lederstrumpf erzählungen, in der ursprünglichen form (edition 1922)

This was a very good idea for a compilation. Allan Nevins takes all of Cooper’s Leatherstocking tales (The Deerslayer, The Last of the Mohicans, The Pathfinder, The Pioneers and The Prairie), edits out the parts that don’t have much or anything to do with Natty and puts them in chronological order “from Hawkeye’s youth on the New York frontier in King George’s War until his death on the Western prairies in Jefferson’s Administration.” It’s sort of a Reader’s Digest Condensed Book for American Lit majors. There is a good bit of useful introductory matter with essays and maps plus bridging summaries and notes within the texts. Not all of the novels get the same amount of trimming. The Prairie is the shortest with 68 pages retained and The Deerslayer is the longer at 236 pages. All in all, this a good way to read about Hawkeye (or whatever he calls himself at the moment) in one continuous story. ( )

In the fifties, almost every child knew Cooper’s books. Many scenes served as inspiration for outdoor games and a practical know-how in the trial of physical strength.

I read several of these books as a youngster and credit them with jump-starting my love of reading. As I re-read them now I realize that they are far from fine literature but the tales are still worth reading for their depiction of an important period in American history in the form of a good rousing adventure. ( )

A classic of American literature. It has aged - but it should still be required reading for American students. ( )

Great american saga ( )