"Not long after I moved with my family to a small town in New Hampshire, I happened upon a path that vanished into a wood on the edge of town." So begins Bill Bryson's hilarious book, A Walk in the Woods. Following his return to America after 20 years in Britain, Bryson decided to reacquaint himself with his native country by walking the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. The AT, as it's affectionately known to thousands of hikers, offers an astonishing landscape of silent forests and sparkling lakes - and to a writer with the comic genius of Bill Bryson, it also provides endless opportunities to test his own powers of ineptitude, and to witness the majestic silliness of his fellow human beings. But A Walk in the Woods is more than just a laugh-out-loud hike. Bryson's acute eye is a wise witness to this fragile and beautiful trail, and as he tells its fascinating history, he makes a moving plea for the conservation of America's last great wilderness. An adventure, a comedy, a lament, and a celebration, A Walk in the Woods is destined to become a modern classic of travel literature. Read more

Every time Bill Bryson walks out the door memorable travel literature threatens to break out. This time in Australia. His previous excursion up, down, and over the Appalachian Trail resulted in the sublime best seller A Walk in the Woods. Now he has traveled around the world and all the way Down Under to Australia, the only island that is also a continent and the only continent that is also a country. Australia exists on a vast scale, a shockingly under-discovered country with the friendliest inhabitants, the hottest, driest weather, the most peculiar and lethal wildlife to be found on this planet, and more things that can kill you in extremely malicious ways than anywhere else: sharks, crocodiles, the 10 most deadly poisonous snakes on the planet, fluffy yet toxic caterpillars, seashells that actually attack you, and the unbelievable box jellyfish. In a Sunburned Country is a delectably funny, fact-filled and adventurous performance by a writer who combines humor, wonder, and unflagging curiosity. Wherever Bryson goes he finds Australians who are cheerful, extroverted, and unfailingly obliging. They are the beaming products of a land with clean, safe cities, cold beer, and constant sunshine. Australia is an immense and fortunate land, and it has found in Bryson its perfect guide. Read more

Every time Bill Bryson walks out the door, memorable travel literature threatens to break out. This time in Australia.His previous excursion along the Appalachian Trail resulted in the sublime national bestseller A Walk in the Woods. In A Sunburned Country is his report on what he found in an entirely different place: Australia, the country that doubles as a continent, and a place with the friendliest inhabitants, the hottest, driest weather, and the most peculiar and lethal wildlife to be found on the planet. The result is a deliciously funny, fact-filled, and adventurous performance by a writer who combines humor, wonder, and unflagging curiousity.Despite the fact that Australia harbors more things that can kill you in extremely nasty ways than anywhere else, including sharks, crocodiles, snakes, even riptides and deserts, Bill Bryson adores the place, and he takes his readers on a rollicking ride far beyond that beaten tourist path. Wherever he goes he finds Australians who are cheerful, extroverted, and unfailingly obliging, and these beaming products of land with clean, safe cities, cold beer, and constant sunshine fill the pages of this wonderful book. Australia is an immense and fortunate land, and it has found in Bill Bryson its perfect guide. Read more

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The classic chronicle of a “terribly misguided and terribly funny” (The Washington Post) hike of the Appalachian Trail, from the author of A Short History of Nearly Everything and The Body “The best way of escaping into nature.”—The New York Times  Back in America after twenty years in Britain, Bill Bryson decided to reacquaint himself with his native country by walking the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine. The AT offers an astonishing landscape of silent forests and sparkling lakes—and to a writer with the comic genius of Bill Bryson, it also provides endless opportunities to witness the majestic silliness of his fellow human beings.  For a start there’s the gloriously out-of-shape Stephen Katz, a buddy from Iowa along for the walk. But A Walk in the Woods is more than just a laugh-out-loud hike. Bryson’s acute eye is a wise witness to this beautiful but fragile trail, and as he tells its fascinating history, he makes a moving plea for the conservation of America’s last great wilderness. An adventure, a comedy, and a celebration, A Walk in the Woods is a modern classic of travel literature. NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE Read more

