Letters From An American Farmer

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.

"Early in the twentieth century, drawing upon the hundreds of letters written to his father by immigrants from Mecklenburg, Germany, Johannes Gillhoff created the archetypal character of Jürnjakob Swehn: the upright, honest mench who personified the German immigrant. This farmer-hero--planting and harvesting his Iowa acres, joking with his neighbors during the snowy winters, building a church with his own hands--proved so popular with the German public that a million copies of Jürnjakob Swehn der Amerikafahrer are in print. Now for the first time this wise and endearing book is available in English." -- Page [4] cover.

Consummate narrative essays made Crevecoeur a celebrated writer in America. In the epistles he has rendered an ideal American society with egalitarianism and free-will. Remarkable for the beauty of style in depiction of American navet and simple standard of living, it shows the approval of the religious multiplicity created by ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Fascinating!

Before storms that can destroy his crops in an instant, the farmer stands implacable. To fluctuations in temperature that can deprive his children of their future, the farmer pays no heed. Every day the elements remind him that his future is secure only through constant effort. Like the creepers and crawlers he seeks to eradicate, the farmer toils away in the lush anonymity of his grid of vines, his tradition one of impervious resolve.

This is a new release of the original 1925 edition.

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.