honesty. Still under the Dutch “rule”, 1600 New York acted as one of the breeding grounds for many American Christmas traditions, some of which are still alive today. Under a comical microscope, A Knickerbocker’s History of New York explores the effect the early Dutch settlements have on American culture, particularly in New York. Originally published in 1809, Washington Irving’s A Knickerbocker’s History of New York earned acclaim for its innovative genre as one of the first American comedic works. With the mix of specific, inside jokes and universal humor, Irving’s satire invites laughter from both his original audience and contemporary readers. With prose and wit that has remained fresh and hilarious even two-hundred and eleven years later, Washington Irving’s A Knickerbocker’s History of New York contains a narrative that has earned centuries of influence. While playfully mocking both classic literature and historians, Irving was bold enough to even include a list of people, professions and properties that he intended to make fun of. Though Irving mixes fact with fiction, A Knickerbocker’s History of New York provides useful insight on the history of Dutch Americans, as well as contributing thoughtful social commentary that finds itself still applicable to modern society. Now featuring a stunning new cover design and a modern font, this edition of Washington Irving’s A Knickerbocker’s History of New York is both accessible and entertaining.

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Book SynopsisBracebridge Hall, written by the esteemed author, Washington Irving, is a collection of location-based character sketches, detailing the lives and personalities of the occupants of a countryside manor in Yorkshire, England, owned by a squire. Narrated by an American man who is an old acquaintance of the squire, Bracebridge Hall follows the events leading up to the wedding of the squire’s son, Guy, and his bride-to-be, Julia. Beginning with the arrival of the guests, the narrative jumps from character to character to tell their individual stories and relations to the wedding. Alongside the narratives of the wedding guests, a vivid picture of the historic Bracebridge manor is painted with careful attention to detail. The décor and architecture of the home pays homage to a time long before its own, which is even reflected in the people who serve in the estate. Many of the servants were born in the manor and inherited their parents’ job and uniform. As the wedding preparations continue, readers are allowed a privileged listen to the servant’s gossip, including the story of the rumored love affair between the squire and the eldest, most respected servant. After the gossip and conjecture of the servants completes a portrait of the manor’s history, the ceremony proceeds, honoring English tradition and proving to be an idealistic and envious affair of indulgence. With humor and sweetness, Washington Irving explores the personalities and side plots of a diverse group of characters. Including people of all classes, Bracebridge Hall portrays an idealized picture of country life in early 19th century England. The episodic form and intricate prose of Washington Irving creates an enchanting and entertaining reading experience for audiences nearly two centuries later, serving as a testament to Irving’s bold and voluptuous characterization of both the setting and characters. This edition of Washington Irving’s Bracebridge Hall is redesigned with the contemporary reader in mind. With a new, eye-catching cover design and a stylish font, Bracebridge Hall is both readable and modern.

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Book SynopsisIn this collection of thirty-four essays and short stories, Washington Irving explores the personality of his pseudonym, Geoffrey Crayon, while providing a study on human behavior. Rip Van Winkle introduces the famed literacy title character, an unmotivated, care-free man who drinks and parties with strangers in the mountains, falls asleep, and wakes up twenty years later in post-revolution America. Also among this collection are tales of sentiment, such as The Broken Heart, which follows a young woman who grieves the death of her lover. Often described as a tear-jerking narrative, The Widow and Her Son depicts an old Englishwoman as she cares for her dying son after his return from his military service at sea. Switching moods, A Sunday in London provides a vivid portrait of a day in London, focusing on the ways the Church influenced the day’s events. In a similar observant lens, The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon includes a five-part narrative on Christmas celebrations, starting with a refection on the holiday and concluding with a description of Christmas dinner. Finally, the collection ends with the famous and beloved tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horsemen in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Featuring ghost stories, anthropological essays, and emotional narratives, <1> The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon includes the best works of Washington Irving. Originally published as a serial publication starting 1819, The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon was released in seven highly anticipated installments. With sentiment, elegance, and beautiful prose that excites the imagination, Irving sought to eliminate the animosity between English and American literature with this collection of work. The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon impressed both Americans and the British, capturing the attention of many other influential writers such as Sir Walter Scott and Lord Byron. With classic stories, characters, and a privileged look into historical events and traditions, Washington Irving’s The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon continues to excite and satiate readers, even two-hundred years later. This edition of Washington Irving’s The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon features an eye-catching cover design and is printed in a stylish font, creating an approachable reading experience for a modern audience.

