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The Man Without a Country & Other Stories
Philip Nolan swears that he never wants to hear of the United States again, when on trial with Aaron Burr for conspiracy. The court martial condemns him to live at sea, where no news of his country will reach him. So begins "The Man Without a Country", one of the stories included here.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1863
About the author
Edward Everett Hale
1,442 books43 followersMore than one hundred fifty literary works of Unitarian cleric and writer Edward Everett Hale, younger brother of fellow American writer Lucretia Peabody Hale, include the story
The Man without a Country
.
This American author, historian, and child prodigy exhibited extraordinary literary skills; Harvard University enrolled him at 13 years of age, and he graduated second in his class. Hale went to write for a variety of publications and periodicals throughout his lifetime.
He fathered author Edward Everett Hale Jr..
This American author, historian, and child prodigy exhibited extraordinary literary skills; Harvard University enrolled him at 13 years of age, and he graduated second in his class. Hale went to write for a variety of publications and periodicals throughout his lifetime.
He fathered author Edward Everett Hale Jr..
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 15, 2018
I wanted to read the title story because I’d heard of it over the years. Turns out it’s mostly of interest for historic reasons. Per Wikipedia, it was written to support the cause of the North in the Civil War, which explains the patriotic speech towards the end extolling the virtues and strengths of the Union.
For the casual reader today, it’s kind of dry and there are many unfamiliar allusions and names. The basic scenario of a man accused of treason and condemned to stay asea for the rest of his life and to never be allowed to hear or read about the US again is part proto-“Twilight Zone” episode and part “be careful what you wish for” fable.
The other stories go from mildly amusing satire (what if a man had s doppelgänger to do all his tedious social duties for him) to intellectual exercises extolling Christianity (what if Homer met David —author of some of the Psalms,, or what might have happened when Nero met the apostle Paul).
Truth in reporting, I did not read the last story because I felt I’d gotten out to of this book what I needed to.
For the casual reader today, it’s kind of dry and there are many unfamiliar allusions and names. The basic scenario of a man accused of treason and condemned to stay asea for the rest of his life and to never be allowed to hear or read about the US again is part proto-“Twilight Zone” episode and part “be careful what you wish for” fable.
The other stories go from mildly amusing satire (what if a man had s doppelgänger to do all his tedious social duties for him) to intellectual exercises extolling Christianity (what if Homer met David —author of some of the Psalms,, or what might have happened when Nero met the apostle Paul).
Truth in reporting, I did not read the last story because I felt I’d gotten out to of this book what I needed to.
January 9, 2011
Mr. Hale attended Harvard University, beginning at age 13, and later wrote many short stories. "The Man Without a Country" was written during the Civil War and stirred up patriotism for the Union's cause, as it told the story of an army officer who says (in court) in a moment of anger that he wishes he'd never heard of the United States. So his punishment is to be on a Navy ship for the rest of his life and to not be allowed to set foot on U.S. soil, or to hear about the USA, for the rest of his life. He of course intensely misses his country and regrets his rash act until the day he dies.
Of the other short stories, the only one I really liked was "My Double, and How He Undid Me", about a preacher who finds a poor man who looks just like himself, so he hires the man to be his "double." The "double" attends all the boring meetings and parties that the preacher doesn't want to attend, while the preacher relaxes at home. Very fun story.
Intereting quotes:
"Dear reader, in a world made by a loving Father, we are all of us children of good fortune, if we only have wit enough to find it out, as we stroll along." (p. 181, in the "Children of the Public")
"There is an excellent fellow...who deserves well of the world till he dies, and after, because he once, in a real exigency, did the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, as no other man could do it. In the world's great football match, the ball by chance found him loitering on the outside of the field; he closed with it, "camped" it, charged it home,--not disturbed, not frightened by his own success,--and breathless found himself a great man,...and he forges on, hoping to meet the football somewhere again." (p. 154, in "My Double, and How He Undid Me")
Hale is also known for his wise sayings, such as, "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do and, by the grace of God, I shall do."
Of the other short stories, the only one I really liked was "My Double, and How He Undid Me", about a preacher who finds a poor man who looks just like himself, so he hires the man to be his "double." The "double" attends all the boring meetings and parties that the preacher doesn't want to attend, while the preacher relaxes at home. Very fun story.
Intereting quotes:
"Dear reader, in a world made by a loving Father, we are all of us children of good fortune, if we only have wit enough to find it out, as we stroll along." (p. 181, in the "Children of the Public")
"There is an excellent fellow...who deserves well of the world till he dies, and after, because he once, in a real exigency, did the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, as no other man could do it. In the world's great football match, the ball by chance found him loitering on the outside of the field; he closed with it, "camped" it, charged it home,--not disturbed, not frightened by his own success,--and breathless found himself a great man,...and he forges on, hoping to meet the football somewhere again." (p. 154, in "My Double, and How He Undid Me")
Hale is also known for his wise sayings, such as, "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do and, by the grace of God, I shall do."
January 8, 2026
This story was so dang long for what it wanted to say. It just doesn't need to last that long. And I go back and forth on the moral. I do like some national pride, but I can't help feeling like this is borderline propaganda.
February 6, 2021
The main story, The Man Without a Country was excellent. The other stories, only so-so.
May 18, 2022
Feels so real
April 2, 2021
Great classic. The back story on why Hale wrote the story is interesting also.
February 22, 2021
This is a book I read as a young kid, and then again as an adult. It was pretty good. Not a classic, per se, but a decent read. In fact, the themes prove quite prescient.
June 18, 2013
Jonathan Edwards alert: I recently reread Hale's, "The Man without a Country". I think I had read it in High School and only vaguely remembered the story. Wow! Glad I reread it.
Philip Nolan, the main character is captivated by Aaron Burr's seductive political talk. Aaron Burr, who was tried for treason after being Jefferson's Vice President and going on to seek his own power-grabbing schemes, was the son of Esther Edwards Burr. Esther Edwards Burr was the daughter of Jonathan Edwards.
Philip Nolan (and this part is fictional), is tried for treason as an accomplice of the real Aaron Burr.
Aaron Burr rejected his mother's and grandparent's faith. Philip Nolan finds his country and .... -you will just have to read again if you don't remember what was found in his Bible and how the Presbyterian "Book of Public Prayer" factors in the story.
Upon rereading, I wept and prayed for our President and our country. God Bless America.
Philip Nolan, the main character is captivated by Aaron Burr's seductive political talk. Aaron Burr, who was tried for treason after being Jefferson's Vice President and going on to seek his own power-grabbing schemes, was the son of Esther Edwards Burr. Esther Edwards Burr was the daughter of Jonathan Edwards.
Philip Nolan (and this part is fictional), is tried for treason as an accomplice of the real Aaron Burr.
Aaron Burr rejected his mother's and grandparent's faith. Philip Nolan finds his country and .... -you will just have to read again if you don't remember what was found in his Bible and how the Presbyterian "Book of Public Prayer" factors in the story.
Upon rereading, I wept and prayed for our President and our country. God Bless America.
November 11, 2012
One of my favorites stories of all times. I always find something new whenever I read it.
November 20, 2013
The Mark Twain story 'The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg' outshone the rest, but each story had its merits and was worthy of digesting.
June 30, 2014
it was a collection of short stories so some were really good and others not so much. overall a pleasant read
November 15, 2014
A man with free speech manages to lose a country. Be careful what you wish for.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews