Customer Reviews

The Original Knickerbocker: The Life of Washington Irving

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I have read one other biography of Irving, most of Irving's work and have two books of his personal notes and journals, so this is not a subject I am unfamiliar with.

First of all it's nice to see someone trying to resurrect this now forgotten but important figure of American Literature. If Americans know him at all, its through cartoons of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Irving is much more - a great wit and merry soul with, as the author points out, a unique combination of romanticism and healthy realism/skepticism.

While I can't find fault with the author's prose, I did not find it inspiring or lively - something I would expect, no, require from anyone writing about Irving. He seems to 'not get' the charm Irving's character - and here's one example:

He tells the famous story of Irving's Scottish maid introducing George Washington to his six year old namesake, Irving. However, he doesn't add in the famous quip by Irving -that his bald spot was the result of the President laying his divine hand on his head (or something like that). Its little details like that that make the story interesting - and a perfect opportunity to illustrate Irving's character.

Nowhere did he go into Irving's influence on other authors: Irving, I understand, is purported to have suggested the "Rebbecca" character in Ivanhoe to Sir Walter Scott, based on an actual Jewish woman he knew or had heard of in Philadelphia. Also, Dicken's admiration of Irving and the fact that Irving's brother was named Ebeneezer should provide a 'connect the dots' for somebody on the ball. [...].

Another glaring omission: Irving's contemplation of pursuing a career as an artist - and the sketches that often accompany his journals.

The Burstein's sometime PC/modern sensibilities were annoying but mercifully few and far between. But he either has a bias or simply didn't do the research into Irving's religious background. While not 'fanatic' or even overtly spiritual - he did convert to Episcopaliansim in secret at trinity church when still a teenager, and later in life served as a vestryman at the Episcopal church in Tarrytown where his personal affects are still on display - how could someone writing a book on Irving not know this? one gets the sense that Burstein never even visited Tarrytown/Sunnyside though I am sure he did. Burnstein doesn't hesitate to go into Irving's condemnation of religious fanaticism and dislike of his father's stern Presbyterianism, so I can only guess that he as an active bias, or he's very sloppy.

I also thought the sections on his stay at the Alhambra and Spain was too short and lacking any vitality. I have stood in the chambers at the Alhambra that Irving was purported to stay in, walked the grounds that so enchanted him and have to say, after doing that, reading Irving's book Tales of the Alhambra, I wonder if Burstien and I are talking about the same place and writer. It's a crime to be mundane about either!

Still overall, I would say the book is worth reading because it's the only contemporary source of consolidated information on Irving (I believe that the last biography was over 40 years ago) however, Burstein does not provide enough of an argument, or 'tools' to justify a long overdue Irving revival. At the end of the day, despite digging his nose into Irving's works and life for some time, Burstein just 'doesn't get it'.

(ps, I would rate two stars, but you can't adjust after submitting)

This is a unique book that blends literary analysis, history, and biography of the life of one of American literature's legendary authors, Washington Irving. Andrew Burstein examines a bulk of Irving's most renowned works, the picaresque The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Rip Van Winkle, A History of New York, and Life and Voyages of Columbus as well as several other short stories that have graced the pages of literature anthologies. But Irving was also a man of many facets as the subtitle of the book reveals, a diplomat, historian, and writer who hobnobbed with creative imagination as it related to the colonial and revolutionary historical past.

The only disconcerting aspect of the book is how Burstein excessively delves into the crevices of Irving's works within the first two sections. And as a result, one may almost forget what the book is about or wonder if the book is supposed to be about Irving or more about the synopsis of his stories; the passages may be helpful for readers not familiar with his works. However, interesting questions arise pertaining to Irving's own personal life outside his writings, such as his religious conversion and beliefs, the issue of slavery in Britain and America, the mysticism surrounding Matilda Hoffman and his sexuality, why did he live a transatlantic life, his romance with Spain, and his use of pseudonyms, Geoffrey, Crayon, Diedrich Knickerbocker and Jonathan Oldstyle, that are in need of further explanation.