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Book SynopsisCompiled during a three-month stay in Granada, Spain, Tales of the Alhambra assembles descriptions, myths, and narratives of historical events. After completing a literary project in Madrid, author Washington Irving traveled to Granada, Spain. Immediately taken by its beauty and extravagance, Irving requested a travel guide and began filling notebooks and journals with his observations and description of the magnificent setting. Beginning with an expedition through the Andalusian mountains on horseback, cherishing the grandeur of the nature, Irving took his time to enjoy and observe the landscape and culture of the country. After their horseback ride through the mountains, Irving and his guide stopped at an inn for a drink. During their stay, Irving witnessed artistic culture through music and dance, noting how the locals seemed to celebrate every-day occurrences, creating a happy environment. Upon entering the city, Irving requested permission from the governor to stay at the Alhambra palace. Originally built on the ruins of Roman buildings, the Alhambra was a small fortress built in 889 CE, and had been largely ignored and forgotten by the time Irving arrived in Granada. While staying in the Alhambra, Irving explored the abandoned palace and recollected the myths set within its walls, recording every detail of its architecture, story, and mystery. The Alhambra palace had been mostly forgotten, and left unmaintained until Washington Irving’s narrative and recollections revived interest. Upon its original publication in 1832, Washington Irving’s Tales of the Alhambra piqued the curiosity of readers who were completely engrossed in Irving’s description of the previously abandoned fortress. With delicate prose and intricate detail, Tales of the Alhambra appeal to readers’ sense of adventure, and allows its audience to explore the wonders of Granada, Spain alongside Washington Irving. This edition of Washington Irving’s Tales of the Alhambra features a new, eye-catching cover design and is printed in a font that is both modern and readable, inviting contemporary audiences to divulge in the grandeur and beauty of a medieval fortress.

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Book Synopsis When Ichabod Crane, an awkward and superstitious schoolteacher, moves to the town of Sleepy Hollow for work, he at first earns attention only from the housewives, who are amused by his large appetite and tall, lanky body. But once Ichabod decides to try for the attention of Katrina Van Tressel, the town’s most eligible bachelorette and only child of a wealthy farmer, he finds himself in competition with the most popular man in town. Abraham Van Brunt, better known as Brom Bones, is a rowdy local hero who already had intentions to marry Katrina. Usually able to settle disputes with a physical display of brute force, Bones is stumped when he is unable to goad Ichabod into a fight. Since Ichabod is mostly clueless to social cues and customs, Bones resorts to a series of pranks in order to deliver retribution. When the final chance to win Katrina’s hand in marriage arrives at a local party, Ichabod must overcome the pranks and trials to defeat Bones and win Katrina’s love. Originally published in a collection of Irving Washington’s short stories, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a gothic tale that caters to a need for adventure, spookiness, and humor. Since it’s publication two hundred years ago, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has inspired many film, television, and literary adaptations. With memorable characters and a vivid setting, Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has remained a classic and popular contribution to American literature. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving is now presented in an easy-to-read and modern font with a unique cover design, making it more appealing than ever to explore Ichabod Crane’s adventures and the mysteries of Sleepy Hollow.

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Book SynopsisRip Van Winkle is an easy-going Dutch American settler living in New York. Though he is happy to help his friends, Rip Van Winkle is unmotivated to complete the much-needed repairs or chores for his family’s farm. Worried about their financial well-being, Dame Von Winkle, Rip’s wife, often scolds him and tells him to work. One day, still uninterested in doing these jobs, Rip Van Winkle decides he needs a break from his wife. Accompanied by his dog, Rip begins to walk into the Catskill mountains, only to find a group of strange men with long beards and dressed in fancy, antique Dutch clothing. As they play games and drink liquor, Rip Van Winkle enjoys the merriment, helping himself to some drink. After deciding to take a nap, Rip settles against a tree with his dog and go to sleep. He had only intended on taking a break for one day, but when Rip Van Winkle wakes from his nap, his whole world has changed. After a twenty-year sleep, Rip goes down to his hometown, only to find that he doesn’t recognize anyone. As Rip searches the village for a familiar face, he finds that everything has changed—his family, his neighborhood, and even his country. Originally published in 1819, Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving is a unique and imaginative perspective on the American Revolution. Separated by Rip Van Winkle’s nap, Irving depicts both a pre and post revolution America, creating a stark distinction. Rip Van Winkle is a classic beloved tale, having been adapted for many media forms, such as television, film, animation, theater, and even music. With descriptive prose and memorable characters, Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle approaches themes of change, accompanied by symbolism and satire. This edition of Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle preserves the original story of the well-known character while restoring it to modern standards. With a stylish font and an eye-catching cover design, this edition of Rip Van Winkle is perfect for a contemporary audience.

