Wolfert's Roost and Miscellanies

by Washington Irving

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: Fiction, Classics, Historical, Short Stories

154 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1884

About the author

People remember American writer Washington Irving for the stories " Rip Van Winkle " and " The Legend of Sleepy Hollow ," contained in The Sketch Book (1820).

This author, essayist, biographer and historian of the early 19th century wrote newspaper articles under the pseudonym Jonathan Oldstyle to begin his literary career at the age of nineteen years.

In 1809, he published The History of New York under his most popular public persona, Diedrich Knickerbocker.

Historical works of Irving include a five volume biography of George Washington (after whom he was named) as well as biographies of Oliver Goldsmith, Muhammad, and several histories, dealing with subjects, such as Christopher Columbus, the Moors, and the Alhambra, of 15th-century Spain. John Tyler, president, appointed Irving to serve as the first Spanish speaking United States minister to Spain from 1842 to 1846.

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chronicle of Wolfert's Roost - 5 Stars
Sleepy Hollow [not Legend of but description of the Village] - 5 Stars
Birds Of Spring - 4 Stars

Enchanted Island - 4 Stars
Recollections of the Alhambra - 3.5 Stars
Abencerrage A Spanish Tale - 4.5 Stars
Enchanted Island - 4 Stars
Adelantado of the Seven Cities - 5 Stars

National Nomenclature - 4 Stars
Desultory Thoughts on Criticism - 3.5 Stars

Spanish Romance - 3.5 Stars
Legend of Don Muio Sancho De Hinojosa - 5 Stars

Communipaw - 3.5 Stars
Conspiracy of the Cocked Hats - 3.5 Stars
Guests From Gibbet-Island Legend of Communipaw - 4.5 Stars

The Bermudas A Shakespearian Research - 4 Stars
The Three Kings of Bermuda and Their Treasure of Ambergris - 4 Stars

Pelayo and the Merchant's Daughter - 4 Stars
Knight of Malta: The Grand Prior of Minorca - 5 Stars
Legend of the Engulphed Convent - 5 Stars

The Count Van Horn - 4 Stars

[Adrian Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

After traveling extensively in Europe for several years, Washington Irving came home to his beloved New England and bought an estate which he named Sunnyside. Never to be one whose imagination or thirst for history could be quenched, he did research on his new home, and discovered the legends and folk tales surrounding the place. This was enough to set his pen flashing over the page, and this book is the result. Presented as a series of letters to a fictitious magazine of the time, it recounts the local stories of his abode and the country round, no doubt with embellishments. However, it also gives an interesting view of some of the stories of New England that have been all but lost in this day and age, along with insight into Irving's own love of his heritage.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely ghost stories and histories of the Dutch in New York.