WinnetouKarl May¿s German-language novel of the American West has been a perennial favorite in Europe since its release in 1892. The story of the German-born frontiersman ¿Old Shatterhand¿ and his Apache companion ¿Winnetou¿ in the western plains and mountains has been reprinted innumerable times, made into films and plays, and has inspired musical compositions. Today in Germany, Old West enthusiasts by the tens of thousands attend outdoor ¿Karl May¿ festivals each summer. Yet, despite Karl May¿s immense popularity in Europe, this prolific author of adventure fiction is virtually unknown in the United States and Canada. May¿s writing has shaped a European vision of the post-Civil War American West¿one uniquely Teutonized by his prolific pen. Interestingly enough, May did not visit the United States until late in life, in 1908¿long after his most popular western stories were published. In the WSU Press edition, David Koblick¿s excellent translation and abridgment puts the best known novel by Karl May into the hands of an English speaking audience. In addition, an introduction by Koblick and an insightful foreword by Richard H. Cracroft of Brigham Young University provide cultural and historical perspectives on the Karl May phenomenon. ¿An excellent modern translation.¿--The Wall Street Journal |
Common terms and phrases
answer Apache Chief Apache tribe Apaches asked Bancroft bear-killer blood braves brother Old Shatterhand buffalo bull bushes camp Chief dead death Der Spiegel Dick Stone enemy eyes face father figger Friedrich Gerstäcker German goin greenhorn grizzly hafta hand Hawkens head hear heard heeheehee horse Indians Inshu-chuna and Winnetou Kara ben Nemsi Karl kill Kiowas Kleki-petra knew knife learned leave looked May's medicine bag mistaken mule murderer mustangs never Nsho-chi palefaces Parker peace pipe Pida pueblo pulled Rattler ride rifle river rode Sam Hawkens Sam's Santer scouts Selwiki-lata shook shoot shot shouted side silent smile somethin spoke stay stood stopped sure surveying talk Tangua tell there's thought told tomahawk took tracks trail trees tribe turned wait walked warriors watch weapons West Westerner Winnetou and Inshu-chuna Winnetou's words