Book Description
A renowned historian explores the life and times of WashingtonIrving--the beloved author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and RipVan Winkle

Washington Irving--author, ambassador, and Manhattanite--has largelyslipped from America's memory, and yet, his creations are well known.Acclaimed historian Andrew Burstein returns Irving to the context of hisnative nineteenth century where he was an international celebrity--both acomic genius and the first American to earn his living as an author. Irvingtraveled through Europe and America, excavating tales and writing popularsocial satire, beloved children's stories, gothic drama, and picturesquehistory. He gave his young nation such enduring tales as The Legend ofSleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle. His 1809 burlesque, AHistory of New York, popularized the figure of jolly old St. Nicholas,and gave birth to the modern American Christmas. Irving was the original"Knickerbocker"; he also coined "Gotham" as the name for New York.

By showing Irving as a leading architect of the American personalityBurstein has managed to reinvigorate the legacy of one our nation's mostoutsized literary talents as well as to help us better understand thecountry we live in. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

It's a lively yet scholarly presentation perfect for all kinds of collections.
Any public library strong in biography or school library strong in literature surrounding Washington Irving will find THE ORIGINAL KNICKERBOCKER a 'must have' acquisition: Irving was author, ambassador and an international icon whose legacy lasts into today and set many trends beyond his literary legacy. THE ORIGINAL KNICKERBOCKER traces all his achievements, adding background history of his times to help emphasize his life and importance. It's a lively yet scholarly presentation perfect for all kinds of collections.

Disappointing biography
This book is dissapointing, at least in Irving's Spanish years. It seems a summary for the school. Burstein doesn't achieve to introduce the reader in the events of Irving's life. The author just say with few words which others tell in great detail. Due to lack of space? The answer is NO, because he fills pages with unnecessary themes from some Irving's books (Colon, Boabdil,...) or general culture. His luck in biographics elements is that all known Irving's letters and journals are already published. The lack of effort of this work serves to value better the thorough investigation of S.T. Williams (1935). Burstein's book is sold as an Irving's biography made by an historian ("at last"), but he seems a mere reviewer, in the era of copy/paste.

The Original Knickerbocker: The Life of Washington Irving
A solid journeyman biography but nothing new and omitted some of Irvings that readers might find interesting such as his life in in NYC and his activity on the Bowery in his early life. Irving was the first American author to earn his living by writing alone. His first work "The History of New York" became his big earner as he revised and printed new editions through his life. The work that he is most remembered for "The Legend of Sleppy Hallow" was writen and published while he was in Europe as part of a folio.

Irving compaired to many if not most writers of his time lead a rather dull and uneventful life. A cliff handing biography of washington Irving would be a challenge for any biographer so we can't fault Mr. Burstein for a rather unexciting story of one of Americas early writers. The biggist event in his life was the none event of his marriage.

A dull depiction of a fascinating man.
I have read one other biography of Irving, most of Irving's work and have two books of his personal notes and journals, so this is not a subject I am unfamiliar with.

First of all it's nice to see someone trying to resurrect this now forgotten but important figure of American Literature. If Americans know him at all, its through cartoons of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Irving is much more - a great wit and merry soul with, as the author points out, a unique combination of romanticism and healthy realism/skepticism.
While I can't find fault with the author's prose, I did not find it inspiring or lively - something I would expect, no, require from anyone writing about Irving.He seems to 'not get' the charm Irving's character - and here's one example:

He tells the famous story of Irving's Scottish maid introducing George Washington to his six year old namesake, Irving. However, he doesn't add in the famous quip by Irving -that his bald spot was the result of the President laying his divine hand on his head (or something like that). Its little details like that that make the story interesting - and a perfect opportunity to illustrate Irving's character.

Nowhere did he go into Irving's influence on other authors: Irving, I understand, is purported to have suggested the "Rebbecca" character in Ivanhoe to Sir Walter Scott, based on an actual Jewish woman he knew or had heard of in Philadelphia. Also, Dicken's admiration of Irving and the fact that Irving's brother was named Ebeneezer should provide a 'connect the dots' for somebody on the ball. [...].

Another glaring omission: Irving's contemplation of pursuing a career as an artist - and the sketches that often accompany his journals.

The Burstein's sometime PC/modern sensibilities were annoying but mercifully few and far between. But he either has a bias or simply didn't do the research into Irving's religious background. While not 'fanatic' or even overtly spiritual - he did convert to Episcopaliansim in secret at trinity church when still a teenager, and later in life served as a vestryman at the Episcopal church in Tarrytown where his personal affects are still on display - how could someone writing a book on Irving not know this? one gets the sense that Burstein never even visited Tarrytown/Sunnyside though I am sure he did. Burnstein doesn't hesitate to go into Irving's condemnation of religious fanaticism and dislike of his father's stern Presbyterianism, so I can only guess that he as an active bias, or he's very sloppy.