This work examines how beauty standards, specifically the ideology of “fairness,” contributed to the racialization of bodies in early modern England. Schoel emphasizes the need to dismantle whiteness’s invisibility in historical criticism, noting that it has long been an unexamined norm. By focusing on the materiality of cosmetic whiteness, the text aims to disrupt colorblind ideologies and reveal the mechanisms behind white supremacy.Drawing on diverse texts like sonnets, travel literature, and medical treatises, the book discusses how light skin and hair were idealized, symbolizing Christian virtue and femininity. This rhetoric of fairness not only promoted racial hierarchies but also constructed whiteness through cosmetics like whitening creams and exfoliants. These practices, associated with Queen Elizabeth I's image and widely reproduced in theater, medicine, and household texts, led to a “cult of whiteness.” The locus of the cult was Queen Elizabeth I, whose materially constructed reds and whites in her portraiture and on the surface of her skin resounded throughout the commonwealth. If the cult of whiteness was founded by Elizabeth’s propagandistic image campaign, it was facilitated and reproduced through theatrical productions, medical treatises, household manuals, and the birth of the apothecary, which made the materials of whiteness accessible to a wider socially diverse network of consumers.The book is not only an ideal resource for students and scholars of early modern studies, performance, and Critical Race Studies, but for all those seeking an introduction to constructions of race in early modern England. Read more

Journey across Europe aboard a tandem tricycle in these two Victorian-era travelogues that take readers to England and Italy.A peasant in peaked hat and blue shirt, with trousers rolled up high above his bare knees, crossed the road and silently examined the tricycle. “You have a good horse,” he then said; “it eats nothing.” —from An Italian PilgrimageThe 1880s was an exhilarating time for cycling pioneers like Elizabeth and her husband Joseph. As boneshakers and high-wheelers evolved into tandem tricycles and the safety bike, cycling grew from child’s play and extreme sport into a leisurely and, importantly, literary mode of transportation. The illustrated travel memoirs of “those Pennells” were—and still are—highly entertaining. They helped usher in the new age of leisure touring, while playfully hearkening back to famous literary journeys. In this new edition, Dave Buchanan provides rich cultural contexts surrounding the Pennells’ first two adventures. These long out-of-print travel memoirs will delight avid cyclists as well as scholars of travel literature, cycling history, women’s writing, Victorian literature, and illustration.“In the airy, self deprecating style of Robert Louis Stevenson, an American couple captured the imaginations of UK and US readers through the five illustrated cycle-travel books they created beginning in the 1880s. . . . Elizabeth and Joseph Pennell succeeded in bringing the leisure touring idea to the forefront through their jaunts aboard a tandem tricycle outfitted with luggage racks. . . . Cycling historian Dave Buchanan contributes an enlightening introduction which grounds the couple in the literary/art world of the late nineteenth century and gives a gearhead sense of bicycling history. But Elizabeth’s delightful prose steals the show.” —Foreword Reviews Read more

Henry Miller’s landmark travel book, now reissued in a new edition, is ready to be stuffed into any vagabond’s backpack.Like the ancient colossus that stood over the harbor of Rhodes, Henry Miller’s The Colossus of Maroussi stands as a seminal classic in travel literature.  It has preceded the footsteps of prominent travel writers such as Pico Iyer and Rolf Potts. The book Miller would later cite as his favorite began with a young woman’s seductive description of Greece. Miller headed out with his friend Lawrence Durrell to explore the Grecian countryside: a flock of sheep nearly tramples the two as they lie naked on a beach; the Greek poet Katsmbalis, the “colossus” of Miller’s book, stirs every rooster within earshot of the Acropolis with his own loud crowing; cold hard-boiled eggs are warmed in a village’s single stove, and they stay in hotels that “have seen better days, but which have an aroma of the past.” Read more

Every time Bill Bryson walks out the door, memorable travel literature threatens to break out. This time in Australia.His previous excursion along the Appalachian Trail resulted in the sublime national bestseller A Walk in the Woods. In A Sunburned Country is his report on what he found in an entirely different place: Australia, the country that doubles as a continent, and a place with the friendliest inhabitants, the hottest, driest weather, and the most peculiar and lethal wildlife to be found on the planet. The result is a deliciously funny, fact-filled, and adventurous performance by a writer who combines humor, wonder, and unflagging curiousity.Despite the fact that Australia harbors more things that can kill you in extremely nasty ways than anywhere else, including sharks, crocodiles, snakes, even riptides and deserts, Bill Bryson adores the place, and he takes his readers on a rollicking ride far beyond that beaten tourist path. Wherever he goes he finds Australians who are cheerful, extroverted, and unfailingly obliging, and these beaming products of land with clean, safe cities, cold beer, and constant sunshine fill the pages of this wonderful book. Australia is an immense and fortunate land, and it has found in Bill Bryson its perfect guide. Read more

