HarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics. 'There was a contagion in the very air that blew from that haunted region; it breathed forth an atmosphere of dreams and fancies infecting all the land.' Featuring 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' and 'Rip Van Winkle', this collection of inspired essays, stories and sketches established Washington Irving's reputation as one of America's foremost authors. Irving's timeless characters, including Ichabod Crane, Rip Van Winkle and the headless Hessian trooper, jostle for space alongside 31 equally atmospheric and lyrical works in this haunting anthology from one of America's most distinctive literary voices.

'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. (Part of Renard's Christmas Card Classics series, 25% of the RRP of each book sold goes to Three Peas, a small refugee charity. This year, instead of a Christmas card, why not send a book?)

The story is set circa 1790 in the Dutch settlement of Tarry Town, New York, in a secluded glen called Sleepy Hollow. It tells the story of Ichabod Crane, a lean, lanky, and extremely superstitious schoolmaster from Connecticut, who competes with Abraham "Brom Bones" Van Brunt, the town rowdy, for the hand of 18-year-old Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter and sole child of a wealthy farmer. As Crane leaves a party he attended at the Van Tassel home on an autumn night, he is pursued by the Headless Horseman. He is believed to be the ghost of a Hessian trooper who had his head shot off by a stray cannonball during the American Revolutionary War and nightly he rides forth to the scene of battle in quest of his head. That night Ichabod mysteriously disappears. What will Katrina do, and what does Brom Bones know?

A headless horseman haunts Sleepy Hollow At least that s the legend in the tiny village of Tarrytown. But scary stories won t stop the town s new schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane, from crossing the hollow, especially when the beautiful Katrina lives on the other side. These reader-favorite tiles are now updated for enhanced Common Core State Standards support, including discussion and writing prompts developed by a Common Core expert, an expanded introduction, bolded glossary words and dynamic new covers."

Tor Classics are affordably-priced editions designed to attract the young reader. Original dynamic cover art enthusiastically represents the excitement of each story. Appropriate "reader friendly" type sizes have been chosen for each title--offering clear, accurate, and readable text. All editions are complete and unabridged, and feature Introductions and Afterwords.

This edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow includes an Introduction and Afterword by Charles L. Grant.

Sleepy Hollow is a strange little place...some say bewitched. Some talk of its haunted valleys and streams, the ghostly woman in white, eerie midnight shrieks and howls, but most of all they talk of the Headless Horseman. A huge, shadowy soldier who rides headless through the night, terrifying unlucky travellers.

Schoolteacher Ichabod Crane is fascinated by these stories....Until late one night, walking home through Wiley's swamp, 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?

Two of Washington Irving's works of short fiction from his 1819-20 work, The Sketch Book Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow are among the most enduringly popular of American classics. In his own day, Irving's works were widely read in Britain as well as in America; the English novelist William Makepiece Thackeray described him as 'the first ambassador whom the New World of Letters sent to the Old.' This edition takes notice of transatlantic literary history with an appendix of reviews from American and British newspapers, and by printing in facing page format the American and British versions of 'Traits of Indian Character' (which differed from each other in a variety of interesting ways). Also included are an excerpt from Irving's first major work, A History of New York; excerpts from a key source that Irving drew on for Rip Van Winkle and a selection of illustrations showing some of the ways in which this character was imagined in nineteenth-century America. With a concise but wide-ranging introduction and extensive explanatory notes, this edition is ideally suited for course use.This volume is one of a number of editions that have been drawn from the pages of the acclaimed Broadview Anthology of American Literature; like the others, it is designed to make a range of material from the anthology available in a format convenient for use in a wide variety of contexts.

A stunning new edition of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and other stories including Rip Van Winkle. Little treasures, the FLAME TREE COLLECTABLE CLASSICS are chosen to create a delightful and timeless home library. Each stunning, gift edition features deluxe cover treatments, ribbon markers, luxury endpapers and gilded edges. The unabridged text is accompanied by a Glossary of Victorian and Literary terms produced for the modern reader. First published in The Sketch Book in 1819-20, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow tells the story of schoolmaster Ichabod Crane, who comes to live in Sleepy Hollow, a Dutch settlement near the Hudson River. It is a place that abounds with local superstitions, including one concerning a headless horseman. Crane's eye is caught by Katrina van Tassel, the daughter of a wealthy farmer, and he starts to court her. This behaviour provokes the ire of another would-be-suitor, Brom Bones, a renowned village prankster. At a party, Crane confesses his love for Katrina, who rejects him. On his way home, he encounters the 'horseman', who hurls his head at Crane. Ichabod Crane is never heard of again. The only traces that remained of him were his horse, saddle, hat and a mysterious shattered pumpkin. What did happen to Ichabod Crane that night, and who was the Headless Horseman?

With these words, Washington Irving expresses the dilemma of every American artist in the nineteenth century. The Sketch-Book (1820-1) looks simultaneously towards audiences on both sides of the Atlantic, as 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'. The result was not only a hugely successful travel book; it exerted a strong formative influence on American writers from Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe to Henry James, and is well worth rediscovery in its own right today. Based on Irving's final revision of his most popular work, this new edition includes comprehensive explanatory notes of The Sketch-Book's sources for the modern reader. In her introduction, Susan Manning suggests that the author forged a new idiom, the 'Literary Picturesque', to accommodate and turn to advantage his dilemma of dual literary allegiances. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

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.

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.

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.

Ichabod Crane is a young schoolmaster from Connecticut now living in Sleepy Hollow, a settlement in New York State notorious for rumours of ghostly visitations, especially from the infamous Headless Horseman. Considered an outsider by the local inhabitants, he falls in love with the eighteen-year-old Katrina Van Tassel, but has to contend with the loutish Brom Bones for her affections. Then one night Crane's mounting problems come to a head when he finally experiences the horrors of the supernatural first-hand... A classic tale of American Gothic, `The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' has found a central place in the collective imagination and inspired many adaptations. Also included in this volume is a selection of some of Irving's most celebrated ghostly tales, such as `The Phantom Island' and `The Devil and Tom Walker'.

Washington Riving was the first American man of letters to receive international recognition. He in fact spent almost a third of his life in Europe, including several years in Spain attached to the American Legation. He travelled about that country from 1826-9, working in the Libraries of Madrid and Seville, and for a time living in the Alhambra. From these studies Irving compiled a vast store of information concerning the dominance of the moors in Spain, and also prepared extensive notes dealing with the foundation of the Islamic faith. Twenty years passed before Irving was able to collate all his writings into a single body of work. The resultant 'Mahomet and His Successors', published in two volumes in 1849-50, was well-received in both American and Europe, providing as it did an excellent introductory study of the life of the Prophet and the founding of Islam. The work remains of interest to the general reader and will now also attract the student of Islamic historical literature for whom this republished work, in facsimile of the 1868 edition, will be especially welcome.

This title is suitable for children aged 10 years and up. This collection of masterful stories by Washington Irving includes the classic The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the eerie Rip Van Winkle, the funny The Specter Bridegroom and the spooky The Devil and Tom Walker. These four stories create a strange and macabre anthology that's perfect for Halloween, or any time you want to feel your skin crawl. This handsome, unabridged edition of Irving's famous tales, with striking illustrations by Scott McKowen, joins Sterling's beloved classics line and is sure to find a treasured place in any family's library.