The Spy

by James Fenimore Cooper

Overview

The Spy: a Tale of the Neutral Ground was James Fenimore Cooper's second novel, published in 1821. This was the earliest United States novel to win wide and permanent fame and may be said to have begun the type of romance which dominated U.S. fiction for 30 years. (Excerpt from Wikipedia)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783958645172
Publisher:	Otbebookpublishing
Publication date:	09/18/2016
Series:	The World At War
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	410
File size:	708 KB

About the Author

James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) stands as a towering figure in American literature, often hailed as the nation's first major novelist. Born in Burlington, New Jersey, and raised in the frontier town of Cooperstown, New York, Cooper's early life was steeped in the rugged landscapes and pioneering spirit that would later permeate his works. A Yale dropout turned sailor, Cooper's maritime experiences deeply influenced his storytelling.Cooper's literary career began almost by accident; he reportedly claimed he could write a better novel than the one he was reading, leading to his debut, "Precaution," in 1820. However, it was "The Spy" (1821) and "The Pioneers" (1823) that catapulted him to fame. His most enduring legacy lies in the "Leatherstocking Tales," featuring the iconic frontiersman Natty Bumppo, which includes "The Last of the Mohicans" (1826), a staple in American literary canon.A pioneer in the historical novel genre, Cooper's works are celebrated for their vivid depictions of frontier life and complex portrayals of Native American characters, though modern readers often critique his romanticized and sometimes stereotypical representations. His influence extended to contemporaries and successors alike, including Herman Melville and Mark Twain, the latter of whom famously parodied Cooper's style.Cooper was no stranger to controversy; his outspoken political views and critiques of American society often put him at odds with the public and critics. He championed environmental conservation and was an early advocate for preserving America's wilderness, a revolutionary idea in his time.James Fenimore Cooper's blend of adventure, social commentary, and pioneering spirit continues to captivate readers, securing his place as a foundational figure in American literature.
James Fenimore Cooper (September 15, 1789 – September 14, 1851) was an American writer of the first half of the 19th century. His historical romances draw a picture of frontier and American Indian life in the early American days which created a unique form of American literature. (Wikipedia)

Date of Birth:

September 15, 1789

Date of Death:

September 14, 1851

Place of Birth:

Burlington, New Jersey

Place of Death:

Cooperstown, New York

Education:

Yale University (expelled in 1805)

Table of Contents

	Acknowledgments	ix
	Historical Introduction	xiii
	To James Aitchison [1821]	1
	Preface [1821]	2
	Preface to the Second Edition [1822]	6
	To James Aitchison [1822]	8
	Preface to the Third Edition [1822]	9
	Introduction [1831]	12
	Introduction [1849]	17
	The Spy	22
	Explanatory Notes	425
	Textual Commentary	435
	Textual Notes	458
	Emendations	460
	Rejected Readings	546
	Word-Division	550