The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories

'As Ichabod approached this fearful tree, he began to whistle; he thought his whistle was answered.' Originally published as The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., this collection of larger-than-life tales gave America its own haunted mythology while arguably creating the modern short story. These stories and essays, by turns chilling and charming, bring to life characters that continue to capture our imaginations today- the superstitious schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane; the pumpkin-topped Headless Horseman; and Rip van Winkle, who slept through the Revolutionary War. With an introduction by Irving expert Elizabeth L. Bradley, this new edition of Irving's greatest work demonstrates how inextricably his tales are woven into the fabric of American culture and celebrates his enduring contributions to the dream life of a nation. Introduction and Notes by Elizabeth L. Bradley 'Every reader has his first book; I mean to say, one book among all others which is early youth first fascinates his imagination, and at once excites and satisfies the desires of his mind. To me, this first book was The Sketch Book of Washington Irving.' Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 'It is an early American horror story . . . It's got the kind of symbolism that good fairy tales or horror stories have.' Tim Burton