In this little volume, Isaac Taylor takes us on a tour of Europe, anno 1824. We travel once around the entire continent, starting in England, through Scandinavia, Russia, down to Turkey, over the Alps, France, Spain, and back to England. The tour is made with poems and prose, and should be of interest to all listeners. – Summary by Carolin [chương_files]
Two travellers, the writer of this book, and an artist friend who is the companion of his ramble, explored Cornwall together, on foot in the summer-time of the year eighteen hundred and fifty. They accomplished their initiation into the process of walking under a knapsack, with the most complete and encouraging success. This is a collection of Collins’ observations along the way. [edited summary drawn from the author’s first chapter] – Summary by Owlivia [chương_files]
The National Geographic Magazine, an illustrated monthly, Vol X, October 1899. It includes the following articles: Life on a Yukon Trail, by Alfred P. Dennis Tides of Chesapeake Bay, by E. D. Preston The Relation of Forests and Forest Fires, by Gifford Pinchot Variations in Lake Levels and Atmospheric Precipitation, by A. J. Henry Calculations of Population in June, 1900, by Henry Farquhar The Definite Location of Bouvet Island, by O. H. Tittmann Peary’s Work and Prospects, by H. L. Bridgman Peary’s Explorations in 1898-1899 The California and Nevada Boundary Railroads and Canals along with Geographic Literature and Miscellanea [chương_files]
A witty 1853 travelogue by a cultured German for his countrymen. “…for I did not write for an English public, nor did I ever pretend to popularity in England. The “SAUNTERINGS” were intended for the profit and amusement of my German countrymen; and I must say I was not a little pleased and surprised with the very flattering reception which my book experienced at the hands of the English critics. Their favourable opinion, which they so emphatically and—I am selfish enough to go the whole length of the word—so ably expressed, has probably caused the production of the book in an English dress.” ( Book Preface and david wales) [chương_files]
The National Geographic Magazine, an illustrated monthly, Vol X, November 1899. It includes the following articles: The Alaskan Boundary, by Hon John W. Foster Life on a Yukon Trail, by Alfred Pierce Dennis The Rational Element in Geography, by William M. Davis Edward Orton, LL.D. National Geographic Society, by Frederick Haynes Newell along with Geographic Literature and Miscellanea [chương_files]
Englishman Valentine Blount is traveling in Australia, looking for his fortune. He meets up with John Carter, a bushman known locally as Little River Jack, who acts as his guide. They come across an abandoned camp – what is the story behind it? Whose camp was it? Why did they leave? – Summary by Lynne Thompson [chương_files]
Another in a long series by the author focusing on the British Isles and a few chapters on Germany, Poland and other countries of the Baltic region. Chapters include information on religion, their economies, citizens and industry in the early 1920’s. (Summary by Betty B) [chương_files]
A curiously interesting collection of folkloric tales and firsthand accounts written by global travelers for 19th century periodicals; compiled and edited by Emma Elizabeth (E. E.) Brown. Authors include Eliot McCormick (the father of prolific author Theodora McCormick Du Bois), Ernest Ingersoll, E. E. Brown, David Ker and others. – Summary by Brian Fullen [chương_files]
This book was first published in 1897. It’s a short work, but it encompasses a vast subject—nothing less than determining the detailed geographical plan of our entire world! In the process, Jacobs feeds us dates and names and events and places and maps in a dense stream. It’s a bit like drinking from a fire hose, but see it through, and the reader (or listener) will acquire a surprisingly complete overview of world history as well as geography. It’s well worth absorbing, even by those not so geographically inclined, if only as a source for winning endless bar bets. Beginning in ancient times, the author identifies three main forces that have contributed to our present understanding: wars of conquest, competition for trade, and (eventually) pure scientific curiosity. The Egyptians, Phoenicians, early Greeks, Babylonians, and many other Mediterranean peoples contributed, often unwillingly, the streams of knowledge that Ptolemy of Alexandria summed up in the great Ptolemaei Orbis (ca.150 AD), the first “real” map of the whole known world. The evolution of world maps to incorporate (and sometime conceal) new discoveries is a key theme of this fascinating work. (Summary by Steven Seitel) [chương_files]
Writer/entertainer Garrison Keillor (A Prairie Home Companion) on “The Innocents Abroad”: “…one of the best selling travel books of all time.” (The Writer’s Almanac, June 8, 2012) When you dive into Mark Twain’s (Samuel Clemens’) The Innocents Abroad, you have to be ready to learn more about the unadorned, ungilded reality of 19th century “touring” than you might think you want to learn. This is a tough, literary journey. It was tough for Twain and his fellow “pilgrims”, both religious and otherwise. They set out, on a June day in 1867, to visit major tourist sites in Europe and the near east, including Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, “the Holy Land”, and Egypt. What Twain records, in often humorous, sometimes grotesque but always fascinating detail, are the day-to-day ups and downs of discovering the truth about people and places. The truths they learn are often far different than their education and rumor have made them preconceive. This is a voyage of discovery. It’s long and, in places, tiresome. But it’s revelatory about so much. As with some of his other works, Twain includes popular prejudices of his time, which are today considered socially unacceptable. His references to “Indians”, “Negroes” and “infidels” come to mind. Beyond the lows, though, there are the highs of Twain’s cutting wit and insight as he guides us along the bumpy and often dangerous voyage. No need to buckle up. Just take it slow, and steady…like the journey itself. (Summary by John Greenman) [chương_files]
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