The Adventures of Daniel Webster

 

Summer reading 2026 starts on May 1st.  But, I've never been good at waiting, so I decided that the best way to entertain myself would be to pick up a temporary read to bridge the gap until Ahmed and Kilbronson brought me my books.  Enter one of my favorite short stories of all time: "The Devil and Daniel Webster," by Stephen Vincent Benet.

This chilling tale tells of Jabez Stone, a farmer plagued by luck so rotten that in a moment of desperation, he makes a deal with the devil in return for seven years of prosperity.  He gets what he asked for, but of course, soon enough, Old Scratch comes to claim what is his.  So, Stone does the only thing that he can think of: he hires the best lawyer in the country to save his soul.

This story is endlessly entertaining, the high stakes keep a strong thread of tension throughout the story, and Benet's writing crafts scenes that are atmospheric and utterly chilling.  While there are plenty of horror stories out there that can scare and disgust, this is one of the few stories that I can read again and again and it still makes my blood run cold in my veins in a way that no other tales seem to capture.

Of course, "Daniel Webster" makes for a great appetizer to this year's Summer Reading Challenge, as Webster is presented as a good old American hero, with "eyes like burning anthracite".  Just sample this quote from early in the story:

They said, when he stood up to speak, stars and stripes came right out in the sky, and once he spoke against a river and made it sink into the ground.  They said, when he walked the woods with his fishing rod, Killall, the trout would jump out of the streams right into his pockets, for they knew it was no use putting up a fight against him; and, when he argued a case, he could turn on the harps of the blessed and the shaking of the earth underground.  That was the kind of man he was...

In reality, Webster's legacy ended up somewhat tarnished by the end, but I would argue that everything he said and did was out of a deep love for his country.

Now, the copy of the book that I read also included two other stories: "By the Waters of Babylon" and "Johnny Pye and the Fool Killer."  The first is about a young man from a tribal culture who goes to the "Place of the Gods" even though it is forbidden, in order to seek knowledge.  And "Johnny Pye" is the story of a young man who is on the run from an imagined threat called The Fool Killer, who he believes is coming for him.  The story is bittersweet and surprisingly poignant, sitting with you long after you finish reading.  While I'd consider "Babylon" the weakest story in the set, I'd also argue that all three are worth checking out.

Finally, I decided to wrap up this pre-summer reading session with a little-known "Daniel Webster" sequel: "Daniel Webster and the Sea Serpent".  It's okay if you think I'm making this up.  I thought it was made-up when I first heard about it, too.  But, this story is a silly tale of a fateful fishing trip where Webster hooks a sea monster.  Definitely not nearly as serious as the first tale, but a fun one if you enjoy Benet's writing.

I think we'll wrap up our post here.  Below, you'll find links to all four stories.  And I hope you'll join me for the Summer Reading adventures in Road Trip Americana!

Check These Out:

• The Devil and Daniel Webster
• By the Waters of Babylon
• Johnny Pye and the Fool Killer
• Daniel Webster and the Sea Serpent

Summer Reading 2026

"Gentlemen!" I announce, walking into the library, "I've decided on my Summer Reading 2026 theme!"

My personal librarians turn around a little too quickly.  Ahmed drops the stack of botany books he's holding and a choking sound escapes Kilbronson's lips.  "You have?"

I'm as pleased as a prized heifer.  "Yes!  This year, in honor of America's 250th, we're doing to do Road Trip Americana!"

"And that means...?"

"That we're going on a road trip!"

"Wait...didn't we do Americana a few years ago?"

"Yeees...." I concede.  But, this time, we're going to do it bigger and we're going to do it again!  Besides,  2024 was more of a focus on tall tales and such.  This time, we're going to take a road trip of America, and we're going to pick up books and read folktales and learn about all the important sites and people and historical information and--"

Kilbronson holds up his hand.  "And last time, I went off to collect books for you all over the country and it didn't go as planned.  So, perhaps we should just stay put?"

I sigh.  "We'll workshop it.  But, for now, your assignment is to find me a list of some great books in various locations that we can go and visit.  I want to learn about everything.  Whaling in New England, cowboys out West, all the presidents, cryptids, everything."  I turn on my heel and walk out into the hallway.  "Gentlemen," I call back over my shoulder, "we start in May.  You have a few weeks to get me prepped.  I can't wait to see what you come up with!"

And I can hear them sigh as the door closes behind me.

Summer Reading 2025

Every year it's the same... I come up with a reading theme for the summer, read about five to ten books, and then forget about the topic and forget about posting my progress online.  So, this year, we're trying something different.  This year, I'm just focusing on ONE BOOK.  This year, we're reading Moby-Dick (again).  I've read it a couple of times before, and I've read pieces of it many more times than that.  This time, however, we're just going to read and worry about Moby-Dick.  It's going to be fun!

