Customer Reviews

A Treasury of American Folklore

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When I was 12 years old (Summer of 1977), I checked this book from my neighborhood library and was enthralled with the wonderful stories of the Old West (Pecos Bill, Johnny Appleseed, Jesse James, etc.) Ghost tales (The Singing Bones, Mark Twain's classic "Golden Arm," Raw Head and Bloody Bones), African-American Lore (Zora Neale Hurston's stories and the Brer Rabbit Tales) etc. etc.

I wound up memorizing these stories and telling them to the neighborhood kids. That made me quite popular that summer.

Years later, I would tell stories not only to the children in my family but also to schools, churches, nightclubs and other assemblies. I would also write articles on folklore as well as a book of my father's stories.

Recently, I went back to this source and bought my own copy. Just as good as I remember it, with lots of historical background to the over 500 stories and songs that B.A. Botkin lovingly preserved.

I for one am thankful that he did this. Anyone who loves to tell and listen to a good story (which is sadly becoming a lost art) would do well to buy this wonderful book. HOWEVER, parents should be warned that it's not really a kid's book. This book was complied in the less PC days of 1944, so it contains some insensitive language. That aside, go for it.

This is a true treasury of AMERICAN FOLKLORE. The book is described in the FOREWORD by Carl Sandburg as an encyclopedia of the folklore of America. It contains 500 stories and 100 songs (with words & music) - those favorite sotoes we love to tell everywhere all of the time.

I have read this book several times. It is without exception the best example of American folklore I have ever read. I have recommended it to all my reading friends and family. You will not be disappointed with it.