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Paul Bunyan
Paul Bunyan (1925) is a novel by James Stevens. Written from a lifetime of experience as a logger and historian of the logging industry, Paul Bunyan is a masterful take on one of the defining legends of the Pacific Northwest. Combining his own stories with those he heard at logging camps as a young boy, Stevens earned a reputation as a leading folklorist of his time whose novels and songs continue to resonate decades after his death. “He could whip his weight in wildcats, could pull clouds out of the sky, or chew up stones, or tell the whole world anything!” Larger than life, Paul Bunyan is a logger whose legend began with the Papineau Rebellion of 1837. As a defender of young Queen Victoria’s right to the forests of Canada, Bunyan fought fiercely against French loggers alongside his comrades armed with mattocks, axes, and hooks. Emerging victorious, he settles down to a life in nature, building his logging camp and roaming the woods with his trusted blue ox Babe. From his boyhood in the lumber camps of Idaho to his time as a logger in Oregon, James Stevens collected the tales of Bunyan from the more experienced men of the woods, eventually becoming the foremost expert on one of the Pacific Northwest’s greatest heroes. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of James Stevens’ Paul Bunyan is a classic work of American literature reimagined for modern readers.
156 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1925
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About the author
James Stevens
4 booksJames Stevens (1892 – 1971) was born on a rented farm in Iowa. His “gypsy father” decided to roam, and his mother worked as a hired girl for $12 per month, so he was raised by his grandmother. At age 10 he was sent to live with relatives in Idaho where he learned to handle horses and cattle. He left home at age 15 to work with horses and mules on construction projects. He also worked in logging camps where late at night around the bunkhouse stove he listened to the lore of the woods and tall tales of Paul Bunyan.
He served in World War I in France and later developed an interest in books. He characterized himself as “a hobo laborer with wishful literary yearning,” and became self-educated at public libraries, which he called “the poor man’s universities.” He settled in Portland, Oregon and began writing for H. L. Mencken’s American Mercury magazine. One of his stories was about the mythical giant Paul Bunyan, which later evolved into a best-selling book.
According to Stevens, “The Paul legend has its origin in the Papineau Rebellion in 1837.” This was a revolt by French-Canadians against their young English queen. Among them was a bearded mighty-muscled rebellious giant named Paul Bunyon (note the French spelling). His slaughters became legend. He later operated a logging camp where he became the most famous camp chief in Canada. At nights around the fire in logging camp cookhouses, songs and tall tales abounded.
By 1860 Paul Bunyan became a genuine legendary folk hero. Lumber companies used these legends in their promotional literature. But it was Stevens who, in his book Paul Bunyan (published by Alfred Knopf in 1925) and in later writings, established Paul Bunyan stories as a significant part of American literature.
By the end of his literary career Stevens had produced nine books and more than 250 stories and magazine articles. Among his works were “Brawny Man” (1926), “Mattock” (1927), “Homer in the Sagebrush” (1928), “The Saginaw Paul Bunyan” (1932), “Paul Bunyan Bears” (1947), “Big Jim Turner” (1948), and “Tree Treasure” (1950). He became the dean of Northwest writers. He was also a protector of the Northwest forest industries and worked to preserve the rich heritage of the woods.
In his later years he moved to Seattle with his wife, Theresa Seltz Fitzgerald, where he was active in Plymouth Congregational Church, the local American Legion, and the public relations committee of the Chamber of Commerce. He retired in 1957 as public relations director for the West Coast Lumberman’s Association, and died in Seattle at age 79 on Dec. 31, 1971.
He served in World War I in France and later developed an interest in books. He characterized himself as “a hobo laborer with wishful literary yearning,” and became self-educated at public libraries, which he called “the poor man’s universities.” He settled in Portland, Oregon and began writing for H. L. Mencken’s American Mercury magazine. One of his stories was about the mythical giant Paul Bunyan, which later evolved into a best-selling book.
