Due West; Or, Round the World in Ten Months

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

28222

Title

Due West; Or, Round the World in Ten Months

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Maturin M. Ballou chronicles a ten-month global expedition from Boston to Paris, traversing California, Japan, China, India, Egypt, Spain, and France. Blending vivid travelogues with cultural observations, this narrative invites readers to experience the wonders of diverse landscapes, from the Yosemite Valley to the Pyramids of Gizeh, while reflecting on the human condition across continents.

Summary up to 500 words

In "Due West; Or, Round the World in Ten Months," Maturin M. Ballou chronicles a comprehensive global expedition undertaken in 1882 by a small party of five travelers. Departing from Boston in September, the group traverses the American continent to San Francisco before sailing across the Pacific to Japan. Their journey explores the temples of Kioto, the bustling streets of Yokohama, and the historic sites of Kamakura, offering a vivid portrait of Japanese culture and art. The voyage continues through China, visiting Hong Kong and Canton, where Ballou notes local peculiarities and the opium dens, before navigating the Malacca Straits to Ceylon and India. In India, the narrative delves into the spiritual fervor of Benares, describing the sacred Ganges, the worship of monkeys, and the stark realities of colonial life, including visits to the Taj Mahal and the Parsee Towers of Silence. The expedition proceeds through the Red Sea to Egypt, marveling at the Pyramids and Cairo, then crosses the Mediterranean to Spain and France. Ballou contrasts the lush, cultivated landscapes of Europe with the arid regions of Spain, capturing the beauty of the Alhambra, the spectacle of bullfights in Madrid, and the vineyards of Bordeaux. The journey concludes with a return to Boston via Antwerp, completing a circuit of approximately forty thousand miles. Throughout the text, Ballou emphasizes the educational value of travel, arguing that direct observation brings life to historical facts. He provides keen insights into the superstitions of pilgrims, the artistic heritage of Antwerp, and the social dynamics of various nations, presenting a rich tapestry of 19th-century exploration that highlights both the wonders of nature and the complexities of human society.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg28222.epub

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Categories

• Adventure
• Travel