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, ...
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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.
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Add this copy of The Innocents Abroad to cart. $23.35, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2018 by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform.
A must for todays European traveler. Mark Twain is such a good story teller that one feels like they are making a visit to Europe and the Holy Land. You find yourself exploring countries without the benefit of today's modes of transportation and conviences.
sd6161
Feb 13, 2008
A Great Read!
Mark Twain's humorous, satirical commentary on people and their adventures through life are as pure in Innocent's Abroad as they are in his most famous books. Through this story, Twain set the stage, so to speak, for the American tourist abroad. A must read for anyone who is a fan of Mark Twain and enjoys a good laugh about early American travels abroad.