According to Stevens, “The Paul legend has its origin in the Papineau Rebellion in 1837.” This was a revolt by French-Canadians against their young English queen. Among them was a bearded mighty-muscled rebellious giant named Paul Bunyon (note the French spelling). His slaughters became legend. He later operated a logging camp where he became the most famous camp chief in Canada. At nights around the fire in logging camp cookhouses, songs and tall tales abounded.
By 1860 Paul Bunyan became a genuine legendary folk hero. Lumber companies used these legends in their promotional literature. But it was Stevens who, in his book Paul Bunyan (published by Alfred Knopf in 1925) and in later writings, established Paul Bunyan stories as a significant part of American literature.
By the end of his literary career Stevens had produced nine books and more than 250 stories and magazine articles. Among his works were “Brawny Man” (1926), “Mattock” (1927), “Homer in the Sagebrush” (1928), “The Saginaw Paul Bunyan” (1932), “Paul Bunyan Bears” (1947), “Big Jim Turner” (1948), and “Tree Treasure” (1950). He became the dean of Northwest writers. He was also a protector of the Northwest forest industries and worked to preserve the rich heritage of the woods.
In his later years he moved to Seattle with his wife, Theresa Seltz Fitzgerald, where he was active in Plymouth Congregational Church, the local American Legion, and the public relations committee of the Chamber of Commerce. He retired in 1957 as public relations director for the West Coast Lumberman’s Association, and died in Seattle at age 79 on Dec. 31, 1971.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 16, 2023
I finished reading James Stevens' 1925 collection of Paul Bunyan stories. What a fascinating read - no rose-tint glasses for Babe the Blue Ox or giant pancakes - just a celebration of industrialism, upper management myth-making and a somber remembrance of the days before unions.
James Stevens is a poet, a songwriter, and a self-proclaimed "hobo laborer." His Paul Bunyan stories are equal parts machismo, unabashed earnestness. For example: "Women, the great logger had heard, were often marvelous cooks; but men had invented both can-openers and doughnuts."
Anyway, the book is an absolute treat and now I'm just a bit obsessed with learning more about Paul Bunyan.
James Stevens is a poet, a songwriter, and a self-proclaimed "hobo laborer." His Paul Bunyan stories are equal parts machismo, unabashed earnestness. For example: "Women, the great logger had heard, were often marvelous cooks; but men had invented both can-openers and doughnuts."
Anyway, the book is an absolute treat and now I'm just a bit obsessed with learning more about Paul Bunyan.
July 13, 2023
All my life I have heard of Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox but other than seeing the statues in Minnesota I did not know much of the story. I was not impressed with James Stevens' "tall tales"! They are so outlandish and wild that I thought they were of little value. But then I am an old dull practical person. I am glad I read it and am delighted to have an old copy of the book in particularly good condition. My two 8-year-old grandsons from Minnesota may enjoy these stories more than I. I might read them to them.
April 18, 2014
This book instantly came to mind when I read the description for traditional literature for this week's list.
I read this book years ago, and it enchanted me with the legend of Paul Bunyan. Reading it now, I see lists of larger than life tales of a logger than may or may not have existed. As a 5th grader reading this book however, I was enchanted. The tales of adventure are many in this novel, which connects Paul to a real life rebellion in French Canada and traces his legend throughout loggers in the United States. I know now that Paul Bunyan was actually created by a lumber company for advertisement purposes, but I did not know that when I was ten. I still very much enjoy this work to this day.
I can see myself teaching this book as part of a unit on folklore or mythology. It would also be interesting to tie Paul Bunyan's story in with a lesson on Minnesota history, as he is very iconic in this State.
I read this book years ago, and it enchanted me with the legend of Paul Bunyan. Reading it now, I see lists of larger than life tales of a logger than may or may not have existed. As a 5th grader reading this book however, I was enchanted. The tales of adventure are many in this novel, which connects Paul to a real life rebellion in French Canada and traces his legend throughout loggers in the United States. I know now that Paul Bunyan was actually created by a lumber company for advertisement purposes, but I did not know that when I was ten. I still very much enjoy this work to this day.
I can see myself teaching this book as part of a unit on folklore or mythology. It would also be interesting to tie Paul Bunyan's story in with a lesson on Minnesota history, as he is very iconic in this State.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews