Washington Irving

Set in the Hudson Valley in New York State in 1790, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow tells the story of Ichabod Crane, a schoolteacher who is wooing the daughter of a local wealthy farmer. Superstitious and gullible, Crane is a believer in the many supernatural tales circulating in the Dutch community who settled there. Late one autumn night, as he rides home having lost out to a rival suitor, he encounters his worst fear: the headless horseman, thought to be the ghost of a decapitated soldier from the Revolutionary War… This edition, beautifully illustrated by Arthur Rackham and introduced by Jonathan Kruk, The Legend storyteller, reproduces Irving’s original tale. First published in 1820, it became the inspiration for many adaptations ranging from silent film, animation and blockbuster movies to musicals and graphic novels. It is now inextricably associated with Halloween.

What if a ghostly rider without a head haunted your every step? In The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Washington Irving weaves one of America's most enduring ghost stories-a chilling blend of romance, folklore, and supernatural suspense that has captivated imaginations for over two centuries. Set in a secluded glen where mystery clings to every tree branch and tales of the otherworld echo through candlelit gatherings, Ichabod Crane is the superstitious and bookish outsider who believes every ghost story he hears. When he begins courting the wealthy and flirtatious Katrina Van Tassel, he not only invites jealousy but awakens the wrath of a phantom that stalks the darkened roads: the infamous Headless Horseman. This masterful tale explores the fine line between reality and myth, and whether our greatest fears are conjured by shadowy forces-or by our own minds. What You'll Discover in This Modern Translation: The Rise and Fall of Ichabod Crane - A man's ambition collides with folklore in a tale of pride and punishment A Timeless Tale of Terror - Follow the legend of the Headless Horseman through the fog-shrouded woods of Sleepy Hollow Psychological Suspense and Superstition - Examine how belief in the supernatural can shape fate and undo reason Atmospheric Americana - A vivid portrait of early American life, from pumpkin patches to eerie midnight rides The Power of Storytelling - Discover how myths become truth in the minds of fearful people A compelling modern rendering of Irving's most famous work, this edition invites readers into a haunted past where legends ride by moonlight and the faintest hoofbeat may signal your doom.

This perfectly spooky volume collects some of the most well-known Washington Irving tales originally published in the early to mid-19th century for a new generation of young readers—featuring a freshly reimagined cover!“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is a ghost story of enduring popularity. In it, lovelorn schoolteacher Ichabod Crane tries to woo local heiress Katrina Van Tassel, only to draw the ire of another of her suitors—Abraham “Brom Bones” Van Brunt—who makes Ichabod the target of practical jokes. One night, at a party, Brom relays the tale of the Headless Horseman, a warrior decapitated by a cannonball who rises from his grave in their own town of Sleepy Hollow nightly to search for his missing head. When Ichabod leaves the party, he’s pursued by a cloaked rider. Could this be the Horseman…and can Ichabod escape him? “Rip Van Winkle” tells the tale of man living in colonial America who falls asleep for twenty years, waking to find his small town in the Catskill Mountains much changed. These and many other tales are included in this classic collection by Washington Irving.