Myths, Legends, and Folktales of America: An Anthology [Paperback]

David Leeming (Author), Jake Page (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 27, 2000

This marvelous collection brings together the great myths and legends of the United States--from the creation stories of the first inhabitants, to the tall tales of the Western frontier, to the legendary outlaws of the 1920s, and beyond. This thoroughly engaging anthology is sweeping in its scope, embracing Big Foot and Windigo, Hiawatha and Uncle Sam, Paul Revere and Billy the Kid, and even the Iroquois Flying Head and Elvis. In the book's section on dogmas and icons, for instance, Leeming and Page discuss the American melting pot, the notion of manifest destiny, and the imposing historical and literary figure of Henry Adams. And under Heroes and Heroines, they have assembled everyone from "Honest Abe" Lincoln and George "I Cannot Tell a Lie" Washington to Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, and Martin Luther King, Jr. For every myth or hero rendered here, the editors include an informative yet readable excerpt, often the definitive account of the story in question. Taken as a whole, Myths, Legends, and Folktales of America reveals how waves of immigrants, encountering this strange land for the first time, adapted their religions, beliefs, and folklore to help make sense of a new and astounding place. Covering Johnny Appleseed and Stagolee as well as Paul Bunyan and Moby Dick, this wonderful anthology illuminates our nation's myth-making, enriching our idea of what it means to be American.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This entertaining anthology presents the astonishing breadth of American folklore, embracing beliefs, myths, sketches, and tall tales that reflect the American experience. Though modest in length, it effectively covers America's polyglot society, ranging from Native Americans to African Americans, Asian Americans, and European Americans. Assembled from original documents and secondary sources, the vignettes reveal a country full of characters vital to our collective memory, from Paul Revere to Superman. The headnotes are exceptionally informative. The editors, who collaborated previously on God: Myths of the Male Divine (LJ 1/96), here continue in the spirit of the late Ben Botkin (e.g., A Treasury of American Folklore, 1944). Deftly arranged and clearly written, this anthology celebrates the diversity and rich heritage shared by all Americans.?Richard K. Burns, MSLS, Hatboro, PA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Deftly arranged and clearly written, this anthology celebrates the diversity and rich heritage shared by all Americans."--Library Journal

"This eclectic collection has a place in any high school library as it underscores and enhances any history course and serves well as a springboard for further discussion."--Kliatt

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (July 27, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195117840
• ISBN-13: 978-0195117844
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #717,799 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Myths, Legends and Folktales of America, May 15, 2000

By 

Bruce Kibler (Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Myths, Legends, and Folktales of America: An Anthology (Hardcover)

A surpirse indeed. I was actually expecting and anthology of folktales ranging from Paul Bunyan to Casey Jones and Johnny Appleseed etc. Although most of these also appear in the book, the book delves into the historical roots of many of the belief systems of american indians as well. Tracing European, African and Asian beliefs/myths/legends about creation and the development of (wo)mankind makes for fascinating reading. How these belief systems intermingled and adapted to thier new environment and formed a basis for the new "American way of life" - highly recommended reading!