Subject
Atlantic States -- Description and travel Books
Best books
Fanny Kemble
Journal of a Residence in America
"Journal of a Residence in America" by Fanny Kemble is a personal travel journal written in the early 19th century. This work documents the author's experiences and reflections during her time in the United States. Kemble, a British actress, provides insightful observations on American life, society, and cultural contrasts with her native England as she travels aboard the ship Pacific." "At the start of the journal, Kemble describes her emotions while leaving England and boarding the ship, detailing her initial impressions of the journey across the Atlantic. She writes about the passengers aboard the ship, including fellow English travelers and a few Americans, capturing their interactions, reflections on homesickness, and experiences at sea. Her observations are colored by her literary sensibilities, revealing her longing for England and her excitement about encountering a new world, setting the stage for her explorations and reflections on American culture."
Henry James
The American scene
"The American Scene" by Henry James is a travel book published in 1907, documenting his 1904-1905 journey through the United States. After decades abroad, James returned to find an America transformed by materialism, immigration, and rapid development. His controversial observations span New York to New England, praising some aspects of prosperity while sharply criticizing social fragmentation, environmental destruction, and economic excess. The book ends with a dark vision of America's future that was deemed too grim for American readers.
Augustus E. (Augustus Ely) Silliman
A gallop among American scenery or, Sketches of American scenes and military adventure
"A Gallop Among American Scenery" by Augustus E. Silliman is a collection of sketches that captures the essence of American landscapes and military adventures, written in the early 19th century. The book likely combines travelogue-style reflections on various scenic locations in America with narratives detailing military experiences, establishing a vivid account of both natural beauty and historical context. The beginning of the work introduces a character reflecting on his recent travels, providing a glimpse into his inner thoughts as he grapples with boredom during a rainstorm. He recounts his adventures along the Potomac and emphasizes the significant interactions with nature and fellow travelers, particularly at the cottage of his friend Tom. As he lays on a settee, he also observes the peaceful life in Tom's home, from the serenity of the children to the camaraderie shared between him and his friend. This sets the tone for a narrative that weaves together personal experience with rich descriptive landscapes, hinting at the deeper explorations and military anecdotes that are to come.
Albert Perry Brigham
From trail to railway through the Appalachians
"From Trail to Railway through the Appalachians" by Albert Perry Brigham is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book explores the evolution of transportation in the eastern United States, particularly focusing on the transition from trails and early roads to railways. It delves into geographic and historical contexts, aiming to connect physical landscapes with human endeavors throughout this transformative period. The opening of the narrative sets the stage by detailing the significance of Boston and the challenges faced in trade and transportation in the aftermath of the American Revolution. Brigham introduces the natural topography of the Berkshires, emphasizing the difficulties in crossing the rugged mountains that separated New England from the burgeoning western territories. He also highlights early efforts, such as road construction and early rail proposals, to overcome these barriers and the eventual incremental growth of a better-connected America that thrived on commerce and travel. This initial chapter establishes the foundation for understanding the intertwined nature of geography, history, and development in the region.
Margaret Van Horn Dwight
A Journey to Ohio in 1810, as Recorded in the Journal of Margaret Van Horn Dwight
"A Journey to Ohio in 1810" as recorded in the journal of Margaret Van Horn Dwight is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The narrative details the author's poignant journey from New England to Ohio, reflecting on the challenges faced during her travels, including the company she keeps and the various encounters along the way. This journal offers readers a personal glimpse into the life of Margaret Van Horn Dwight, who ultimately seeks a new beginning in the expanding frontier. The beginning of the text introduces readers to Margaret as she embarks on her journey with a group, expressing her bittersweet feelings about leaving friends behind. As they travel by wagon, she chronicles her emotional reflections, the stark realities of their journey, and the varied accommodations—ranging from hospitable to quite unsettling—along the route. Margaret's detailed observations of fellow travelers, local customs, and the natural landscape establish both the physical and emotional terrains she navigates, setting an immersive stage for what promises to be a profound exploration of resilience and adaptation in the face of adversity.
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