Cape Cod, one of the nation's oldest regions, can claim many firsts, but not as many as some want you to believe. Boastfulness, tall tales and plain stretching the truth about history is widely practiced in this tourist mecca. Even esteemed institutions such as churches and historical societies are nimble in the art of gilding the lily. Discover where The Wizard of Oz film really premiered, whether Mercy Otis Warren had a hand in writing the Bill of Rights and who invented the hole in the doughnut. Along the way, you'll find out where the country's oldest Congregational meetinghouse is located, and whether "Mad Jack" was a thieving scoundrel. Local author and historian James Ellis separates fact from fiction.

Cape Cod, one of the nation's oldest regions, can claim many firsts, but not as many as some want you to believe. Boastfulness, tall tales and plain stretching the truth about history is widely practiced in this tourist mecca. Even esteemed institutions such as churches and historical societies are nimble in the art of gilding the lily. Discover where The Wizard of Oz film really premiered, whether Mercy Otis Warren had a hand in writing the Bill of Rights and who invented the hole in the doughnut. Along the way, you'll find out where the country's oldest Congregational meetinghouse is located, and whether "Mad Jack" was a thieving scoundrel. Local author and historian James Ellis separates fact from fiction.

A fascinating survey of the entire history of tall tales, folklore, and mythology in the United States from earliest times to the present, including stories and myths from the modern era that have become an essential part of contemporary popular culture. Folklore has been a part of American culture for as long as humans have inhabited North America, and increasingly formed an intrinsic part of American culture as diverse peoples from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania arrived. In modern times, folklore and tall tales experienced a rejuvenation with the emergence of urban legends and the growing popularity of science fiction and conspiracy theories, with mass media such as comic books, television, and films contributing to the retelling of old myths. This multi-volume encyclopedia will teach readers the central myths and legends that have formed American culture since its earliest years of settlement. Its entries provide a fascinating glimpse into the collective American imagination over the past 400 years through the stories that have shaped it. Organized alphabetically, the coverage includes Native American creation myths, "tall tales" like George Washington chopping down his father's cherry tree and the adventures of "King of the Wild Frontier" Davy Crockett, through to today's "urban myths." Each entry explains the myth or legend and its importance and provides detailed information about the people and events involved. Each entry also includes a short bibliography that will direct students or interested general readers toward other sources for further investigation. Special attention is paid to African American folklore, Asian American folklore, and the folklore of other traditions that are often overlooked or marginalized in other studies of the topic.

PIRATE TALES: 80+ Novels, Stories, Legends & History of the True Buccaneers is an anthology that sails across the tumultuous seas of piracy, encapsulating an era of adventure, peril, and treasure. This collection boasts a remarkable diversity in literary styles and perspectives, encompassing the romantic, the Gothic, and the factual, to illuminate the multifaceted lives of pirates. Amongst its pages, readers will find the daring exploits of famed pirates, and the courageous men who battled against them, depicted through a spectrum of narrativesfrom the thrilling escapades in the works of Daniel Defoe and Alexandre Dumas to the haunting tales of Edgar Allan Poe and William Hope Hodgson, each piece contributes to the canvas of buccaneering lore, making this collection unparalleled in its scope and depth. The contributing authors and editors of PIRATE TALES form an illustrious cadre of writers whose individual contributions to literature are unparalleled. From the pioneering adventure novels of Jules Verne and the psychological depth of F. Scott Fitzgerald's narrative to the vivid historical detail in the stories of Rafael Sabatini and Stanley Lane-Poole, this collection intersects a wide array of historical, cultural, and literary movements. The diversity of authors enriches the anthology, enabling a comprehensive exploration into the lawless life of pirates and their enduring legacy on maritime history and literature. PIRATE TALES is an indispensable anthology for readers yearning to embark on a voyage across the high seas of literary history. It offers a unique opportunity to delve into the legends of piracy, exploring its allure and danger through a tapestry of voices and styles. This collection serves not only as an educational resource but also as a portal to different eras and viewpoints, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the thrilling and often perilous world of pirates. For scholars, enthusiasts, and casual readers alike, PIRATE TALES presents a treasure trove of narrative riches, promising countless hours of engaging reading.

