Tall Tale America: A Legendary History of our Humorous Heroes [Paperback]

Johnny Appleseed, Davy Crockett, Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan and John Henry have all become heroes of American folklore. Some of them, like Crokett, were real, but all have become the subject of tall tales. This is a folksy history of the United States, told as if the characters were all real. This panoramic (if completely untrue) history begins with Columbus. . . . En route to its end in the 1940s (where traditional American heroes are enlisted to fight in World War II), it covers the great and small events of our national history, including the overlooked, but important ones, such as the invention of the prairie dog. —Washington Post Book World

1. Overcoming Hardships, America Gets Discovered and Settled
Leif the Lucky Discovers America, 1000 A.D.
The Continent Temporarily Misplaced
Columbus Discovers America for Good, 1492
Ponce de Leon and Other Discoverers Have a Time of It Getting the Place Settled
 
2. Captain Stormalong, the Revolution and Clipper Ships
John Smith in Virginia, 1607
Miles Standish in New England, 1620
Young Stormalong Goes to Sea and Licks a Kraken
Revolution Begins, 1775
Declaration of Independence, 1776
Stormy Helps Paul Jones in the Raid on Whitehaven, 1778, and in the Battle off Flamborough, 1779
End of Revolution, 1783
Old Stormy Builds the Albatross, Whitens Cliffs and Perfects Whaling
 
3. Jonathan Slick, Southerners, Dutchmen and Daniel Boone
Hardships in Yankeeland
Sharp Bargains Make Fat Purses
Jonathan Drives a Mighty Fine Bargain
He Sees the Whole of the Country
Daniel Boone's Discovery of Kentucky and His Other Puzzling Habits
 
4. Mike Fink, King of Mississippi Keelboatmen:
George Washington, President, 1789-1797
John Adams, President, 1797-1801
Thomas Jefferson, President, 1801-1809
Mike Fink Born in Pittsburgh
His Education on the Frontier
He Starts Keelboating
He Battles and Becomes King of the KlÓÏ