“Wilkes makes the world of Jane Austen come to life . . . from travel to fashion, shopping, leisure, and, of course, finding a mate” (Britain Express). Immerse yourself in the vanished world inhabited by Austen’s contemporaries. Packed with detail and anecdotes, this is an intimate exploration of how the middle and upper classes lived from 1775, the year of Austen’s birth, to the coronation of George IV in 1820. Sue Wilkes skillfully conjures up all aspects of daily life within the period, drawing on contemporary diaries, illustrations, letters, novels, travel literature, and archives. Were all unmarried affluent men really “in want of a wife”?Where would a young lady seek adventure?Would “taking the waters” at Bath and other spas kill or cure you?Was Lizzy Bennet bitten by bed-bugs while traveling?What would you wear to a country ball or a dance at Almack’s?Would Mr. Darcy have worn a corset?What hidden horrors lurked in elegant Regency houses? “A delight. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that paints such a vivid picture of daily life in late 18th and early 19th century England. It makes a perfect companion for Austen’s beloved novels.” —The Heritage Traveller “A thoroughly engaging—and very informative—‘eyewitness’ guide to everything from medical matters to modes of travel.” —Joceline Bury, Jane Austen’s Regency World “Written as if to a first-time traveler in the Regency . . . an inviting read . . . a perfect gift for every Janeite friend and family member.” —Austenprose “A worthy contribution to the field of Austen social history and uses the mundane realities of life to illuminate the reader’s experience.” —Sensibilities Read more

Routes and Realms explores the ways in which Muslims expressed attachment to land from the ninth through the eleventh centuries, the earliest period of intensive written production in Arabic. In this groundbreaking first book, Zayde Antrim develops a "discourse of place," a framework for approaching formal texts devoted to the representation of territory across genres. The discourse of place included such varied works as topographical histories, literary anthologies, religious treatises, world geographies, poetry, travel literature, and maps. By closely reading and analyzing these works, Antrim argues that their authors imagined plots of land primarily as homes, cities, and regions and associated them with a range of claims to religious and political authority. She contends that these are evidence of the powerful ways in which the geographical imagination was tapped to declare loyalty and invoke belonging in the early Islamic world, reinforcing the importance of the earliest regional mapping tradition in the Islamic world. Routes and Realms challenges a widespread tendency to underestimate the importance of territory and to over-emphasize the importance of religion and family to notions of community and belonging among Muslims and Arabs, both in the past and today. Read more

The Venetian adventurer Marco Polo traveled from Europe to Asia in the late thirteenth century, as immortalised in his seminal work of travel literature. It describes Polo’s assorted travels throughout Asia and his experiences in the sumptuous court of Kublai Khan. Composed at a time when very little was known about the Far East, Polo’s account opened new vistas to the European mind, allowing Western horizons to expand. His description of Japan set a definite goal for Christopher Columbus in his journey of 1492, while Polo’s detailed discoveries of spices encouraged Western merchants to seek new sources and break trading monopolies. The wealth of geographic information recorded by Polo was widely used in the late fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, fuelling an era of great European discoveries. Delphi’s Medieval Library provides eReaders with rare and precious works of the Middle Ages, with noted English translations and the original texts. This eBook presents Marco Polo’s complete text, with illustrations, an informative introduction and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1)* Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Polo's life and adventures* Features the complete extant works of Marco Polo, in both English translation and Giovanni Battista Ramusio’s original Italian text* The complete Yule-Cordier 1903 translation, with hundreds of illustrations and footnotes* Concise introduction to the text* Superior formatting* Easily locate the sections you want to read with individual contents tables* Features four bonus biographies — discover Polo's medieval worldCONTENTS:The TranslationBrief Introduction to Marco PoloThe Travels of Marco Polo (c. 1300)The Original TextThe Italian TextThe BiographiesMarco Polo (1832) by James Augustus St. JohnSir Marco Polo, the Venetian, and His Travels in Asia (1893) by W. H. Davenport AdamsMarco Polo (1904) by John H. HaarenMarco Polo (1911) by Henry Yule and Charles Raymond Beazley Read more

