Order of James Fenimore Cooper Books

James Fenimore Cooper was a notable writer in the early 1800s. He made his novel debut with The Spy, but he is most famous for The Last of the Mohicans, which many consider his masterpiece and one of the early great novels. Besides his literary work, he wrote numerous social and political pieces aimed at countering European biases and promoting original American art and culture. At 17, Cooper joined the crew of the merchant ship Sterling as a common sailor. His voyages took him to Britain during their war with France, where their ship was boarded, and one crew member was impressed into the British Royal Navy. This experience fueled his dedication to fostering an American art independent of Britain. Cooper later joined the Navy before leaving to pursue his writing career.