James Fenimore Cooper
The Last of the Mohicans is the second book in Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales pentalogy, and remains his best-known work. It is a historical novel set in the French and Indian war in New York, and centers around the massacre of surrendered Anglo-American troops. The two daughters of the British commander are kidnapped, but rescued by the last two Mohicans. The title comes from a quote by Tamanend: "I have lived to see the last warrior
...From the author of The Last of the Mohicans comes this classic nautical adventure tale that follows a sea voyage gone horribly awry. When a group of well-born British aristocrats set sail for the United States, they couldn't possibly imagine the mishaps that lie ahead of them when they find themselves coming ashore in Africa.
Renowned American author James Fenimore Cooper had a lifelong fascination with the sea—and a deep appreciation for the brave men who spent their lives traversing it. In the novel Miles Wallingford, the sequel to Cooper's Afloat and Ashore, Cooper focuses on the life story of one remarkable sailor, the Wallingford of the title, who recounts his exploits on the sea as a young man.
Get set for an exhilarating nautical adventure that pits one of the world's most notorious pirates against a ragtag crew of black and white sailors who must overcome their differences and band together for the fight. Although The Red Rover shares the fast pace and detailed plotting of Cooper's more famous books, such as The Last of the Mohicans, it's a more humorous take on the historical novel than many of his other works.
Looking for a stiff dose of seat-of-your-pants wartime action and adventure? Check out The Spy from American literary master James Fenimore Cooper. This extensively researched tale of the Revolutionary War focuses on the exploits of protagonist Harry Birch, who is passionately devoted to the cause of American independence but nonetheless finds himself falsely accused of treason.
Written under the pseudonym "Jane Morgan," the two tales collected in this volume reflect the profound influence that British author Jane Austen had on Cooper's early development as a writer. Geared toward younger audiences, these romances strive to impart important moral lessons.
In what may be a first among maritime action-adventure novels, the vessels at the center of this fast-paced tale from James Fenimore Cooper spend virtually the entirety of the story in harbor off the coast of New York. When a band of rowdy pirates abduct an heiress, her beau gives chase in a thrilling standoff. But when national tensions intervene, the story takes an unexpected turn.
Part of a trilogy of works by the author of The Last of the Mohicans, The Headsman is regarded by many critics to be one of James Fenimore Cooper's most accomplished novels. With the action of the novel divided between the Swiss Alps and a series of sea voyages, The Headsman is a must-read for fans of Cooper's unique brand of adventure fiction.
9) The Lake Gun
In this parable-like short story from American author James Fenimore Cooper, a sage Native American relates the tragic tale of a young upstart named See-wise who bucks tribal tradition and tries to convince his fellow fisherman to flout seasonal restrictions on fishing. For this transgression, he is doomed to an eternal punishment.
10) Home as Found
The sequel to his earlier novel, Homeward Bound, James Fenimore Cooper's Home as Found was inspired by events in the author's own life. After living abroad for a number of years, Cooper and his family returned to the U.S., only to be appalled by what he regarded as a marked devolution in the national character. An in-depth exploration of this decline is the central focus of Home as Found.
11) Precaution
Though he would later rise to prominence as one of the most important American writers of his generation, James Fenimore Cooper's first literary effort was inspired by a wager with his wife, to whom he had offhandedly remarked that he could probably write a more exciting book than the English domestic novels that were the bestsellers of the day. Strongly influenced by Jane Austen, Precaution was initially published under a female pseudonym.
...Regarded by many as the first writer to develop a quintessentially American literary style, James Fenimore Cooper's work is always highly evocative of a particular time, place, and ethos. In The Crater, Fenimore Cooper introduces a supernatural element to a classic action-adventure tale, which makes for a rip-roaring read.
This sensational tale from action-adventure master James Fenimore Cooper takes the form of the life story of a rugged old sailor, Miles Wallingford. As a youth, Miles, his brother, and their slave Neb ran away from the family home to become seamen, dashing the family's hopes that Miles will become a respectable lawyer. Veering wildly from calamities to courageous feats and back again, Afloat and Ashore is one sea tale you won't soon forget.
...The Deerslayer is the last book in Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales pentalogy, but acts as a prequel to the other novels. It begins with the rapid civilizing of New York, in which surrounds the following books take place. It introduces the hero of the Tales, Natty Bumppo, and his philosophy that every living thing should follow its own nature. He is contrasted to other, less conscientious, frontiersmen.
Get set for hijinks on the high seas in this rip-roaring action-adventure tale from American author James Fenimore Cooper. French privateer Raoul Yvard puts his own life at stake in a daring attempt to rescue the father of his beloved, whose execution is close at hand. Will he pull off the courageous feat?
17) Ned Myers
Quebec-born Ned Myers was a fascinating character who knew he was destined for a life on the sea from an early age. Orphaned as a young boy, Myers ran away to New York City at the tender age of 11 to fulfill his dream. On one of his voyages, Myers made the acquaintance of American author James Fenimore Cooper, who was so taken with this salty sea dog that he was compelled to write this full-length biography.
This whaling adventure from beloved American author James Fenimore Cooper works on two levels. On the surface, it's an exciting maritime action-adventure tale recounting the twin voyages of two different ships seeking bounty and treasure in the waters around Antarctica. On a deeper level, it's a thought-provoking allegory about how adverse circumstances can impact people differently based on their character and spirit.
In spite of the fact that he is the author of many quintessentially American novels, including The Last of the Mohicans, James Fenimore Cooper spent a significant portion of his life in France, where he moved his family in the hopes of boosting his writing income. This volume of essays focuses on Cooper's impressions of and experiences in Europe.