Song of Hiawatha

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, Henry Bernard Cotterill

Book Overview

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 trochees (who can forget "By the shore of Gitche Gumme / By the shining Big-Sea-Water"?),...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0517001977
• ISBN13: 9780517001974
• Release Date: October 1993
• Publisher: Gramercy Books
• Length: 242 Pages
• Weight: 1.29 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Very good Poem.

This is a beautiful poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It's somewhat long but it's worth it. You'll remember lines from it and want to listen again.

Not what I expected

I searched for Longfellow’s Hiawatha. While looking at one of the options a notice came up that a first edition was available. I decided to order it. It arrived today and it is NOT Hiawatha but rather a play based on Hiawatha. I can’t prove now that what I originally put in my basket was Longfellow’s Hiawatha but I’m extremely disappointed.

Celebrates Native American culture and the beauty of nature...

This is a nice book on so many levels. It features beautiful artwork and the rythmic poetry of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; and tells the story of Hiawatha's childhood with his wise grandmother Nokomis and all the plants and animals of the forest. It's a bedtime favorite of my little boy and me. It's also a good way to spark interest in the Native American culture and the beauty of nature.

Longfellow's saga is pure New England Renaissance.

Although very popular in its day; Longfellow's "Song of Hiawatha" was later viewed to be superficial and saccharine. Where as Walt Whitman may have spoken with more of an organic American voice, Longfellow drew upon English Romantic models and looked to Norse and especially the Finnish epic or "edda" "Kalevala" for inspiration. Not with standing; Longfellow's saga is pure New England Renaissance; touching upon values and aesthetics characteristic of Longfellow's circle: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Emerson and Thoreau. The nature-painting of the "Song of Hiawatha" is outstanding; the poetry is full of quotables; and the over-arching message is profound.

Always a joy! To be savored over and over!

Hiawatha is a beautiful, richly detailed poem of Native Americans before the treahery of the white man overwhelmed their way of life. Susan Jeffers took each verse and created a breathtaking, artist's view of the young Hiawatha. Each verse becomes vibrantly alive with her delicate rendiions."By the shores of ..." and Nokomis fill the readers souls with new images because of the renderings made by the talented Susan Jeffers.

A childhood classic comes alive

I have this poem memorized because my father recited it to me so many times as a child. This illustrated version has beautiful pictures that capture the fact that this is the story of child and embody the lyric quality of Longfellows poem.

This is a great campfire book that really makes you think.

"The Song of Hiawatha" is the best book I have ever been exposed to. Every time I hear the wonderful rhyme of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, I begin to think of what this land was like before the Europeans conquered it. It is a wonderful tale of peace between nations and a great book to read to children.