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Book SynopsisTold from the perspective of a cantankerous man named Deidrick Knickerbocker, A Knickerbocker’s History of New York depicts a satirical history spanning from the world’s creation to the end of the Dutch dynasty. Beginning with the start of time itself, Knickerbocker reveals historical anecdotes, both real and imagined featuring social commentary, fresh perspectives on the past, and conversations with powerful historical figures. With humor and intrigue, A Knickerbocker’s History of New York tells the tale of the discovery of New York, and explores the first Dutch settlements. While examining those origins, Knickerbocker muses about the ethics of colonization and the immoral treatment of Native Americans, with biting and brutal honesty. Still under the Dutch “rule”, 1600 New York acted as one of the breeding grounds for many American Christmas traditions, some of which are still alive today. Under a comical microscope, A Knickerbocker’s History of New York explores the effect the early Dutch settlements have on American culture, particularly in New York. Originally published in 1809, Washington Irving’s A Knickerbocker’s History of New York earned acclaim for its innovative genre as one of the first American comedic works. With the mix of specific, inside jokes and universal humor, Irving’s satire invites laughter from both his original audience and contemporary readers. With prose and wit that has remained fresh and hilarious even two-hundred and eleven years later, Washington Irving’s A Knickerbocker’s History of New York contains a narrative that has earned centuries of influence. While playfully mocking both classic literature and historians, Irving was bold enough to even include a list of people, professions and properties that he intended to make fun of. Though Irving mixes fact with fiction, A Knickerbocker’s History of New York provides useful insight on the history of Dutch Americans, as well as contributing thoughtful social commentary that finds itself still applicable to modern society. Now featuring a stunning new cover design and a modern font, this edition of Washington Irving’s A Knickerbocker’s History of New York is both accessible and entertaining.

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Book Synopsis Separated into four parts, Tales of a Traveller features twenty-seven works of short fiction, all catering to a sense of adventure and interest in the macabre. The first part, titled Strange Stories by a Nervous Gentleman explores the odd escapades of its protagonists. In The Adventure of a German Student, a young man meets a strange woman on a stormy night, looking for shelter. The student allows the woman to stay in his apartment for the night, but the morning brings consequences that he never could have imagined. The second part of the collection is titled Buckthrone and his Friends and features anecdotes from the life of a man named Buckthrone while exploring the struggles and experiences of artists. In The Club of Queer Fellows, Buckthrone introduces the narrator to a lesser-known bar that acts as a hangout spot for interesting and offbeat people, such as actors and literary critics. Titled The Italian Banditti, part three of Tales of a Traveller, follows a string of robberies and unlikely heroes. As the fourth and final part of the collection, The Money Diggers features exciting tales of pirates and curses. Based on the real historical figure, Captain William Kidd, Kidd the Pirate depicts a young man who is hired to stop the pirates, but becomes one instead. Also included in the final part of Tales of a Traveller is the famed short story The Devil and Tom Walker. After a mysterious figure called Old Scratch offers to reveal the riches of Captain Kidd in exchange for a great price, Tom Walker is faced with a tricky decision. With tales of underdogs, mystery, horror, and adventure, Tales of the Traveller by Washington Irving guarantees delight. Set in America, Germany, and Paris, Tales of the Traveller is inclusive in setting and genre, displaying some of Washington Irving’s best work. Featuring twenty-seven works of short fiction, and redesigned with a striking new cover and stylish font, this edition of Washington Irving’s Tales of a Traveller is accessible and perfect for a contemporary audience.

