The Last of the Mohicans; A narrative of 1757 [Kindle Edition]

James Fenimore Cooper (Author)

Book Description

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I think these World's Classics editions are really fine. The notes are meaningful and very useful to students, yet the way they are indicated in the text is not intrusive. Great job!."--Grace Epstein, Stephens College

"[An] excellent inexpensive paperback edition. Much better quality than equivilant volumes. The explanatory notes are a valuable addition."--Jeff Cupp, Troy State University

"'Historical Contexts' concise yet thorough. Apparatus generally very satisfying in its relevance and thoroughness."--Fred R. McFadden, Coppin State College

"At last, a paperback book under $4.00! this edition is indeed a "World Classic."--Paul Putt, Lee College

"Introductory material and historical notes are helpful." --Dr. Judy L. Martin, Missouri Western State College

Review

"I think these World's Classics editions are really fine. The notes are meaningful and very useful to students, yet the way they are indicated in the text is not intrusive. Great job!."--Grace Epstein, Stephens College

"[An] excellent inexpensive paperback edition. Much better quality than equivilant volumes. The explanatory notes are a valuable addition."--Jeff Cupp, Troy State University

"'Historical Contexts' concise yet thorough. Apparatus generally very satisfying in its relevance and thoroughness."--Fred R. McFadden, Coppin State College

"At last, a paperback book under $4.00! this edition is indeed a "World Classic."--Paul Putt, Lee College

"Introductory material and historical notes are helpful."--Dr. Judy L. Martin, Missouri Western State College

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 653 KB
• Print Length: 372 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1404315616
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0083ZXXIA
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,714 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 64 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential early American novel October 5, 2001

By Michael J. Mazza HALL OF FAME

Format:Mass Market Paperback

James Fenimore Cooper's novel "The Last of the Mohicans" (subtitled "A Narrative of 1757"), is a remarkable book for many reasons. First published in 1826, the book represents an early attempt to create substantial literary art from the material of North American history and geography. Although the book has its flaws, it is for the most part a success.

In the novel, the white woodsman Hawk-eye and his Mohican Indian comrade Chingachgook join forces to help the daughters of a white military officer through hostile territory. The story takes place in a colonial American setting marked by conflict between French and English forces -- a conflict that also involves various Indian nations.

There are a number of exciting (and often graphically violent) scenes of battle and chase. Hawk-eye, a white man who, to a large degree, rejects European-American values, is a fascinating figure -- indeed, he is one of the most enduring fictional creations in all of United States literature. Through the mouths of Hawk-eye and the various Indian characters, Cooper offers some intriguing criticisms of white culture.

As I said, the book is not without flaws. The momentum of the book lags for a brief stretch, and some of Cooper's characters (in particular, his women) at times sound a bit stereotypical. But the overall power and intelligence of Cooper's work is undeniable. Particularly impressive is his re-creation of a multilingual world of complex cultural and personal conflict. Also noteworthy is his evocation of the American landscape. A tale of death and survival, of betrayal and loyalty, and, above all, of the extraordinary bond between a white man and an Indian, "The Last of the Mohicans" is one classic that deserves to be read and reevaluated by each generation.

85 of 93 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars a piece of history February 17, 2010

By Kayo Smada

Format:Kindle Edition

I thought that this was an excellent study of the European-Indian relationships and intertribal relationships among the Americam Indians. There are some gruesome scenes; I feel it is probably a fairly accurate account of practices at that time amongst those tribes. At times the narrative gets wordy because of the details of the history and traditions. I can't believe this book was taught in the 5-8 grades in this country 30 years ago. I don't think the majority of 12th graders could read this book with ease.

71 of 77 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Voice of the Wilderness March 11, 2005

By Peter Reeve VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Like the Star Wars movies, Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales were written out of sequence. In their chronological order, with their order of publication in parentheses, they are: The Deerslayer (5), The Last of the Mohicans (2), The Pathfinder (4), The Pioneers (1) and The Prairie (3). So if you want to read them in either chronological or published order, you should read Mohicans second. But each novel is self-contained, so if you want to try just one, to decide if the rest are worth reading, then Mohicans is the one to start with, as it is his most famous work and generally acknowledged to be his best.

The hero of these tales, the improbably named Nathaniel Bumppo (or Natty, or Deerslayer, or Hawkeye, or The Long Rifle, or...etc, etc) was the first, and remains the quintessential, all-American fictional hero; brave, noble, honest and more at home in the wilderness than the town. He is not however, the strong, silent type. He has a habit of launching into long, rambling streams of homespun philosophy at the drop of a coonskin cap. Never mind that lead shot is flying thick and fast around his ears, he will lean on his rifle and expound on the different natures of Indians and whites, or the evils of literacy.

The plot of Mohicans is action-packed, but is linear - no surprise twists, and no sub-plots - and contains some highly improbable elements. Well, would you be fooled by an enemy disguised as a beaver? Michael Mann's excellent 1992 screen version reworked the plot extensively, to its advantage.

Cooper was the first distinctively American novelist and was inspired by Walter Scott, the inventor of the historical novel. He was consciously attempting to emulate Scott but, although he writes quite well, he lacks Scott's lyricism. And his characters, specially the women, are resiliently two-dimensional. But he did capture the spirit of the frontier, the pride and pain of a new and growing country, and in doing so created myths out of America's past that have survived, evolved, and have sustained the nation, ever since.

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