Colonial American Travel Narratives
I picked this up on a whim while waiting for a "Historic Philadelphia" event on the 4th of July.This is a well curated selection of early travel writing, I enjoyed Martin's introduction and found it invaluable in putting the various narratives in proper context.
7/30/2015 'A True History of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson': Four Stars
1676 - Profoundly moving account of a shattered nation struggling to adapt to an increasingly hostile neighbor. One woman gets a taste of their existence and strengthens her faith and hardens her heart in response.
8/1.2015 'The Journal of Madam Knight': Four Stars
1704 - A very brief sketch of a succession of inadequate meals and bed chambers.
8/9/2015 'The Secret History of the Dividing Line Betwixt Virginia and North Carolina':Three Stars
1728 - Entertaining narrative, but enjoyment tainted by the author's aristocratic worldview and apparent plagiarism. World still waiting for Byrd's 'Secret Plan to Ethnically Cleanse North Carolina'.
8/22/2015 'The Itinerarium of Dr. Alexander Hamilton': Four Stars
1744 - Of no relation to the founding father, an amiable man treks up and down the upper Eastern colonies for his health, seeing Philadelphia, New York, New Haven, Boston and Albany among others cities with help from his "servant" Dromo. The best narrative in the collection by a long shot.
