Washington Irving

Classic Books Library presents this brand new edition of Washington Irving's Gothic tale, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Originally published in 1820 as part of the collection, "The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon," it tells the story of Ichabod Crane who visits the town of Sleepy Hollow, which is plagued by the ghost of a headless horseman. Acknowledged as one of the most iconic and gripping horror tales in American literature, it contributed to Irving's reputation for dramatic flair and wit. Washington Irving (1783-1859) was an American author, historian and diplomat. Although settling in New York, Irving studied in Europe where he developed his literary interests and later became one of the first American writers to earn influential and critical acclaim in Europe.

The chief part of the stories, however, turned upon the favorite specter of Sleepy Hollow, the Headless Horseman, who had been heard several times of late, patrolling the country; and, it was said, tethered his horse nightly among the graves in the churchyard. The story was immediately matched by a thrice marvelous adventure of Brom Bones, who made light of the Galloping Hessian as an arrant jockey. He affirmed that on returning one night from the neighboring village of Sing Sing, he had been overtaken by this midnight trooper; that he had offered to race with him for a bowl of punch, and should have won it too, for Daredevil beat the goblin horse all hollow, but just as they came to the church bridge, the Hessian bolted, and vanished in a flash of fire.

KNICKERBOCKER'S HISTORY OF NEW YORK is the book, published in December, 1809, with which Washington Irving, at the age of twenty-six, first won wide credit and influence. Walter Scott wrote to an American friend, who sent him the second edition-- "I beg you to accept my best thanks for the uncommon degree of entertainment which I have received from the most excellently jocose History of New York. I am sensible that, as a stranger to American parties and politics, I must lose much of the concealed satire of the piece, but I must own that, looking at the simple and obvious meaning only, I have never read anything so closely resembling the style of Dean Swift as the annals of Diedrich Knickerbocker. I have been employed these few evenings in reading them aloud to Mrs. S. and two ladies who are our guests, and our sides have been absolutely sore with laughing. I think, too, there are passages which indicate that the author possesses powers of a different kind, and has some touches which remind me much of Sterne."

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is a horror story by American author Washington Irving, contained in his collection of 34 essays and short stories entitled The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.. Written while Irving was living abroad in Birmingham, England, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" was first published in 1820. Along with Irving's companion piece "Rip Van Winkle", "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is among the earliest examples of American fiction with enduring popularity, especially during Halloween because of a character known as the Headless Horseman believed to be a Hessian soldier who lost his head to a cannonball in battle.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is a horror story by American author Washington Irving. The story is set in 1790 in the countryside around the Dutch settlement of Tarry Town (historical Tarrytown, New York), in a secluded glen called Sleepy Hollow. Sleepy Hollow is renowned for its ghosts and the haunting atmosphere that pervades the imaginations of its inhabitants and visitors. Some residents say this town was bewitched during the early days of the Dutch settlement. Other residents say an old Native American chief, the wizard of his tribe, held his powwows here before the country was discovered by Master Hendrick Hudson. The most infamous spectre in the Hollow is the Headless Horseman, said to be the ghost of a Hessian trooper that had his head shot off by a stray cannonball during "some nameless battle" of the American Revolutionary War, and who "rides forth to the scene of battle in nightly quest of his head".

Rare edition with unique illustrations and elegant classic cream paper. GIchabod Crane, a schoolteacher, came to Tarry Town in the glen of Sleepy Hollow to ply his trade in educating young minds. He was a gullible and excitable fellow, often so terrified by locals' stories of ghosts that he would hurry through the woods on his way home, singing to keep from hysterics. Until late one night, he finds that maybe they're not just stories. What is that dark, menacing figure riding behind him on a horse? And what does it have in its hands? And why wasn't schoolteacher Crane ever seen in Sleepy Hollow again? Includes unique illustrations.

The Alhambra: Tales of the Alhambra is a collection of essays, verbal sketches, and stories by Washington Irving. The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain. ROUGH draughts of some of the following tales and essays were actually written during a residence in the Alhambra; others were subsequently added, founded on notes and observations made there. Care was taken to maintain local coloring and verisimilitude; so that the whole might present a faithful and living picture of that microcosm, that singular little world into which I had been fortuitously thrown; and about which the external world had a very imperfect idea. It was my endeavor scrupulously to depict its half Spanish, half Oriental character; its mixture of the heroic, the poetic, and the grotesque; to revive the traces of grace and beauty fast fading from its walls; to record the regal and chivalrous traditions concerning those who once trod its courts; and the whimsical and superstitious legends of the motley race now burrowing among its ruins.

Reproduction of the original: Bracebridge Hall by Washington Irving

Reproduction of the original: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

Reproduction of the original: The Adventures of Captain Bonneville by Washington Irving

Reproduction of the original: Old Christmas by Washington Irving

Reproduction of the original: Tales of a Traveller by Washington Irving

Reproduction of the original: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

Reproduction of the original: Astoria by Washington Irving

Reproduction of the original: Bracebridge Hall by Washington Irving

Reproduction of the original: The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus by Washington Irving

Reproduction of the original: The Alhambra by Washington Irving