Classic American literature
346837
This is a layered, textured tone poem capturing the essence of a time and place.
3358398
Truly MUST-HAVE American literature. Puts a whole lot into clearer, truthful and more realistic perspective. Very suitable reading for everyone, regardless of ethnicity or cultural origin.
3134622
This is a good classic book, but it's a start and a gateway into all classic literature--and so I wouldn't reccomend it to people who are expecting something extreemely novel or new.
3632155
Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett are exceptional authors - their subject matter absolutely incredible but written so well as to be credible.  Rich characters, perfect sense of mystery and wild story telling.  True american classics.
430659
I'm a firm believer in the Library of America collections, and I have a number of their volumes. This one is quite well-done, and it manages to pack 4 of Mark Twain's best-known books into one volume. Pretty much essential reading for anyone interested in American culture or even history, and classics, of course. Highly recommended.
2219805
this is great piece of american literature that is too often overlooked.  i've read that 'the lady or the tiger' was the birth of the mystery novel - i'm not sure if that's true, but does take an analytical look at human nature that's far ahead of its time (even though it's a bit 'flat' by today's standards).  i find the sequel, 'the discourager of hesitantcy' even more interesting with a much more structured narrative.
3914930
This is still the Great American Novel. Its exciting drama, adventure, pugnancy and  humour (yes, its character Ishmael, who relates in the first person, is a first rate humorist) makes reading it a total pleasure. Everybody has heard about this classic novel, but if you haven't read it is both a shame and you are loosing a first-rate reading experience. (And this public-domain Kindle edition is quite correct in every sense). The Great Whale is a great whale of a novel!
1371322
Love these short stories, they are classics and a must read for all ages....
 plus, they have been reading material for literature classes at college
4380806
American Primitive is a collection of fifty poems. It is classic Mary Oliver  it has mostly poems on nature  on animals, plants, trees, the sky, the sea and other beautiful things.

In a typical Mary Oliver poem  if there is any such thing  there is a heroine who comes out of the forest, or who is taking a stroll, sometimes with her partner or lover and sometimes with her child and sometimes she spots our poet looking at her and then we realize that our heroine is not human, but she is a deer, or a coyote or a bear or a duck or sometimes even a grasshopper or a damsel-fly and in rare cases even a ray of moonlight (Yet over the bed of each of us moonlight throws down her long hair). In some poems we don't know who the heroine is  we just read about what she does.

Some of the poems are epic (epic = more than a page long)  the story starts slowly and then there are sparklers and fireworks and then it fades away gently in the end like the coda of a beautiful, melodious song. One of my favourite poems from the book which was like this was Humpbacks.

In one poem called John Clapman there was an interesting character who made me remember the character called Tom Bombadil from The Lord of the Rings  everywhere he went the apple trees sprang up behind him lovely as young girls.

All in all, it is a great read. Highly recommend.
4147283
I haven't read much yet but I LOVE the BOOK !!! It's an amazing American Classic ! I LOVVEE ITTT !!!
678962
This is a classic. I read it in high school, now again 40 years later with more understanding and appreciation for a timeless piece of literary marvel and creativity.
2901522
A classic and a must read to better understand the plight of people displaced in the United States during the Great Depression. Steinbeck is on of the great American writers.
4825365
This is a classic book.
I read it first many years ago and look forward to reading it again.
3932771
A classic novel, not so much one you read to love as to understand the time. Each word is chosen with care, The novel itself is short, a very tight read that requires your full attention. People who read the Cliff's Notes are missing out on the beautiful details of this classic of American literature.
1369947
According to the great American novelist Mark Twain a classic is defined as, A book which people praise and don't read. However, Os Guinness an author and senior member of the Trinity Forum along with Louise Cowman, author and a professor of literature at the University of Dallas present a clear and concise articulation refuting Twains famous quote in their book, Invitation to the Classics.
Invitation to the Classics serves two purposes:
1. To introduce the Western literary masterworks in a clear and simple style, while reawakening Western people to the vibrant literary heritage and its relationship to the Christian faith.
2. To inspire Christians to see the worth of the classics and their responsibility to them.
This literary guide is divided into four components: Introduction: The Purpose of Invitation to the Classics, The Importance of the Classics, and The Classics are not the Canon. From there the authors explore seventy-eight of the best known classics of Western Civilization from Homers Iliad and the Odyssey to Contemporary Writers. Each classic gives you information on the author, information on the historical time period in which the classic was authored, major themes within the classic, issues to explore and resources for further study.
Invitation to the Classics is an excellent resource for individuals who are beginning their study of the classics for the first time or those who are revisiting them again like a long lost friend.
As C.S. Lewis once said, We all, therefore, need the books that will correct the characteristic mistakes of our own period, And that means the old booksThe only palliative is to keep the clean sea breeze of the centuries blowing through our minds, and this can be done only be reading the old books.
1489864
You can never go wrong with a Literature Classic, but do be prepared to struggle if you do not have at least a college level reading skill.  Classic do not became classic just because the words (and phrasing) are easy to understand!
7744
A great american classic this is a book to study there are so many hidden adventures behind each chapter and so much of our countries values presented.  If you have ever read the book read it again but this time, think about it look for all the meaning you will be amazed.