- Hardcover: 304 pages
- Publisher: David R. Godine Publisher; illustrated edition edition (1 Mar 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1567922732
- ISBN-13: 978-1567922738
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 15 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 249,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Song of Hiawatha [with Biographical Introduction]
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Product Description
Product Description
In the summer of 1854, Longfellow wrote in his diary "I have at length hit upon a plan for a poem on the American Indians, which seems to me the right one and the only. It is to weave together their beautiful traditions as whole." What emerged the next year was "The Song of Hiawatha," a composite of legends, folklore, myth, and characters that presents, in short, lilting lines (who can forget "By the shore of Gitche-Gumme / By the shining Big-Sea Water"?) the life-story of a real Indian, who provides the focus for the narrative thread of this epic drama of high adventure, tragedy and conflict.The aim was not to tell a particular or specific story but to unite the strands of various Indian legends, to present a sympathetic portrait of many Native American tribes, and especially to disclose their profound relationship with the natural world. This when both government policies and an expanding, land-hungry population were just beginning their inexorable campaign of displacement and annihilation.The poem received a decidedly mixed reception. Our own "Boston Traveller" revealed its biases: "We cannot help but express our regret that our own pet national poet should not have selected as a theme of his muse something better and higher than the silly legends of the savage aborigines." Despite this, the poem entered into our canon of great narratives, and was revived again in 1891 when Remington, surely the most renowned artist of the West, provided with new pen and ink drawings.This handsome new, and freshly reset, edition (the only unabridged version in print) presents the full text, includes all 400 of the original Remington illustrations, and provides an index of the Indian names and their meanings.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a wonderful poem. I am reading to my nine year old daughter and I cannot explain how spellbinding it is for us both. The explainations I am required to give to explain the text have us communicating to a depth we rarely manage in other day-to-day settings. Like a previous review states, the memories this poem has given us will last forever. If you want to really get in touch with your children, read them this.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Although written in the 1850's The Song of Hiawatha has lost none of it's depth and magic - should be read by children and afdults alike. Enthralling.
Jan Tubbs
Jan Tubbs
30 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I had heard of Hiawatha but never understood the meaning and depth of this great poem. It is a delight to read and share with anyone from the age of 6 upwards. The story deserves to be read and re-read time and time again. It has many truths and hidden meanings that cannot be ignored. I took great pleasure in reading this book to my 9 year old son whilst explaining it's meanings and reminissing of my own experiences. Although this book is primarily for Americans as it is about their history - it is also a good book on which to ponder for us Brits. The memories of this tale will stay with me and my son for ever.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Sopng of Hiawatha
I purchased this volume for my U3A poetry group discussion. It is very good value and, although quite an old edition, if very satisfactory. Very speedy, efficient delivery.
Published 5 months ago by 1C2A3J4M
Cheap and cheerful
It is a thrift edition, and that is obvious. It is not a book you could hand on to the next generation, it simply wouldn't last that long. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Christine Davies
Hiawatha
Many of us have read excerpts from Hiawatha but I wanted to put those excerpts into context. This edition is easy to read, with some explanation of the text. Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2009 by J. A. Springett
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