This book contains two of Washington Irving's most famous works, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (also known as "The Headless Horseman") and Rip Van Winkle. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" tells the story of Ichabod Crane, a school teacher, and his attempt to court a beautiful student named Katrina Van Tassel. In order to win her love and hand, he must first fend off the advances of the antagonist Brom "Bones" Van Brout, a well-known town prankster who competes against Ichabod Crane for Katrina's affection. The highlight of the story is when Ichabod Crane encounters the ghost of the Headless Horseman, a soldier who was said to have lost his head to a cannonball during the Revolutionary War. Rip Van Winkle is a story about a man who mysteriously sleeps for 20 years. When he finally wakes up, he discovers that the world has forever changed. This charming story has all the elements of a great tale: a nagging wife, his loyal dog named "wolf," guns, liquor, and long gray beard.