Describes the typical adventures of a mid-nineteenth-century boy from his third to eleventh years.

In this series, William Dean Howells delightfully describes the early years of his life, in the "Boy's Town" of Ohio, the state where he was born and raised. These stories remain as a vivid autobiographical records and colorful images of a life in the mid-nineteenth century American town. Extract: "If there was any fellow in the Boy's Town fifty years ago who had a good reason to run off it was Pony Baker. Pony was not his real name; it was what the boys called him, because there were so many fellows who had to be told apart, as Big Joe and Little Joe, and Big John and Little John, and Big Bill and Little Bill, that they got tired of telling boys apart that way; and after one of the boys called him Pony Baker, so that you could know him from his cousin Frank Baker, nobody ever called him anything else." William Dean Howells (1837-1920) was an American realist author, literary critic, and playwright. Nicknamed "The Dean of American Letters", he was particularly known for his tenure as editor of the Atlantic Monthly as well as his own prolific writings, including the Christmas story "Christmas Every Day", and the novels The Rise of Silas Lapham and A Traveler from Altruria. Howells is known to be the father of American realism, and a denouncer of the sentimental novel. He was the first American author to bring a realist aesthetic to the literature of the United States. His stories of Boston upper crust life set in the 1850s are highly regarded among scholars of American fiction.

Rich in history and drama, Dog Tales entertains, enlightens, and inspires dog owners and dog lovers. These are enduring stories that have passed the test of time and have attracted generations of readers. Emerging from the prose in these pages are gallant dogs, facing incredible dangers and tasks. Loyal and affectionate dogs, unforgettable in the memories of the owners who shared their lives. These stories have been carefully selected for the imaginative reader who loves dogs—the people who agree with Will Rogers that, “If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”

Reproduction of the original: A Boy's Town by William Dean Howells

Dogs serve us, adore us, entertain us, work for and with us, but most of all they warm our hearts. An homage to our canine companions, Great American Dog Stories presents a collection of enduring tales penned by an impressive array of authors. These are stories to laugh, weep, and shake your head over, knowing that the nature of dogs (and their human friends) has not altered in all the years since these stories were first written. Exemplars of unconditional love, dogs offer companionship without complaint and loyalty without a price. Whether these stories make you laugh or cry, they will also make you appreciate our most loyal friends. Great American Dog Stories is a rich treasury, filled with tales of unforgettable dogs, that will make a perfect gift for any dog lover. With contributions from O. Henry • Jack London • Stephen Crane • Bret Harte • and many others.