Originally entitled, "The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.", this collection of essays, sketches, and tales established Washington's reputation as America's foremost professional author. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle" are classics of American fiction and display Irving's ability to depict American landscapes and culture.

This volume also contains a number of gently ironic pieces about life in England that reflect the author's interest in the traditions of the Old World and his longings for his home in the New.