THE BOOK OF PIRATES brings together an unprecedented collection of over 70 adventure classics, legendary tales, and true historical accounts of the notorious buccaneers that have fascinated readers for centuries. This anthology is a testament to the rich tapestry of literary styles and narratives that define the pirate genre, from swashbuckling adventures on the high seas to intricate studies of pirate lives and the societies they interacted with. The diversity within this collection showcases the evolution of pirate-themed literature, touching upon the works of esteemed authors as well as uncovering hidden gems that provide new perspectives on piracy. The standout pieces within this anthology are not attributed to single authors, emphasizing the collective importance of the works and their shared thematic focus on the allure and danger of pirate life. The contributing authors and editors of THE BOOK OF PIRATES are luminaries from the 19th and early 20th centuries, whose careers span a range of genres but who are united in this collection by their fascination with piracy. Authors such as Jules Verne, Charles Dickens, and Arthur Conan Doyle, among others, bring their unique voices to the theme, enriching the anthology with their distinct historical, cultural, and literary perspectives. This confluence of authors aligns with various literary movements of their times, from romanticism to realism, offering readers a comprehensive view of the evolution of pirate literature and its impact on popular culture. THE BOOK OF PIRATES is recommended for readers seeking to immerse themselves in the world of maritime adventure and the notorious figures who have navigated its waters, both real and fictional. This anthology offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore a multitude of perspectives, narratives, and literary styles, all centered around the captivating theme of piracy. Through its pages, readers are invited to embark on journeys across the seven seas, engage with the multifaceted representations of pirates, and appreciate the breadth of insight and dialogue fostered among the diverse authors' works. It stands as an essential collection for educators, students, and enthusiasts of literary history, providing a comprehensive tour through the lore and legend of pirates.

Come along on a great pirate adventure with hand-picked literary classics and true stories about the legendary outlaws: History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates (Captain Charles Johnson) The Book of Buried Treasure The Pirates' Own Book Treasure Island (R. L. Stevenson) Captain Blood (Rafael Sabatini) Sea Hawk (Sabatini) Blackbeard: Buccaneer (R. D. Paine) Pieces of Eight (Le Gallienne) Captain Singleton (Defoe) Gold-Bug (Edgar Allan Poe) Hearts of Three (Jack London) The Dark Frigate (C. B. Hawes) Isle of Pirate's Doom (Robert E. Howard) Swords of Red Brotherhood (Howard) Queen of Black Coast (Howard) Black Vulmea (Howard) Afloat and Ashore (James F. Cooper) Homeward Bound (Cooper) Red Rover (Cooper) Facing the Flag (Jules Verne) Pirate Gow (Daniel Defoe) The King of Pirates (Defoe) The Pirate (Walter Scott) Rose of Paradise (Howard Pyle) Captain Sharkey (Arthur Conan Doyle) The Pirate (Frederick Marryat) Three Cutters (Marryat) Madman and the Pirate (R. M. Ballantyne) The Offshore Pirate (F. Scott Fitzgerald) Martin Conisby's Vengeance (J. Farnol) Coral Island (Ballantyne) Pirate of Panama (W. M. Raine) Under the Waves (Ballantyne) Pirate City (Ballantyne) Gascoyne (Ballantyne) Captain Boldheart (Dickens) The Ways of the Buccaneers (J. Masefield) Master Key (L. Frank Baum) Black Bartlemy's Treasure (J. Farnol) A Man to His Mate (J. Allan Dunn) Tales of the Fish Patrol (Jack London) Barbarossa—King of the Corsairs (E. H. Currey) Robinson Crusoe (Defoe) Jim Davis (J. Masefield) Peter Pan and Wendy (J. M. Barrie) Mysterious Island (Jules Verne) Count of Monte Cristo (Dumas) Ghost Pirates (W. H. Hodgson) The Pagan Madonna (H. MacGrath) A Pirate of the Caribbees (H. Collingwood) The Pirate Island (H. Collingwood) The Devil's Admiral (F. F. Moore) The Pirate of the Mediterranean (W. H. G. Kingston) The Black Buccaneer (Stephen W. Meader) The Third Officer (P. Westerman) Narrative of the Capture of the Ship Derby ...

A catalog of juvenile and fiction books held by the Peoria Public Library, in one alphabetical listing.