The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"The Song of Hiawatha" is an epic poem that tells the story of Hiawatha, a Native American hero and his love for Minnehaha, a Dakota woman. The narrative follows Hiawatha's life from his miraculous birth, through his childhood, his exploits, and his courtship and marriage to Minnehaha. It also portrays his efforts to improve the lives of his people, his prophetic teachings, and his eventual departure to the Isles of the Blessed. The poem also includes numerous references to Native American legends and geography.

The 2716th greatest book of all time


Ranking Details:

Our ranking system awards points to books based on their appearance and position on curated lists. Here's how it works:

Unranked Lists: For lists without specific rankings, each book receives points equivalent to the list's weight. This approach recognizes the book's inclusion on prestigious lists.

Ranked Lists: Books on ranked lists receive points in two ways:

  • Base Points: Initially, every book is awarded points equal to the list's weight, acknowledging its significance.
  • Bonus Points: Additionally, books earn bonus points based on their ranking. The total bonus pool, equal to 100% of the list's weight, is distributed among the books, with higher-ranked books receiving more points.

Exponential Distribution: The distribution of bonus points follows an exponential model. This means the top-ranked book (#1) receives significantly more bonus points than those further down the list (e.g., #100). Our algorithm ensures that higher placements are rewarded more generously, reflecting the achievement of a top rank on any given list.

This scoring system ensures that each book's ranking reflects both its presence on multiple lists and its positions within those lists, providing a comprehensive measure of its acclaim and popularity.

Total Points: 135

Since this book was first published in 1855, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 135.0.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.