America’s physical and cultural landscape is captured in these two classics of American history. Letters provides an invaluable view of the pre-Revolutionary and Revolutionary eras; Sketches details in vivid prose the physical setting in which American settlers created their history. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Crevecoeur's Books Outline The Steps Through Which New Immigrants Passed, Analyze The Religious Problems Of The New World, Describe The Life Of The Whalers Of Nantucket, Reveal Much About The Indians And The Horrors Of The Revolution, And Present The Colonial Farmer - His Psychology And His Daily Existence. His Charming Style, Keen Eye, And Simple Philosophy Are Universally Admired.

First published in England in 1782, Crevecoeur's Letters from an American Farmer was one of the first works to describe the character of the average American at the close of the Revolutionary War. His famous question, 'ÄúWhat, then, is the American, this new man?'Äù, summarized the European's interest in and questioning of the new country of America at a time when centuries of tradition had just been overturned and post-colonial Americans were attempting to describe themselves in a new way. Through the character of James, the letters celebrate the land of America, its space and fertility, and the character of Americans themselves, their work ethic and spirit of personal determination. The Letters also look at the darker side of American life, particularly the issue of slavery. The discussions of American identity, participation in war (or not), and the perception of immigrants and their ethnicity make this book as relevant to our understanding of ourselves today as it was in 1782.

Published in London just as the idea of an “American” was becoming a reality, Letters introduced Europeans to America’s landscape, customs, and then-new people. Moore’s reader’s edition situates these twelve letters, which shift from hope to disillusion, in the context of thirteen other essays representative of Crèvecoeur’s writings in English.

Letters From an American Farmer by J. Hector St. John de Crèvecœur: In this epistolary collection, J. Hector St. John de Crèvecœur offers a series of letters that provide a unique perspective on early American life and culture. Written in the form of fictional letters from an American farmer to a European audience, the book explores themes of immigration, the American landscape, and the complexities of identity in a diverse and evolving nation. With vivid descriptions and insightful reflections, the letters capture the essence of the American experience during the 18th century. Key Aspects of the Book "Letters From an American Farmer": Immigrant Experience: The book provides insights into the lives and experiences of immigrants in America during the 18th century. Nature and Identity: The letters reflect on the relationship between the American landscape and individual identity, exploring the notion of the "American dream." Cultural Diversity: Readers encounter observations about the cultural diversity and social fabric of early America. J. Hector St. John de Crèvecœur was a French-American writer and naturalist born in 1735. He immigrated to America in his youth and settled in New York, where he became a farmer and writer. Through "Letters From an American Farmer," he provided European readers with a glimpse into the American way of life, contributing to a better understanding of the complexities and aspirations of the emerging nation.