The Last of the Mohicans

by Eliza Gatewood Warren (Adapter), James Fenimore Cooper

For generations, readers have enjoyed classic literature. They have delighted in the romance of Jane Austen, thrilled at the adventures of Jules Verne, and pondered the lessons of Aesop. Introduce young readers to these familiar volumes with Great Illustrated Classics. In this series, literary masterworks have been adapted for young scholars. Large, easy-to-read type and charming pen-and-ink drawings enhance the text. Students are sure to enjoy becoming acquainted with traditional literature through these well-loved classics.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Childrens, Literature, Middle Grade

238 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Carmel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. Save yourself the trouble and read something else. If it's plot you need--get it from Cliff's Notes. If it's a kid's story you need--read something else, anything else. If you've always wanted to read this book, then just read the damn book! I'm sure it is great. And there's always the movie.

I appreciate that Cooper's novel should not have been condensed into a few pages with illustrations. This is likely one book that should have NEVER been condensed because--why? Is it for children? There's actually a picture of someone about to be scalped (yeah, I had to explain that to my son!). So if it's not a children's book, let's not abridge it with illustrations. The words here are clunky. The characters aren't developed fully so it is difficult to remember who is what and where and when. The major actions are relayed, but it is confusing and clumsy.

I tried for a shortcut with this one but will likely end up having to read the original version by Cooper. As Albert Einstein is credited for saying, "If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?" I should've read Cooper's version first. Lesson learned!

[JC Roadman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good little book. Helping myself to get my goal lol.

[م. الماجد · Rating 4 out of 5]

في الحقيقة لم اقرا الرواية ولكني شاهدت الفلم واذا كان الفلم مأخوذ من هذه الرواية فهي بلا شك
رائعة جدا

[Will · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the movie, but found the book hard to follow...but I finished it.

[Aiden.M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perservence is the key to success

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dusted off my bookshelf and came across some old classics. Havent read this since middle school and because we spend much of our time in Cooperstown and have visited the grave of James Fenimore Cooper, I felt that the time has come. It was good to be reintroduced to Natty Bumpo, Hawkeye and Chingachkook.

[J. T. K. Tobin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading these little books as a kid was great. There is a very cool illustration on every single page which keeps readers engaged. The story flies by quickly.

While it has its unlikely, even ridiculous, twists and turns, it is a story which has clearly made its mark enough to continue on in various adaptations.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mine was not the children's version. I just liked this picture. http://abookloverswalk.blogspot.com/2...

[Kristi Drillien · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's difficult to know whether to rate books like this based on the story or on the adaptation. I've never read the original book and only vaguely remember seeing the movie when I was younger (I remember my dad watching it a lot). The only thing I really remember is some romance and a cave behind a waterfall. Anyway, in an adaptation like this, it's no surprise to find a lot more telling than showing, as the adapter not only needs to shorten the story but also explain things in simple language. I think it gets the overall story across fine, though without the depth the original would have. And most likely without some emotion. In the end, I felt like the main thing that was lacking was a real connection between Hawkeye and Chingachgook, considering that the ending makes a big deal out of their friendship.

What is especially difficult about reviewing or recommending this book, though, is that it's meant for kids, yet it's full of violence and death. I'm sure the original is more so, of course. But I can only imagine the illustrator's remarks about some of the illustrations he/she was asked to draw: "You want him being shot?" "So the knife should be bloody in this one?" "How many will be lying dead on the ground in this scene?" "Oh, she's about to be scalped? Taken away to be forced to be his wife? Sure, no problem."  So in the end, I think I'd recommend this book be read with your kids, so you can talk about the harsh reality of life during wartime.

