Bracebridge Hall

Bracebridge Hall by Washington Irving

This is a collection of short stories about occupants of an English manor house. They have the "small town" quarrels and challenges in their life. It is hard to get really attached to them.

Knickerbocker's History of New York

Knickerbocker's History of New York by Washington Irving

This history of New York City is humorous "history" of New York City that alternates between pure commentary and biting social commentary. Manhattan was named after  "Man Hat On". The land was claimed as unoccupied. What about the people that already lived there? Well, they stood on two feet, but their sounds were not distinguished. They also didn't have the negative foibles of the Europeans so they couldn't claim it. That part even breaks out to a discussion of the what would happen if aliens would try to claim it from the current inhabitants. The commentary seems remarkably current for something written over two centuries ago.

The second half of the book focuses primarily on New Amsterdam. There are many bits of biting commentary and jokes in with what is a straightforward history. Wampum currency has some matter of fact implications. A dutch leader ends up going by "Pig" as an honor. The book also provides details of the story of Santa Claus and St. Nicholas. This seems to be one of the first documented sources of many of the Christmas traditions. This all makes for a great early "history" of New York.

Rip Van Winkle and Other Stories

Rip Van Winkle and Other Stories by Washington Irving

What stood out most for me was the brevity. The whole point of Rip Van Winkle is made quickly without much fuss. The headless horseman seems to be an incidental character in Sleepy Hollow. The other stories were not bad, but I do not recall many of the details.

"Rip Van Winkle" (1819 from The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.)

"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" (1820 from The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.)

"The Spectre Bridegroom" (1819 from The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.)

"The Adventure of the German Student"  (1824 from Tales of the Traveler)

"The Devil and Tom Walker"  (1824 from Tales of the Traveler)

"The Adventure of the Mason" (1832 from Tales of the Alhambra)

"Legend of the Rose of Alhambra" (1832 from Tales of the Alhambra)

"The Governor and the Notary" (1832 from Tales of the Alhambra)

"Governor Manco and the Soldier" (1832 from Tales of the Alhambra)

Astoria; Or, Anecdotes of an Enterprise Beyond the Rocky Mountains

Astoria; Or, Anecdotes of an Enterprise Beyond the Rocky Mountains by Washington Irving

This is a history of the west and more particularly, the Pacific Northwest. These areas were the frontier at the time. Astor financed expeditions to explore and help support his fur business as well as the United State's needs.  This fairly long history captures the events and the times. The book is a narrative that reads well, rather than a well-documented history.