Nonetheless, the insightful part about the book is when Burstein discusses the man who used pseudonyms during the early part of his writing career but later shed the anonymity with the publication of his biography about Christopher Columbus. And most importantly, Irving was one of the most animated travel writers who trekked west with Henry Ellsworth, son of Federalist delegate to the Constitutional Convention, Oliver Ellsworth, during one of the most historic events in American history that involved Indian territory west of the Mississippi River, which involved Indian Removal, Ellsworth-Irving Expedition. Irving vividly described and witnessed the changing American landscape within his stories that compared and paralleled the history of Indian America and White America, which Burstein discusses in the chapter, "A Tour on the Prairies." It was amazing to read of the various people Irving encountered and befriended during his lifetime, such as Sac Tribe Chief, Black Hawk, Andrew Jackson, James Fenimore Cooper, Lord Byron, Charles Dickens, and long list of others.

Overall, The Original Knickerbocker is an enlightening read. The book may appeal to those who are familiar with Washington Irving's most beloved tales and would like to know about the man behind the stories as well as those who are simply curious about this multifaceted man who was indeed a part of the landscape in which he wrote about.

This biography is readable, scholarly, and often engrossing. The author skillfully blends story with literary analysis. During the first third of the book I found my interest at times waning, but it was well worth "staying with it" because the story became more engaging as Irving matured as a human being and as a writer.

Two of Burstein's most significant skills are his ability to summarize and his facility in giving insights into Irving's numerous works, while at the same time maintaining the flow of an interesting life-story. The first example is from Burstein's summary of The Legend of Sleepy Hallow and the second from his commentary on the Sketch Book:

"Despite his [Ichabod Crane's] fears, he cannot resist staying into the night with the women he instructs in psalmody. For among them is one Katrina Van Tassel, the somewhat coquettish daughter of the self-sufficient, ordinarily undemonstrative but altogether thriving Baltus Van Tassel, who relishes his "snug" life "on the banks of the Hudson, in one of those green, sheltered, fertile nooks, in which the Dutch farmers are so found of nestling."

"Yet much of what he wrote was also a lamentation. He fixated on the intertwined subjects of death and memory. We may say without exaggeration that the bachelor Irving knew loneliness and feared darkness. He reveled in the company of others, which he knew brought him back and animated him. In the Sketch Book, he wrote THROUGH death and wrote OF awakenings."

I would particularly recommend this book for anyone interested in becoming a writer. The book itself is an excellent example of fine non-fiction writing, and the many direct quotes given from Irving's prolific production of both fiction and non-fiction works are instructive.

Here, for example, is what Irving wrote in his biography of Oliver Goldsmith: "There are few writers for whom the reader feels such personal kindness as for Oliver Goldsmith. We read his character in every page, and grow into familiar intimacy with him as we read."

Irving admired Goldsmith because of his "artless benevolence" and "whimsical, yet amiable views of life." Burstein writes, "It was, for Irving, a matter of seeing literature as a communion of author and reader."

Finally, I recommend buying a copy of the hardcover edition. The dust cover containing the opening of The Legend of Sleepy Hallow is impressive.

Washington Irving is increasingly becoming one of those writers who is recognized as important--but is not read. He is increasingly been run out of the American cannon. "The Original Knickerbocker" by Andrew Burnstein is not bad as the English 101 introduction but already established Irving fans will do better to look elsewhere. Burnstein had a tough assignment--especially considering the book has, when notes and acknowledgments are not counted, less than 350 pages of narrative. Many famous Americans and Europeans of the era come in Irving's life and move on. Irving travels around the globe and stands on many stages--politics, literature, culture. Burstein offers details of some of the more important works from Irving and this takes away from the biographical narrative. To his credit, Burstein offers excellent snapshots of Irving's diverse writings--early satirical works, the fiction and sketches of the middle of Irving's career (I think Burstein may be a bit harsh on "Bracebridge Hall") as well as the histories and biographies that Irving wrote at the end of his career. Large parts of Irving's career and works are glossed over--his time in Spain for example and some of his books only earn a paragraph of attention (including "Voyages and Discoveries of the Companions of Columbus"). I can not say there is much here to earn the subtitle "The Life of Washington Irving." This is probably not the book for readers, what few of us there are now alas, who are Irving fans, aficionados or scholars. But this is a fine introduction to Irving and his works to readers unfamiliar with this jewel of an American writer who is increasingly gathering dust.