I also thought the sections on his stay at the Alhambra and Spain was too short and lacking any vitality. I have stood in the chambers at the Alhambra that Irving was purported to stay in, walked the grounds that so enchanted him and have to say, after doing that, reading Irving's book Tales of the Alhambra, I wonder if Burstien and I are talking about the same place and writer. It's a crime to be mundane about either!

Still overall, I would say the book is worth reading because it's the onlycontemporary source of consolidated information on Irving (I believe that the last biography was over 40 years ago) however, Burstein does notprovide enough of an argument, or 'tools' to justify a long overdue Irving revival. At the end of the day, despite digging his nose into Irving's works and life for some time, Burstein just 'doesn't get it'.
(ps, I would rate two stars, but you can't adjust after submitting) ... Read more

Book Description
This is a beautiful book honoring Washington Irving (1783-1859) and his house, Sunnyside, as focal points of America's artistics life during the first half of the nineteenth century.Irving's colorful and painterly style continues to delight readers in the U.S. and abroad.His work had a profound influence upon the artists of his day. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Reserch Report GOLD
While doing a research report, i found this book in the bibliography of one other. I decided to check it out. if you're doing a report od Mr. Irving, i highly recoomend this book :D ... Read more

Book Description
These journals, containing as they do a carefully detailed account of Irving's travels, experiences, and observations during the development and productive periods of his genius, may be regarded as having an important bearing upon American literature, entirely apart from their historic significance or their value as records of travel. That Irving was a draughtsman of some talent is proven by the facsimiles of his numerous sketches scatered throughout this work.

THIS TITLE IS CITED AND RECOMMENDED BY:Books for College Libraries; Bibliography of American Literature; Guide to the Study of the United States of America. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (4)

A CLASSIC
I bought this CD last Halloween, and I just ordered one as a gift. I read the Library Jouranl review.WOW!has this reviewer ever read the book?? The "acting is over the top??"The BOOK is over the top!This recording nailed Washington Irving's beautiful words and brought the whole flavour of the book to life.The acting is great!Lincoln Clark is THE definative Ichabod Crane. The narration draws you in, and the music score deserves a CD of its own.This will surely be a Halloween tradition in my family. Library Journal - dust off the book and read it again. You will see that this production by the incredible Colonial Radio Theatre hits the nail on the head.It is a masterpiece!

I really loved this production
I make no bones about it.I am an Legend of Sleepy Hollow fanatic.I have loved the story ever since growing up in that wonderful region along the Tappan Zee.Every Autumn, I look forward to reliving what WAshington Irving so lovingly captured.This production is simply a wonder to behold.It captures the flavor and feel of what Mr. Irving with our doubt meant to present.I was stunned to discover (to their credit) that this production remained very faithful to the book (something rarely done in this Hip Hop age).This is a great CD and I hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy the acting and very powerful music score.Get a copy, you will be glad you did.

Absolutely True to the Book!
After listening to a friend's copy of Colonial Radio Theatre's "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" I decided to purchase some for myself and to give as gifts for next Halloween. Of all the audio or movie productions I know of, this is by far the only one most like Washington Irving's book.
What fascinates me is that Irving's sumptuous and colorful writing style has been lovingly captured by the actors.Even his wonderfully descriptive--not to mention extensive--narration is performed with ease, gently drawing the listener into the spirit-filled world of Sleepy Hollow.
I applaud the producers who, employing excellent production values, have chosen to maintain the integrity of the original book.

This is a great version of a timeless story!
This is excellent...5 stars...It does not get any better than this!How is that for a simple review?Well, I love audio dramas, and have been listening to them almost exclusively now for over a decade.I also love the writing of Washington Irving..So I feel the need to let the world know that finally someone has done my boy Washington Irving justice with his superb "legend of Sleepy Hollow".Colonial Radio hit the ball out of the park when they recorded this gem.The acting is FANTASTIC!They all captured the essence of these wonderfully absurd characters...I loved Icabod, as I loved Brom Bones.The narration too was a joy to behold (as he let Washington's prose speak for itself, though it was certainly performed with flair and pinache, just as one would perform a one man show...no dull audio book drone here).The Musical score was inspired (Three cheers for Mr. Gage), and the surprise musical number was a joy.I used to read this classic every October,now I make it a point of catching this chestnut while it is airing on XM radio, or I just pop in my CD.Great job Colonial, this truly is as good as it gets! ... Read more