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About five years ago, the Author, having then just returned from circumnavigating the globe, was induced to record his experiences of the long journey, which were published in a volume entitled "Due West; or, Round the World in Ten Months." The public favor accorded to this work led, a couple of years later, to the issuing of a second volume of travels, upon the Author's return from the West Indies, entitled "Due South; or, Cuba, Past and Present." The popular success of both books and the flattering comments of the critics have caused the undersigned to believe that a certain portion of the public is pleased to see foreign lands and people through his eyes; and hence the publication of the volume now in hand. These pages describing the far North, from which the Author has just returned, -including Norway, Sweden, Russia, and Russian Poland, -seem naturally to suggest the title of "Due North." Without [Pg vi] permitting prejudice to circumscribe judgment in treating of Russia, the effort has been to represent the condition of that country and its Polish province truthfully, and to draw only reasonable deductions. This special reference is made to the pages relating to the Tzar's government, as it will be found that the Author does not accord with the popularly expressed opinion upon this subject.

The emergence of the racial theories of Nordicism and Anglo-Saxonism at the threshold of the twentieth century changed the cultural and political mapping of the world, and gave a new impetus to the construction of national discourses both in Europe and overseas. In its complex situation as a former colony and a rising empire, America strove to forge a new identity based on the biological findings of fresh scientific fields, the so-called “pseudosciences”. In their travel texts, American travel writers wished to revive their ties with the Old Norse world, embarking on trips which aimed to link the discovery of Vinland, by the Vikings, with the nineteenth-century rediscovery of the Old Norse culture, by Victorian and American scholars. This book explores American perceptions of the Nordic countries which contributed to the construction of the nineteenth-century American national identity. The concepts of Nordic unity and the Americanisation of Northern Europe, in response to the increasing immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe, are connected to American travellers’ parallel attempt to reflect upon the Nordic societies from a utopian perspective.

Situated between Europe and Asia, Russia has systematically challenged the European theories attached to nationhood due to its geopolitical and cultural peculiarities. After the rise of European nationalist movements, imperial Russia posed a threat to the very existence of the Germanic empires of Britain, Germany and Austria, and was frequently evoked to epitomise European barbarism, paganism, despotism and the Orient. In its struggle to acquire a new identity, which would bridge the gap with Western empires, Russia could not conform to the rising Anglo-Saxon movements that sought to glorify Nordic supremacy at the expense of the Oriental Other. Drawing upon this binary opposition between the Orient and the Occident, the Russian Empire concentrated on the development of its own nation-building theories, which managed to incorporate the ascending Pan-Slavic wave into its nationalist agenda. The anti-Western rhetoric that often characterised Russian politics contributed to the subversion of the conventional Western perspective of the Orient and the emergence of Eurasianism as a political theory that exalted the different traits of its imperial system. This book sets the focus on the representations of the Russian Empire from 1792 until 1912 in the field of travel literature. To this end, it selects British and American travel narratives of the aforementioned period to explore all aspects of Russian identity and culture. For this reason, it addresses major issues attached to Russian history and culture that were investigated by Western travellers in their attempt to approach the Russian Empire.

In "The New Eldorado: A Summer Journey to Alaska" by Maturin M. Ballou, readers are taken on an insightful exploration of the Alaskan frontier. Through engaging and vivid descriptions, Ballou presents a comprehensive account of the landscapes, cultures, and experiences he encounters during his journey, making this book a valuable historical and travelogue piece. Written in a descriptive and engaging style, the book captures the essence of the Alaskan wilderness and its inhabitants, offering readers a glimpse into a world filled with beauty and challenges. Set within the context of the late 19th century, this book sheds light on the allure of Alaska during the Gold Rush era. This literary work is a captivating blend of travel writing, historical documentation, and personal reflection, making it an essential read for those interested in the history of the American West. Maturin M. Ballou's extensive travel experience and keen eye for detail are evident in his evocative writing, making him a respected and knowledgeable voice on the subject of Alaska. As a seasoned travel writer and journalist, Ballou's genuine passion for exploration and discovery shines through in this book, offering readers a unique perspective on the Alaskan frontier. I highly recommend "The New Eldorado: A Summer Journey to Alaska" to those seeking a captivating blend of history, travel, and adventure in the Last Frontier.