The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

Howard Pyle
450 pages (Summer 2010); 54.7MB download
WOWIO Books; ISBN: WOWIO-00554

DESCRIPTION

American illustrator and writer Howard Pyle is best remembered for his books appealing to young audiences. "The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood of Great Renown in Nottinghamshire" stands among his most popular books and has remained in print since initially published in 1883.

In the late 1300s Robin Hood first appeared in literature. No definitive proof exists that Robin Hood actually lived; rather he was an amalgamation of characteristics taken from actual heroic and mythological figures, as well as genuine outlaws. Pyle took inspiration from the literature and created a believable story transforming a figure that originally was a ruffian into an admirable character. Pyle drew many illustrations to accompany the text and ingeniously wove in a dialog that gave a believable medieval sound to the conversation.

Pyle's "Robin Hood" is first and foremost an enduring story: a story that has changed and enriched as each generation added to the tale and characters. But Pyle's basic appeal of a heroic figure that takes from the affluent to aid the destitute resonates among and across generations.

Also included in this WOWIO eBook is the first episode of the British television series "The Coming of Robin Hood" that initially aired in 1955. Robin and his followers battle for justice continued through 142 wildly popular subsequent television episodes.