From the publisher:
No book is better for introducing children to legendary historical figures than this collection of stories admirably retold by James Baldwin at the beginning of the last century. Selecting the best of our literary heritage, Baldwin cast it into a form that delights children of all ages.
Beginning with the stories of heroes from British history, including King Alfred and the Cakes, King Canute on the Seashore, and Bruce and the Spider, the book moves on to tales of other lands. From Ancient Greece come stories of The Brave Three Hundred, Alexander and Bucephalus, and Diogenes the Wise Man. Introducing the history of Rome are the Story of Cincinnatus, Horatius at the Bridge, and Julius Caesar. The stories of William Tell, Arnold Winkelried, and Robin Hood impart a bit of the flavor of the Middle Ages. Rounding out the collection are a number of timeless tales that show heroes in action: Damon and Pythias, The Sword of Damocles, Picciola, and The King and His Hawk.
Children naturally take a deep interest in such stories. The reading of them will not only give pleasure but will help to lay the foundation for broader literary studies since nearly all are the subjects of frequent allusions in poetry and prose. Young children will enjoy having these stories read to them, while older children will delight in reading them to themselves.
Table of Contents:
1. King Alfred and the Cakes
2. King Alfred and the Beggar
3. King Canute on the Seashore
4. The Sons of William the Conqueror
5. The White Ship
6. King John and the Abbott
7. A Story of Robin Hood
8. Bruce and the Spider
9. The Black Douglas
10. Three Men of Gotham
11. Other Wise Men of Gotham
12. The Miller of the Dee
13. Sir Philip Sidney
14. Ungrateful Soldier
15. Sir Humphrey Gilbert
16. Sir Walter Raleigh
17. Pocahontas
18. George Washington and His Hatchet
19. Grace Darling
20. The Story of William Tell
21. Arnold Winkelried
22. The Bell of Atri
23. How Napoleon Crossed the Alps
24. The Story of Cincinnatus
25. The Story of Regulus
26. Cornelia's Jewels
27. Androclus and the Lion
28. Horatius at the Bridge
29. Julius Cæsar
30. The Sword of Damocles
31. Damon and Pythias
32. A Laconic Answer
33. The Ungrateful Guest
34. Alexander and Bucephalus
35. Diogenes the Wise Man
36. The Brave Three Hundred
37. Socrates and His House
38. The King and His Hawk
39. Doctor Goldsmith
40. The Kingdoms
41. The Barmecide Feast
42. The Endless Tale
43. The Blind Men and the Elephant
44. Maximilian and the Goose Boy
45. The Inchcape Rock
46. Whittington and His Cat
47. Casabianca
48. Antonio Canova
49. Picciola
50. Mignon
James Baldwin (1841–1925) was an American educator and administrator. He served as the superintendent of Indiana's school system for 18 years and then went on to become a widely published textbook editor and children's author in the subjects of legends, mythology, biography, and literature, among others.