This, the most significant biographical treatment of Irving in decades, is both satisfying and disappointing. Burstein makes several arguments in this book in an effort to reclaim Irving as a cultural icon rather than a literary one. To do so, he gives ample context, including politics, economics, and developing urban landscapes. The result is mind-numbing; so much context sometimes leads us to forget that the book is about Irving. Additionally, he adds heavy doses of literary analysis, despite his apparent goal to treat Irving as a cultural rather than literary icon. Much of his analysis goes back to a theme of dreams or sleepiness - but not all - akin to Irving's "Rip Van Winkle." The book's ultimate chapter focuses heavily on this dream analysis, despite having come only in minor (and eye-roll-inducing) spurts throughout. In fact, much of that final chapter is a throw-away on modern/contemporary culture sprinkled with long leaps connecting movies like "Memento" to "Rip Van Winkle."

The book is a difficult read as well; so many names are dropped then recalled scores of pages later, including Irving's ever-widening circle of extended family and friends. This of course isn't Burstein's fault; Irving really was that popular. The book also has a bit of an awkward self-awareness. The reader is directly addressed here and there ("The reader here will note..." interludes) as if the narrative voice was breaking the fifth wall.

Overall, this is book is worthwhile reading, so long as the reader is patient and has a strong interest in cultural context and literary analysis. Irving, Burstein admits, may not be the most important of American writers - his genteel sensibilities hamper that idea - but his role in the rapidly-changing cultural landscape of the United States (and its view from abroad) is clearly brought to light.

I found this book moderately interesting. While I tend to agree with some of the other reviewers that Burstein spends too much time analyzing specific works by Irving, overall the book provides a lot of information about the times in which he lived and his relationships with other writers and with significant political figures. One interesting point is Burstein's feeling that Aaron Burr has been unfairly maligned. Irving seems to have known just about everybody and to have been almost universally liked. A good man and a good writer whose works, at least at the present, don't seem to have stood the test of time.

This book is dissapointing, at least in Irving's Spanish years. It seems a summary for the school. Burstein doesn't achieve to introduce the reader in the events of Irving's life. The author just say with few words which others tell in great detail. Due to lack of space? The answer is NO, because he fills pages with unnecessary themes from some Irving's books (Colon, Boabdil,...) or general culture. His luck in biographics elements is that all known Irving's letters and journals are already published. The lack of effort of this work serves to value better the thorough investigation of S.T. Williams (1935). Burstein's book is sold as an Irving's biography made by an historian ("at last"), but he seems a mere reviewer, in the era of copy/paste.

Any public library strong in biography or school library strong in literature surrounding Washington Irving will find THE ORIGINAL KNICKERBOCKER a 'must have' acquisition: Irving was author, ambassador and an international icon whose legacy lasts into today and set many trends beyond his literary legacy. THE ORIGINAL KNICKERBOCKER traces all his achievements, adding background history of his times to help emphasize his life and importance. It's a lively yet scholarly presentation perfect for all kinds of collections.

A solid journeyman biography but nothing new and omitted some of Irvings that readers might find interesting such as his life in in NYC and his activity on the Bowery in his early life. Irving was the first American author to earn his living by writing alone. His first work "The History of New York" became his big earner as he revised and printed new editions through his life. The work that he is most remembered for "The Legend of Sleppy Hallow" was writen and published while he was in Europe as part of a folio.

Irving compaired to many if not most writers of his time lead a rather dull and uneventful life. A cliff handing biography of washington Irving would be a challenge for any biographer so we can't fault Mr. Burstein for a rather unexciting story of one of Americas early writers. The biggist event in his life was the none event of his marriage.