This book examines why several American literary and intellectual icons became pioneering scholars of the Hispanic world after Independence and the War 1812. At this crucial time for the young republic, these gifted Americans found inspiration in an unlikely place: the collapsing Spanish empire and used it to shape their own country's identity.

'This path-breaking book is the first comprehensive narrative and analysis of early U.S. scholars of Hispanic history and literature. The author opens new windows on the migration of ideas into and out of the U.S.' - James Turner, Professor of the Humanities, University of Notre Dame, France

'Iván Jaksi?'s extraordinary study of a generation of mid-nineteenth century New Englanders fascinated with Spain and its satellites across the Atlantic sets new standards in the examination of the origins of Hispanism as a discipline in the English-speaking world. Meet, among others, Mary Mann, Sarmiento's translator and unofficial publicity agent; W.H. Prescott, a warrior in spite of his blindness; and Washington Irving, whose intellectual thefts are still unchallenged. This un-Metaphysical Club still defines the way we misconceive Hispanic civilization in the United States.' - Ilan Stavans, Lewis-Sebring Professor of Latin American and Latino Culture, Amherst College, USA, and author of The Hispanic Condition and Spanglish

'This is unquestionably the best study on Spain's place in the imaginary of nineteenth century America. Ranging widely over the work of such luminaries as Washington Irving, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, George Ticknor, William Hickling Prescott, and a bit of Melville as well, the scholarship is original and the presentation superb. A page-turner from the very start, the book is essential for anyone interested in history of Hispanism or theimage of Spain in the United States, as well as the writers whose work Jaksi? surveys.' - Richard L. Kagan, Professor of History, Johns Hopkins University,USA

'Highly recommended.' - Choice

Autorentext
IVÁN JAKSIC is author of Andrés Bello: Scholarship and Nation-Building in Nineteenth-Century Latin America , and is Associate Professor of History, Stanford University, USA.

Inhalt
Preface Introduction "My King, My Country, and My Faith": Washington Irving and the Rise and Fall of Spain Labor Ipse Voluptas: George Ticknor's History of Spanish Literature The Enlightened Foreigner: The Reception of Ticknor's Work in the Hispanic World The Spanish Student: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Outre Mer: Longfellow's Hispanic Ties Mary Mann and the Translation of South American Politics The 'Annals of Barbarians':William H. Prescott and the Conquest of the New World 'Follow Your Leader': Prescott's Writings on Spain Conclusion