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Book SynopsisIn this collection of thirty-four essays and short stories, Washington Irving explores the personality of his pseudonym, Geoffrey Crayon, while providing a study on human behavior. Rip Van Winkle introduces the famed literacy title character, an unmotivated, care-free man who drinks and parties with strangers in the mountains, falls asleep, and wakes up twenty years later in post-revolution America. Also among this collection are tales of sentiment, such as The Broken Heart, which follows a young woman who grieves the death of her lover. Often described as a tear-jerking narrative, The Widow and Her Son depicts an old Englishwoman as she cares for her dying son after his return from his military service at sea. Switching moods, A Sunday in London provides a vivid portrait of a day in London, focusing on the ways the Church influenced the day’s events. In a similar observant lens, The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon includes a five-part narrative on Christmas celebrations, starting with a refection on the holiday and concluding with a description of Christmas dinner. Finally, the collection ends with the famous and beloved tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horsemen in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Featuring ghost stories, anthropological essays, and emotional narratives, <1> The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon includes the best works of Washington Irving. Originally published as a serial publication starting 1819, The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon was released in seven highly anticipated installments. With sentiment, elegance, and beautiful prose that excites the imagination, Irving sought to eliminate the animosity between English and American literature with this collection of work. The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon impressed both Americans and the British, capturing the attention of many other influential writers such as Sir Walter Scott and Lord Byron. With classic stories, characters, and a privileged look into historical events and traditions, Washington Irving’s The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon continues to excite and satiate readers, even two-hundred years later. This edition of Washington Irving’s The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon features an eye-catching cover design and is printed in a stylish font, creating an approachable reading experience for a modern audience.

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Book SynopsisWith earnest sentimentality, Old Christmas by the prolific author Washington Irving spreads a simple message of joy as it provides a descriptive narrative on the traditions, origins, and miscellaneous details of the celebration of an English Christmas. Separated into five parts, Old Christmas begins with Christmas, a reflection on the holiday’s origins and meaning. Next, The Stage-Coach follows the speaker, Geoffrey Crayon, as he travels with children to Bracebridge Hall, a country estate, to celebrate the holiday. Christmas Eve details the events after his arrival to the manor, and begins the description of holiday traditions, including the old practices that Crayon preferred as well as the new traditions younger generations had adopted. Continuing to describe and compare the Christmas customs, Christmas Day examines and explores the celebration of the actual holiday, taking advantage of the preparations made nearly a month in advance. Finally, Old Christmas finishes with the decadent feast of Christmas day, including specifics on what they ate and how it was prepared. With a complete description of an English celebration of the beloved holiday, Old Christmas creates a lively and intimate portrait of a 19th century Christmas. Published in 1876, Washington Irving’s Old Christmas has become a tradition itself, as it treats audiences with a serene and cozy reading experience perfect for the holidays. While comparing Christmas traditions both new and old, and mapping how they’ve changed over time, Irving reveals treasured details of a 19th Century Christmas celebration, and inadvertently invites modern audiences to compare their customs to those portrayed so fondly in Old Christmas. This edition of Washington Irving’s Old Christmas features a striking new cover design and is reprinted in an easy-to-read font, restoring the classic literary work to modern standards while holding respect for the original. With these accommodations Old Christmas is the perfect companion for contemporary readers during the holiday season.

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Book SynopsisBracebridge Hall, written by the esteemed author, Washington Irving, is a collection of location-based character sketches, detailing the lives and personalities of the occupants of a countryside manor in Yorkshire, England, owned by a squire. Narrated by an American man who is an old acquaintance of the squire, Bracebridge Hall follows the events leading up to the wedding of the squire’s son, Guy, and his bride-to-be, Julia. Beginning with the arrival of the guests, the narrative jumps from character to character to tell their individual stories and relations to the wedding. Alongside the narratives of the wedding guests, a vivid picture of the historic Bracebridge manor is painted with careful attention to detail. The décor and architecture of the home pays homage to a time long before its own, which is even reflected in the people who serve in the estate. Many of the servants were born in the manor and inherited their parents’ job and uniform. As the wedding preparations continue, readers are allowed a privileged listen to the servant’s gossip, including the story of the rumored love affair between the squire and the eldest, most respected servant. After the gossip and conjecture of the servants completes a portrait of the manor’s history, the ceremony proceeds, honoring English tradition and proving to be an idealistic and envious affair of indulgence. With humor and sweetness, Washington Irving explores the personalities and side plots of a diverse group of characters. Including people of all classes, Bracebridge Hall portrays an idealized picture of country life in early 19th century England. The episodic form and intricate prose of Washington Irving creates an enchanting and entertaining reading experience for audiences nearly two centuries later, serving as a testament to Irving’s bold and voluptuous characterization of both the setting and characters. This edition of Washington Irving’s Bracebridge Hall is redesigned with the contemporary reader in mind. With a new, eye-catching cover design and a stylish font, Bracebridge Hall is both readable and modern.

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