[Rasmussen C. 7 · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Last of the Mohicans,” a book written by James Fenimore Cooper, is a breathtaking book about a group of people who are trying to run away from Indians. This all happens in New York at the time and first in the book a group is trying to safely escort these two ladies called the Monroe sisters who are the daughters of high commander. I can't say much else without spoiling it the book besides the daughters get kidnapped and then a lot of crazy stuff happens. I really liked this book a lot. Out of all of the great illustrated classics,that I read this was probably my second favorite book of the series. It had so much great action, and fighting in the whole book, and I would totally recommend it to anyone who was looking for a good book. There are a couple brutal parts, and sad parts though that I don't want to spoil, but I still didn’t like them. Other than that it was such a good book. I think that the theme of the book is that there is a lot of conflict in our world and there always will be because the whole book is about fighting and killing, and people hating each other and it's always been that way.

[Lucie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book., I would give it to children starting from ten-to-eleven year old. The original book as Cooper wrote it has a lot of incorrect, racist remarks made by even the hero, but this book deletes such things, so children won't think that's acceptable. Although Hawkeye is supposed to be the hero, it is Cora Munro and Uncas that make the book for me! Cora is so courageous and Uncas is so protective of her! I did NOT like the film where they put Alice with Uncas and Cora with Hawkeye, that's NOT how James Cooper intended it! If you want the book as Cooper wrote it without very much in it changed, you should read this book.

[Kevin Findley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The original edition was one of my favorite books as a kid. This edition is written for that kid, but it is still a fun read that holds your attention to the end.

For fans of the movie, beware that this edition maintains the ending of the original. If you don't know what that means, you may not like what happens to one of the main characters.

The best recommendation I can give is that EG Warren kept the spirit of Cooper's book. It is a great example of the fiction written back then and a solid reflection of what life was like in the middle of the French and Indian Wars when the idea of America was just a dream.

Find it! Buy it! READ IT!

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

I recently acquired a set of twelve Illustrated Classics for the sake of nostalgia. This is my second to read so far. I have not read the original and my only basis is the Michael Mann film.
This adaptation feels soulless and weekly plot driven. Nothing much has any meaning outside of a cartoonish plot progression. Although I’m not sure how the original fares this version is pretty racist and shallow.
I’ll leave it at that for now. 1.5 stars (it was less than ok).

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Infinitely better than the Illustrated Classics version of "Kidnapped". The story moved along well, with few confusing parts (as this is for kids, note there are pictures of a near-scalping, and mentions of murders of women and children). There are also some derogatory statements about Native Americans within, so please be aware of that, too. It's still worth a read!

[Jenna Hyde · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got the book so I could read with my kids because the movie is pretty violent. The book is violent too! 😅 I understand it’s the abridged version, but if this is how the original plot goes I would have to suggest the Movie version is better. I gave it 2 stars, my kid gave it 4. I left it at 3 for this review.

[Ben Murphy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had 2 purposes.
1. It counts the exact same as reading War and Peace when it comes to my end of the year book tally.
2. I thought if I really enjoyed it, I could get the actual Last of the Mohicans and read it!




I will not be getting the actual Last of the Mohicans

[Ryan Permison]

This is a solid dramatic story filled with adventure and suspense. A great character study of how people from different cultures can learn to coexist and respect each other. I look forward to reading more from James Fenimore Cooper.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of all the Great Illustrated Classics we owned as a kid, this one was my least favorite. I had a difficult time following the storyline, it just didn't captivate me. But I do think I read it more than once.

[Veronica-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very old classic that I really enjoyed reading. The language style takes a bit of getting used to but it's not difficult and definitely worth the effort. Fenimore Cooper is an author I'd like to read more of. Highly recommended.

[♠ TABI⁷ ♠ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this over and over when I was little, and I don't really know what was so captivating about this to me.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book I love history and anyone that loves history will fall in love with this book.

[Sigfrido J. Rodas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it is not the best book for children. Unless you are trying to show a transition of dead.

[Munawar · Rating 5 out of 5]

How i can read it ? Plz tell

[Kien Doan]

Mot tac pham vi dai :(

[Nichole Ostrander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait to watch the movie with my kids.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorite books of fiction.

[Ter Caldwell]

It was boring idk
Had to read it for my English class back in January

[Bart Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this version as a child. Loved the illustrations on every page.

[Ravi Kumar Dandapani]

nice

[Beckie McKeethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because I was told by a relative that part of it was based on something that happened to ancestors of mine.