Happy Father's Day

As as become my special tradition, I'd like to send out into the interwebs a special Father's Day blessing for all the men in my life.  And a special one on this blog to a dear old friend, who is no longer with us, and who I miss terribly.  I hope that you know how much I miss you, OF.

The Children's Library Tall Tales series

One of the benefits of this summer reading challenge is that it encourages me to check out books that I would never have stumbled upon before.  And that certainly was the case wtih this cute little series of tall tales by The Child's World.  I was just getting settled into my routine following Kilbronson's departure when Ahmed burst into the library and dumped this stack onto my desk.  I didn't realize it at the time, but he had brought me a series of little treasures.

Each book features a different "larger than life" figure from the tall tales, some who were real (although exaggerated) and some who were not.  As far as I can tell, the series contains eight volumes:

• Alfred Bulltop Stormalong
• Calamity Jane
• Casey Jones
• John Henry
• Johnny Appleseed
• Molly Pitcher
• Paul Bunyan
• Pecos Bill

And I read them all in one or two afternoons.  I had heard of all these characters before (with the exception of Molly Pitcher who was completely new to me).  I had also heard of Casey Jones and Calamity Jane, but I couldn't tell you a thing about them (until I read their books, that is!)  All in all, the series was delightful, and I think they are a great introduction for children.  

The Hodgepodge Book (Duncan Emerich)

Like Flapdoodle, this is one of my all-time favorite childhood reads!  I have read The Hodgepodge Book so many times!  As a child, I thought I had found a real goldmine--a book that not only had a ton of fun games, riddles, pranks, and jokes, but also "real world" advice, such as how to send secret messages to your sweetheart (using postage stamps), how to cure a stye (with the tail of a black cat), or even how to get rid of warts (by leaving them at the crossroads).  I suppose it's a good thing that I never had the opportunity to test some of these things out!

I was thrilled to pieces when Ahmed pulled this title out of my shelves.  With Kilbronson on to bigger and better adventures, it was nice to have a comforting read to keep my mind off things.  It also helped that this was a book that I hadn't read in years, even though I had bought it less than a decade ago.

I get the impression that children today would not appreciate a book like this.  With the internet putting a world's worth of knowledge at our fingertips, what use have we for an almanac of sorts?  Still, I can't help but smile whenever I read this, and I think in the hands of the right child, this book could be a real boon.

I mean, look at me.  I might not have had a smartphone or been glued to my computer screen (not like today, anyway), but I was absolutely flabbergasted by the wealth of knowledge and folklore found here.  It's just a darn fun book.

The Camping Trip that Changed America (Barb Rosenstock)

As Kilbronson and Ahmed gathered books for me to read for this year's summer reading selection, we had decided that we'd go on an adventure together, out into the American wilds, looking for new books to read.  But, I got sick, coming down with an early summer cold, and was confined to my rooms until further notice.

As Kilbronson and Ahmed brought me my latest book, a truly enjoyable picture book featuring the real-life meeting between Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir, they offered their suggested plan: Since I was unable to go out, Kilbronson, who always fancied himself something of an explorer, would go in my stead, sending back books for me until I was well enough to join him.  Meanwhile, Ahmed would stay behind, as both my librarian and nursemaid, digging into my extensive personal collection for anything that might fit into the theme while I rested.  It seemed like a lovely idea.  And so, Kilbronson met up with a fur trader named DéFago and went off into the wilderness alone.

Ahmed and I, meanwhile, enjoyed Barb Rosenstock's wonderful book together.

Now, I've always been a fan of Theodore Roosevelt.  The man was larger than life and always looks so happy.  If I could meet any president and shake his hand, it would have been Teddy.  And reading about his love of the outdoors and how he created the national parks system only makes me love him more.

I've actually read this book before (this was my third time) and each reading has been a treat.  The story is that Roosevelt read a book by naturalist John Muir, and was so stirred by Muir's call to action that he wrote to him and asked for a camping excursion together.  The two had a wonderful time, and Muir taught Roosevelt (who was already an outdoorsman) all he needed to know about the beautiful wilderness that was currently in danger.  So, they established the national parks system.  It's a really cool read, beautifully illustrated, and a lot of fun.  My favorite part is when Roosevelt and Muir enjoy a campfire conversation before bed, and Muir shares how he attempted to scare off a bear.  No one gets hurt, but someone is certainly embarrassed.  It was a fun anecdote.

I'm asking Ahmed to find me some more books by John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt while we wait to see what Kilbronson will send back on his travels.