It had been many years since I had read this wonderful story. I had forgotten how absolutely hilarious it is. Example: “he was a huge feeder, and, though lank, had the dilating powers of an anaconda.” Do not read on an empty stomach as there are many tantalizing descriptions of various food stuffs. ( )

This is the story of Icubob Crain and the headless horseman. Icabob is a teacher who is less than attractive but seems to be unlucky, finding himself in the middle of a great mystery in a small town where everyone fears the ghost of the headless horseman that comes out at night.

I though this story was a good story but better for a little bit older age group. This is a story written from the original and has been tamed down a lot. But a horseman with no head that comes out at night might scare young children none the less.

With this story you could have the children draw out pictures of what the characters in the book might look like now in this day and time. Also you could discuss riding a horse when you have no head, how hard would that be and how does he see where he’s going?

This is one of those stories that needs to be savored. The words have a beautiful cadence that make for great material to be read aloud. The story itself is fun, with vivid characters and a bit of mystery. But I go back to it every now and then just to experience the beauty of the language. ( )

The classic story of the Headless Horseman.

I loved Irving's style of writing. This was a very enjoyable read. However, I'm always disappointed reading great stories that lacking in depth. The brevity of this story, (less than seventy very short pages), is it's major flaw. I wish Irving had taken the time to go deeper into the various characters and developed the story more. But, it's an entertaining read nonetheless. ( )

It's interesting how one sees a book that one has read before at the ages of 10, 22, and 40-something. Now at 64, I see clearly how Bram Bones pulled his trick on Ickobod Crane, leaving the field wide open for his marriage to the sweet baker of Dutch delights.
What earns this book the five stars is the delicious descriptions of the 18th century Tappen Zee, Sing, Sing, Tarrytown area, which now are urban attachments to the greater Metropolitan New York area. We know the time this story takes place as they are still discussing the Revolutionary War, although methinks Irving's description is the rural scene about 50 to 100 years earlier.
Whatever, Irving brings you right into Ichobod and Brum's and Katrina's lives and their culture, using what I choose to call "high omniscient" voice. This is a voice that knows everything and paints people's profiles for the reader. We know Ichobod Crane is a wonderful dancer and erudite scholar, but he also despises more than a touch of manual labor. He also wants Katrina for her dowry of the huge farm and its wealth, while the Dutch lad wants her for herself. ( )