Captivating tales from America's first popular author transport readers back to the Dutch communities of the Hudson Valley: "Rip Van Winkle," "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," "The Spectre Bridegroom," and "Mountjoy."

Author, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat, Washington Irving (1783-1859) is best known as the creator of "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." One of America's first bestselling writers to achieve international acclaim, Irving served as U. S. Ambassador to Spain from 1842-46.