HarperCollins is proud to present its range of best-loved, essential classics. 'Death and honour are thought to be the same, but today I have learned that sometimes they are not.' Set in frontier America in the midst of the French-Indian war, as the French are attempting to overthrow an English fort, Cooper's story follows Alice and Cora Munro, pioneer sisters who are trying to find their way back to their father, an English commander. Guided by an army major and Magua, an Indian from the Huron tribe, they soon meet Hawk-eye, a frontier scout and his Mohican Indian companions Chingachgook and Uncas. Magua is not all that he seems and the sisters are kidnapped. In The Last of the Mohicans, Cooper sets Indian tribe against Indian tribe and lays bare the brutality of the white man against the Mohicans.

Fenimore Cooper's tale of Hawk-eye and his Mohican friends Chingachgook and his son, Uncas, as they help four wayward British travellers navigate the American wilderness amidst the French and Indian War (1754-1763). Danger stalks them at every turn with the native Hurons hunting them, led by their deceitful guide, Magua. Classics Illustrated tells this wonderful tale in colourful comic strip form, offering an excellent introduction for younger readers. This edition also includes a biography of James Fenimore Cooper and study questions, which can be used both in the classroom and at home to further engage the reader in the story.

The action of James Fenimore Cooper's The Prairie (1827) unfolds against the backdrop of the grasslands beyond the Mississippi, just after the Louisiana Purchase, in the early days of western expansion. It features Cooper's most celebrated literary creation, Natty Bumppo, now aged and reduced to making a living by trapping. As the frontiersman's epic journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific nears its end in a vast and still uninhabited region that Cooper consistently imagines as an ocean of the interior, nothing less than the future identity of America is at stake, Domhnall Mitchell suggests in his Introduction. The John Harvard Library edition reproduces the authoritative text of the novel from The Writings of James Fenimore Cooper, published by the State University of New York Press. Since 1959 The John Harvard Library has been instrumental in publishing essential American writings in authoritative editions.

With "The Pioneers" (1823), Cooper initiated his series of elegiac romances of frontier life and introduced the world to Natty Bumppo (or Leather-stocking). Set in 1793 in New York State, the novel depicts an aging Leather-stocking negotiating his way in a restlessly expanding society. In his introduction, Robert Daly argues for the novel s increasing relevance: we live in a similarly complex society as Cooper s frontier world, faced with the same questions about the limits of individualism, the need for voluntary cooperation, and stewardship of the environment.

The John Harvard Library edition reproduces the authoritative text of "The Pioneers" in the "The Writings of James Fenimore Cooper, "published by the State University of New York Press.

Set in 1757 during the French and Indian War, as Britain and France fought for control of North America, "The Last of the Mohicans" is a historical novel and a rousing adventure story. It is also, Wayne Franklin argues in his introduction, a probing examination of the political and cultural contest taking shape more than half a century later in the author's own day as European settlement continued to relentlessly push Native Americans westward. The John Harvard Library edition reproduces the authoritative text of the novel from "The Writings of James Fenimore Cooper," published by the State University of New York Press.

Though The Deerslayer (1841) was the last of Cooper's five Leather-stocking tales to be written, it is the first in the chronology of Natty Bumppo's life. Set in the 1740s before the start of the French and Indian War, when Cooper's rugged frontiersman is in his twenties, Cooper's novel shows us how "Deerslayer" becomes "Hawkeye." It remains the best point of entry into the series for modern readers. In his introduction, Ezra Tawil examines Cooper's motivations in writing The Deerslayer, the static nature of Natty, and Cooper's vexed racial politics. The John Harvard Library edition reproduces the authoritative text of The Deerslayer in The Writings of James Fenimore Cooper (State University of New York Press). Since 1959 The John Harvard Library has been instrumental in publishing essential American writings in authoritative editions.

In 1831, James Fenimore Cooper told his publisher that he wanted to write a story set on Lake Ontario. The book was accepted, but with no hint that it would feature Natty Bumppo from the well-established Leather-Stocking Tales. The Pathfinder" (1840) revisits Natty s military service, extending a story begun in The Last of the Mohicans," and introduces the complications of love against the backdrop of the French and Indian War. Wayne Franklin s introduction describes the personal and financial circumstances that led to Cooper s resurrection of his most popular character, underscoring the author s aim to offer Natty as a Pathfinder for a nation he feared had lost its moral bearings. The John Harvard Library edition reproduces the text of The Pathfinder" from The Writings of James Fenimore Cooper" (State University of New York Press).

Since 1959 The John Harvard Library has been instrumental in publishing essential American writings in authoritative editions."

