Born in the U.S.A. (Bruce Springsteen)

History's Best Selling Products of 1846

1. Mosses from an Old Manse

   Released in 1846 by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Wiley & Putnam

   Published in 1846, "Mosses from an Old Manse" represents a pivotal work in Nathaniel Hawthorne's literary career, further establishing his unique voice in American Romanticism. This collection of short stories and sketches profoundly deepened the psychological examination of American original sin and its enduring puritanical heritage, a theme Hawthorne would famously continue to explore in his novels. Coming after the moderate success of "Twice-Told Tales," this volume solidified his place as a leading literary figure, admired for his intricate symbolism and keen insight into the human psyche. Its publication was a significant cultural event, offering readers a mirror to the darker, often unexamined, aspects of the national character.