Legacy books in colonial America were instruments for the transmission of cultural values between generations: the dying mother (usually) instructing and advising children on the path to salvation and heavenly reunions. They were a popular and influential form of women's discourse that distilled the ideologies of the religious establishment into practical and emotional lessons for lay persons, especially the young. This collection draws together legacy texts written by colonial American women and girls: five mother's legacy books and two legacies by children, organized here chronologically. These legacies were written in anticipation of dying, making awareness of death central to the texts. All are highly personal, revealing the thought processes and emotive patterns of their authors, and all are meant for the comfort and instruction of the loved ones these dying women and girls were leaving behind. Published between 1664 and 1792, these texts provide insight into early New England culture through to the first years of the republic. Included are: Anne Bradstreet, To My Dear Children (1664) Susanna Bell, The Legacy of a Dying Mother to Her Mourning Children (1673) Sarah Goodhue, The Copy of a Valedictory and Monitory Writing (1681) Grace Smith, The Dying Mother's Legacy (1712) Sarah Demick, Memoirs of the Life of Mrs. Sarah Demick (1792) Hannah Hill, A Legacy for Children (1714) Jane Sumner, Warning to Little Children (1792) Benjamin Colman, A Devout Contemplation on ... the Early Death of Pious & Lovely Children (1714) A Late Letter from a Solicitous Mother To Her Only Son (1746) Memoirs of Eliza Thornton (1821)

Quixotic Fictions of the USA 1792-1815 explores the conflicted and conflicting interpretations of Don Quixote available to and deployed by disenchanted writers of America's new republic. It argues that the legacy of Don Quixote provided an ambiguous cultural icon and ironic narrative stance that enabled authors to critique with impunity the ideological fictions shoring up their fractured republic. Close readings of works such as Modern Chivalry, Female Quixotism, and The Algerine Captive reveal that the fiction from this period repeatedly engaged with Cervantes's narrative in order to test competing interpretations of republicanism, to interrogate the new republic's multivalent crises of authority, and to question both the possibility and the desirability of an isolationist USA and an autonomous 'American' literature. Sarah Wood's study is the first book-length publication to examine the role of Don Quixote in early American literature. Exploring the extent to which the literary culture of North America was shaped by a diverse range of influences, it addresses an issue of growing concern to scholars of American history and literature. Quixotic Fictions reaffirms the global reach of Cervantes's influence and explores the complex, contradictory ways in which Don Quixote helped shape American fiction at a formative moment in its development.

A record of literary properties sold at auction in the United States.

Embark on a captivating journey through the literary landscapes of English and American history with Henry A. Beers' illuminating work, "Brief History Of English And American Literature." Explore the evolution of literary traditions and the profound impact of cultural and historical influences on the development of literature. But what if the stories of the past hold the key to understanding our present and shaping our future? Prepare to be enlightened as Beers traces the threads of continuity and change that weave through centuries of literary expression. Follow along as Beers navigates through the works of Shakespeare, Milton, Hawthorne, Twain, and countless others, offering insights into their lives, their times, and their enduring legacies. "Brief History Of English And American Literature" is a testament to the enduring power of the written word. Yet, amidst the exploration of literary milestones and masterpieces, a fundamental question emerges: What defines a literary tradition, and how do we reconcile its complexities with our contemporary understanding of literature? Prepare to ponder this question as Beers invites you to engage with the rich tapestry of literary history. Are you ready to embark on a journey through the annals of literary greatness? Prepare to be inspired by the stories and insights that await within the pages of "Brief History Of English And American Literature." Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of human experience and imagination as you journey through the centuries of literary achievement. "Brief History Of English And American Literature" is more than just a book; it's a celebration of the human capacity for creativity and expression. Don't miss your chance to explore the vast landscape of English and American literature. Order your copy of "Brief History Of English And American Literature" today and embark on a journey of discovery and enlightenment. Prepare to be enriched by the insights and revelations found within the pages of "Brief History Of English And American Literature." Are you ready to delve into the heart of literary tradition?

"The creation of the United States of America is the greatest of all human adventures," begins Paul Johnson's remarkable new American history. "No other national story holds such tremendous lessons, for the American people themselves and for the rest of mankind." Johnson's history is a reinterpretation of American history from the first settlements to the Clinton administration. It covers every aspect of U.S. history--politics; business and economics; art, literature and science; society and customs; complex traditions and religious beliefs. The story is told in terms of the men and women who shaped and led the nation and the ordinary people who collectively created its unique character. Wherever possible, letters, diaries, and recorded conversations are used to ensure a sense of actuality. "The book has new and often trenchant things to say about every aspect and period of America's past," says Johnson, "and I do not seek, as some historians do, to conceal my opinions." Johnson's history presents John Winthrop, Roger Williams, Anne Hutchinson, Cotton Mather, Franklin, Tom Paine, Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Hamilton, and Madison from a fresh perspective. It emphasizes the role of religion in American history and how early America was linked to England's history and culture and includes incisive portraits of Andrew Jackson, Chief Justice Marshall, Clay, Lincoln, and Jefferson Davis. Johnson shows how Grover Cleveland and Teddy Roosevelt ushered in the age of big business and industry and how Woodrow Wilson revolutionized the government's role. He offers new views of Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover and of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal and his role as commander in chief during World War II. An examination of the unforeseen greatness of Harry Truman and reassessments of Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Reagan, and Bush follow. "Compulsively readable," said Foreign Affairs of Johnson's unique narrative skills and sharp profiles of people. This is an in-depth portrait of a great people, from their fragile origins through their struggles for independence and nationhood, their heroic efforts and sacrifices to deal with the `organic sin' of slavery and the preservation of the Union to its explosive economic growth and emergence as a world power and its sole superpower. Johnson discusses such contemporary topics as the politics of racism, education, Vietnam, the power of the press, political correctness, the growth of litigation, and the rising influence of women. He sees Americans as a problem-solving people and the story of America as "essentially one of difficulties being overcome by intelligence and skill, by faith and strength of purpose, by courage and persistence...Looking back on its past, and forward to its future, the auguries are that it will not disappoint humanity." This challenging narrative and interpretation of American history by the author of many distinguished historical works is sometimes controversial and always provocative. Johnson's views of individuals, events, themes, and issues are original, critical, and admiring, for he is, above all, a strong believer in the history and the destiny of the American people.