Introduction and Notes by David Blair. University of Kent at Canterbury. It is 1757. Across north-eastern America the armies of Britain and France struggle for ascendancy. Their conflict, however, overlays older struggles between nations of native Americans for possession of the same lands and between the native peoples and white colonisers. Through these layers of conflict Cooper threads a thrilling narrative, in which Cora and Alice Munro, daughters of a British commander on the front line of the colonial war, attempt to join their father. Thwarted by Magua, the sinister 'Indian runner', they find help in the person of Hawkeye, the white woodsman, and his companions, the Mohican Chingachgook and Uncas, his son, the last of his tribe. Cooper's novel is full of vivid incident- pursuits through wild terrain, skirmishes, treachery and brutality- but reflects also on the interaction between the colonists and the native peoples. Through the character of Hawkeye, Cooper raises lasting questions about the practises of the American frontier and the eclipse of the indigenous cultures.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863 edition. Excerpt: ...frame of the intended schooner was a thing easy enough, with expert American axemen, and with that glorious implement of civilization, the American axe. But it was not quite so e, asy to get the timber down to the cove. The keel; in particular, gave a good deal of trouble. Heaton had brought along with him both cart and wagon wheels, and without that it is questionable if the stick could have been moved by any force then at the command of the colony. By suspending it in chains beneath the axles, however, it was found possible to draw it, though several of the women had to lend their aid in moving the mass. When ai the head of the Stairs, the timber was lowered on the rock, and was slid downwards, with occasional lifts by the crowbar and handspike. When it reached the water it was found to be.much too heavy to float, and it was by no means an easy matter to buoy it up in such a way that it might be towed. The Anne was three times as long making her passage with this keel in tow, as she was without it. It was done, however, and the laying of the keel was effected with some little ceremony, in the presence of nearly every soul belonging to the colony. The getting out and raising of the frame of the 'Friend Abraham White' took six weeks. Great importance was attached to success in this matter, and everybody assisted in the work with right good will. At one time it was doubted if stuff enough could be found in the ship to plank her up with, and it was thought it might become necessary to break up the Rancocus, in order to complete the job. To Bridget's great joy, however, the good old Rancocus---so they called her, though she was even then only eight years old--the good old Rancocus' time had not yet come, and she was able to live in her cabin for some...

Cooper's most enduringly popular novel combines heroism and romance with powerful criticism of the destruction of nature and tradition.

Set against the French and Indian siege of Fort William Henry in 1757, The Last of the Mohicans recounts the story of two sisters, Cora and Alice Munro, daughters of the English commander, who are struggling to be reunited with their father. They are aided in their perilous journey by Hawk-eye, a frontier scout and his companions Chingachgook and Uncas, the only two survivors of the Mohican tribe. But their lives are endangered by the Mangua, the savage Indian traitor who captures the sisters, wanting Cora to be his squaw.

In setting Indian against Indian and the brutal society of the white man against the civilization of the Mohican, Cooper, more than any author before or since, shaped the American sense of itself as a nation.

A gorgeously crafted edition of a great American classic--James Fenimore Cooper's epic tale of frontier life during the French and Indian War, complete with lush tip-in illustrations.
Chingachgook and Uncas are the last living members of the great Mohican tribe. Hawkeye, a colonial scout, is their companion and loyal friend. In the midst of the French and Indian War, these three will risk everything to lead the two daughters of a British colonel to safety through the battle-torn northern wilderness. When the girls are captured by the vicious Huron tribe, Chingachgook, Uncas, and Hawkeye determine to do whatever they can to save them--no matter the cost.
This keepsake edition of James Fenimore Cooper's acclaimed novel showcases magnificent illustrations by N.C. Wyeth.

Natty Bumppo is a bold young man raised by Native Americans. Nicknamed "Deerslayer" for his courageous attitude that sets him apart from his peers, Natty is adventurous and kind. As a firm believer that all living beings should respect the gifts of nature, Natty despises violence. However, as he comes of age and experiences the antagonistic relationship between Native Americans and white settlers, violence is difficult to avoid. With the help of his best friend, Chingachgook, Natty struggles to confront two white men at the center of the violence. Henry March, a man nearly opposite of Natty in terms of morals and upbringing, collaborates with former pirate "Floating Tom" Hutter to achieve their racist agenda and claim land previously occupied by indigenous people. Intending to scalp and kill as many Native Americans as they can, Hutter and March attack a Native American village, setting a cruel precedent. This attack spurs retribution and a string of kidnappings, ransoms, and rescue missions-all of which Natty finds himself in the middle of. Meanwhile, Natty and Chingachgook meet Tom Hutter's daughters, Judith and Hetty, who also find themselves stuck in the bloodthirsty environment the elder generation is brewing. Judith is enamored by Natty and attempts to nurture a romance between the two of them. Now, facing tragic deaths, unnecessary violence, and the trials of love, Natty must come of age as he attempts to survive and stop the brutality. With intricate prose and high adventure, The Deerslayer introduces the pioneer New York setting and protagonists of James Fenimore Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales series. The Deerslayer depicts the violence that the Europeans inflicted upon Native Americans with a unique perspective, noting the differences between the two races while also hailing the similarities, encouraging unity. Though written much later than the rest of the novels in the series, The Deerslayer prequels the rest, and is chronologically first in the narrative of James Fenimore Cooper's famous series. Blending action and romance genres, The Deerslayer remains exciting to a modern audience while depicting the struggle of early American life. This edition of James Fenimore Cooper's The Deerslayer features a new, eye-catching cover design and is printed in a modern font. With these accommodations, contemporary readers can experience the exceptional and complex origin story of the courageous protagonist of the Leatherstocking Tales.

The story takes place on the rapidly advancing frontier of New York State and features an elderly Leatherstocking, Judge Marmaduke Temple of Templeton, whose life parallels that of the author's father Judge William Cooper, and Elizabeth Temple of the fictional Templeton, New York.