Washington Irving

A History of New York: From the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty (eBook, ePUB)

(Complete Edition - Volume 1&2)

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

In 'A History of New York: From the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty', Washington Irving, under the guise of the fictitious Diedrich Knickerbocker, delivers a masterful blend of history and satire. This brazenly embellished chronicle paints a vivid tableau of New Amsterdam, pulling the reader through an imaginative journey that plays with temporal dimensions, starting from the creation of the world up through the Dutch colonial period. Irving's prose is enlivened by a sly humor that caricatures early American life, magnifying the idiosyncrasies of its settlers with lampooning finesse. The work navigates the space between earnest historiography and playful fiction, inviting interpretations on the nature of historical truth and the political landscape of Irving's time. Washington Irving's literary contribution is closely tied to the burgeoning American identity of the early 19th century. This book, seminal in Irving's oeuvre, mirrors his dexterity in navigating and satirizing political climates. His experience and acumen not just as a writer but as a biographer, essayist, historian and diplomat, including his role as the U.S. ambassador to Spain, are evident in the discerning wit and historicity that suffuse his narrative. Irving's perspective on national character and governance prompt both chuckles and contemplation, establishing him as a critical observer of America's infancy. 'A History of New York' is recommended for those who delight in a narrative that winks at the reader as it recounts and reconstructs the past. Irving's creative license embellishes historical record with storytelling panache, providing a commentary that remains as relevant today as it was in his time. The insightful scholar and the casual reader alike will find enlightenment and entertainment in Irving's craft of historical writing that dances so elegantly between informative and satirical worlds.

---

Dieser Download kann aus rechtlichen Gründen nur mit Rechnungsadresse in A, B, BG, CY, CZ, D, DK, EW, E, FIN, F, GR, H, IRL, I, LT, L, LR, M, NL, PL, P, R, S, SLO, SK ausgeliefert werden.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: DigiCat
• Seitenzahl: 358
• Erscheinungstermin: 5. Dezember 2023
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 8596547743095
• Artikelnr.: 69436900

Autorenporträt

Washington Irving (1783-1859), an iconic figure in American literature, is celebrated for his remarkable contribution to early nineteenth-century writing. Born in New York City shortly after the American Revolution, Irving cultivated a literary style marked by wit, eloquent prose, and a keen engagement with the themes of tradition and history. His book 'A History of New York: From the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty,' originally published under the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker in 1809, exemplifies Irving's satirical finesse, offering a playful and imaginative retelling of New York's history that simultaneously managed to critique contemporary society and politics. The book is noted for its clever use of a fictional narrator, a device that allowed Irving to challenge readers' perceptions of authenticity and historical narrative. Throughout his career, Irving also produced a significant corpus of work, including the beloved tales 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' and 'Rip Van Winkle,' found in 'The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.' These stories, with their blend of American and European literary traditions, helped define a uniquely American voice in literature. His works often explored the boundaries of reality and fantasy, a narrative style that would make a substantial impact on the development of American fiction. Irving's legacy resides not only in the literary merit of his works but also in his role in shaping an American identity within the literary canon.