Tales of the Argonauts and Other Sketches

By Bret Harte

Book Overview

Tales of the Argonauts and Other Sketches is a collection of short stories written by Bret Harte, an American author and poet. The book is named after the first story in the collection, which tells the tale of the California Gold Rush and the adventures of a group of prospectors known as the Argonauts. The other stories in the collection are also set in California during the same period, and they explore themes of greed, love, and the clash of cultures. Harte's writing is known for its vivid descriptions of the landscape and the people who inhabited it, as well as its humorous and satirical tone.The book also includes several sketches, which are brief character studies or anecdotes that offer insights into life in the Wild West. These sketches are often humorous and affectionate, portraying the quirks and foibles of the people who lived in the region.Overall, Tales of the Argonauts and Other Sketches is a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal period in American history, as well as a showcase for Bret Harte's unique voice and style.1875. Bret Harte's witty, sometimes heart-rending tales of frontier California earned him acclaim during the 1860s as the new prophet of American letters. His books, The Luck of Roaring Camp, The Outcasts of Poker Flat and Mliss, helped establish the foundations of western American fiction. Contents: The Rose of Tuolumne; A Passage in the Life of Mr. John Oakhurst; Wan Lee, the Pagan; How Old Man Plunkett Went Home; The Fool of Five Forks; Baby Sylvester; An Episode of Fiddletown; and A Jersey Centenarian. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1417902280
• ISBN13: 9781417902286
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing
• Length: 292 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"