Early American Writing (Penguin Classics)

Rating:
Summary: Early American literature
Review: I deem this quite a good anthology; it tries to encompass everything. It includes 18 pages of American Indian mythology, followed by 73 pages of writing by Europeans about America, from the Norse saga of Eric the Red to a poem by George Herbert. The rest of the book (500-odd pages) is devoted to the literature of the colonials and early republic. Mostly exerpts from longer works, it contains explorers' accounts, sermons, historical accounts, poetry, diaries, and essays. Some of the writers included are William Bradford, Mary Rowlandson, Edward Taylor, Ebenezer Cook, Jonathan Edwards, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, plus dozens of others. Quite a bit is represented, and it it something to dip into time and time again.

If, like me, you're also interested in early American literature, then you can also get these books published as Penguin Classics: "The Vinland Sagas"; "The Four Voyages" by Christopher Columbus; "Colonial American Travel Narratives"; "The Autobiography and Other Writings" by Benjamin Franklin; "Letters from an American Farmer & Sketches of 18th Century America" by Crevecoeur; "Notes on the State of Virginia" by Thomas Jefferson; "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine; "The Rights of Man" by Thomas Paine; "The Thomas Paine Reader"; "The Federalist Papers" by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay; "The Power of Sympathy & The Coquette" by William Hill Brown and Hannah Foster respectively; "The Emigrants" by Gilbert Imlay; "Charlotte Temple & Lucy Temple" by Susanna Rowson; "The Interesting Narrative and Other Writings" by Olaudah Equiano; "Edgar Huntly" by Charles Brockden Brown; "Wieland & Memoirs of Carwin" also by Brown; "Early American Drama"; and "Women's Indian Captivity Narratives".

Rating:
Summary: Early American literature
Review: I deem this quite a good anthology; it tries to encompass everything. It includes 18 pages of American Indian mythology, followed by 73 pages of writing by Europeans about America, from the Norse saga of Eric the Red to a poem by George Herbert. The rest of the book (500-odd pages) is devoted to the literature of the colonials and early republic. Mostly exerpts from longer works, it contains explorers' accounts, sermons, historical accounts, poetry, diaries, and essays. Some of the writers included are William Bradford, Mary Rowlandson, Edward Taylor, Ebenezer Cook, Jonathan Edwards, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, plus dozens of others. Quite a bit is represented, and it it something to dip into time and time again.

If, like me, you're also interested in early American literature, then you can also get these books published as Penguin Classics: "The Vinland Sagas"; "The Four Voyages" by Christopher Columbus; "Colonial American Travel Narratives"; "The Autobiography and Other Writings" by Benjamin Franklin; "Letters from an American Farmer & Sketches of 18th Century America" by Crevecoeur; "Notes on the State of Virginia" by Thomas Jefferson; "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine; "The Rights of Man" by Thomas Paine; "The Thomas Paine Reader"; "The Federalist Papers" by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay; "The Power of Sympathy & The Coquette" by William Hill Brown and Hannah Foster respectively; "The Emigrants" by Gilbert Imlay; "Charlotte Temple & Lucy Temple" by Susanna Rowson; "The Interesting Narrative and Other Writings" by Olaudah Equiano; "Edgar Huntly" by Charles Brockden Brown; "Wieland & Memoirs of Carwin" also by Brown; "Early American Drama"; and "Women's Indian Captivity Narratives".

Rating:
Summary: Well.... it's pushing it.
Review: This book I have given a mixed review. It was originally purchased as a textbook for a literature class in college, but I dropped the class early. I know, I know, dropping out of a class is not good, but I have my excuses. The book started off as a difficult read. It's a collection/anthology of various writings by different authors throughout history all writing about the New World (the Americas). The writings, for the most part, are presented in chronological order. The older, more difficult to comprehend writings are toward the beginning and the reading becomes more comprehensible as the reader goes through the book. I didn't get to finish the book, because time restraints in my schedule. Some of the writings were interesting (such as the later stories) while others were rather boring (the stories or letters written in uncomprehensible or Old English style language). Hence, my mixed review. I would say it's a great book, nor would I say it's bad. My intention is to release the book and hope there is someone out there who will get more enjoyment out of the book than I did. Good reading everyone!