Washington Irving

We were ushered into this banqueting scene with the sound of minstrelsy, the old harper being seated on a stool beside the fireplace and twanging his instrument with a vast deal more power than melody. Never did Christmas board display a more goodly and gracious assemblage of countenances. First published in 1820 in Irving's masterpiece, The Sketch Book, The Christmas Dinner is a charming tale by the great American writer behind such timeless classics as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle. Painting the scene of a Christmas dinner spent at the table of Bracebridge Hall, a countryside manor, the merry songs and stories of the dinner table echo with jollity of Christmases long past. 25% of the RRP of this title goes to Three Peas, a small charity supporting people who have had to flee war or persecution and who are seeking refuge or asylum in Europe.

Bracebridge 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.

Told 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.

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.

The book, The Adventures of Captain Bonneville, U. S. A., in the Rocky Mountains and the Far West, has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.

This book was so instrumental in reintroducing western audiences to The Alhambra that a plaque now marks the rooms in which Irving stayed while working on some of the book. Originally visiting Granada as research for another book, Washington Irving immediately fell in love with "a most picturesque and beautiful city, situated in one of the loveliest landscapes that I have ever seen." Thanks to his celebrity status his request to access the palace was granted and inspired him to write Tales of the Alhambra. Combining description, myth, and the stories of real historical events, Irving paints pictures of this incredible place. This edition is based on the author's own revised edition and is complete and unabridged with all of the drawings and page illustrations of the original edition.

This book was so instrumental in reintroducing western audiences to The Alhambra that a plaque now marks the rooms in which Irving stayed while working on some of the book. Originally visiting Granada as research for another book, Washington Irving immediately fell in love with "a most picturesque and beautiful city, situated in one of the loveliest landscapes that I have ever seen." Thanks to his celebrity status his request to access the palace was granted and inspired him to write Tales of the Alhambra. Combining description, myth, and the stories of real historical events, Irving paints pictures of this incredible place. This edition is based on the author's own revised edition and is complete and unabridged with all of the drawings and page illustrations of the original edition.

This book has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.

Washington Irving: Jonathan Oldstyles Briefe. Das literarische Erstlingswerk von Washington Irving Letters of Jonathan Oldstyle, Gent, erschienen zwischen dem 15. November 1802 und dem 23. April 1803 in der New Yorker Tageszeitung Morning Chronicle. Unautorisierter Nachdruck im Pamphletformat: New York, 1824. Hier in der bersetzung von Samuel Heinrich Spiker, Berlin, Duncker und Humblot, 1824 mit dem Untertitel Erste und bislang einzige deutsche bersetzung von Washington Irvings Jugendwerk. Neuausgabe. Herausgegeben von Karl-Maria Guth. Berlin 2021. Der Text dieser Ausgabe wurde behutsam an die neue deutsche Rechtschreibung angepasst. Umschlaggestaltung von Thomas Schultz-Overhage. Gesetzt aus der Minion Pro, 11 pt. Henricus - Edition Deutsche Klassik GmbH

In 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, 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.

In 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, 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.

Compiled 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.

With 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.

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.

Told 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.

Bracebridge 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.

Compiled 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.

Rip 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.