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Pike County Ballads and Other Poems: Poetry Guide and Free Edition

Pike County Ballads and Other Poems: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

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AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject

Pike County Ballads and Other Poems is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Hay, John (1838–1905).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"Pike County Ballads and Other Poems" by John Hay is a collection of poems written in the late 19th century that vividly captures the spirit and culture of rural America, particularly in the Midwest. The work showcases a diverse array of poetic styles, weaving together narratives that celebrate both the rugged lives of its characters and the broader themes of humanity, love, and struggle. Set against the backdrop of American history, the poems reflect a deep connection to the land and its people, drawing upon folk traditions and personal experiences. The opening of the collection introduces readers to a variety of stories and characters, beginning with the tale of Jim Bludso, an engineer on the "Prairie Belle," who heroically sacrifices himself to save others from a burning steamboat. This is followed by the touching story of "Little Breeches," a father’s expression of love and faith when he finds his child miraculously safe after a terrifying loss. Other narratives, like "Banty Tim," highlight themes of loyalty and courage, especially in the context of race and the Civil War, demonstrating Hay's engagement with complex social issues of his time. Through these early poems, Hay paints a vibrant picture of a frontier life filled with rich characters, moral dilemmas, and poignant relationships, setting the tone for the rest of the collection.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: Pike County Ballads and Other Poems
  • Author credits: Hay, John (1838–1905)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • American poetry -- 19th century
  • Ballads, English -- United States

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: American Literature
  • Category: Poetry

Read this edition

View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.

Source notes

Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.

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