For those who love sailing and you-are-there travel literature. Also for those who enjoy studying the life and times of the Apostle Paul. But definitely for those who love adventure, or at least reading about it! Seafaring isn't for the faint of heart. It wasn't for the Apostle Paul in the first century A.D.—shipwrecked, imprisoned, and often a stranger in foreign lands. And it turned out to be a heart-stopping task some two thousand years later, when a religion professor and his wife undertook a 14-month journey by sailboat! They stopped in eight countries, visiting every site where Paul stopped on his tumultuous missionary journeys.           "Sailing Acts" traces this 21st-century voyage from Volos, Greece, to Rome, Italy, by car, by foot, by motorized scooter, but mostly on a 33-foot boat, logging more than 3600 nautical miles over two sailing seasons. "Explorers are easy to admire or despise, but very difficult to understand without going on the trip," writes Stutzman. "To really appreciate the experiences, the drama, and development of Paul the explorer, you need to sail with him."           So begins Sailing Acts, inviting readers to come on board. Stutzman draws thoughtful comparisons from his own travel mishaps and adventures to the ones Paul experienced on his journeys. This book is in the tradition of Bruce Feiler's Walking the Bible. Stutzman's knowledge of the socio-political setting in the first-century Roman empire provides an informative backdrop to understanding Paul and reading his epistles in a new light. The book includes dozens of photos, maps showing the couple's travel routes, a list of all the repairs and replacements Stutzman made to the aging boat which he bought sight-unseen, and an itinerary of places they visited.Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, is proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports—books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team.In addition to books on popular team sports, we also publish books for a wide variety of athletes and sports enthusiasts, including books on running, cycling, horseback riding, swimming, tennis, martial arts, golf, camping, hiking, aviation, boating, and so much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home. Read more

In "Etna," G. F. Rodwell presents a vivid and immersive exploration of the iconic volcano, intertwining personal narrative with extensive scientific observation. The text navigates the geological and cultural significance of Mount Etna, utilizing a lyrical prose style that evokes the sublime terror and beauty of the natural world. Rodwell'Äôs meticulous attention to detail and rich descriptions offer readers both a scholarly perspective on volcanic activity and a poetic appreciation of the landscape, situating the work within the broader context of 19th-century travel literature and Romanticism. G. F. Rodwell, an accomplished geologist and writer born in the early 1800s, was deeply influenced by the Romantic ideals that celebrated nature'Äôs grandeur and unpredictability. His personal encounters with the volcanic landscapes of Sicily not only shaped his scientific inquiries but also fostered an artistic interpretation of the terrain that resonated with contemporary thoughts on nature's power. Rodwell'Äôs ability to bridge the gap between scientific exploration and emotional experience is indicative of his unique scholarly position within this literary movement. "Etna" is a compelling read for anyone intrigued by the interplay of nature and culture. It serves as both an educational resource and a poetic ode to one of nature'Äôs most awe-inspiring phenomena. Readers will find themselves captivated by Rodwell'Äôs narrative, gaining insight into the scientific understanding of volcanoes while also appreciating the profound emotional connections that such landscapes inspire. Read more

This book is the fascinating travel journal of George Kennan(1845-1924) who was employed by the Russo-American Telegraph company to explore Eastern Siberia in 1865. Leaving from San Francisco in July 1865 Mr. Kennan and three other men set out for Petropavlovski in Kamchatka. From there they began a march to the northwest, meeting the Sea of Okhotsk and then detouring West for a while until heading north, exploring Eastern Siberia as far as the Berings strait, to Anadyrsk. They navigated rivers, saw the Aurua Borealis in February 1867. In the end the exploration did not lead to the laying of telegraph cable, but nevertheless this account should rank with Twain's `Innocents Abroad' as one of the great pieces of American travel literature of the 19th century.Kennan has a dry sarcastic wit, like Twain, and he writes on many things, from wildlife to flora, to the people and the country. Most amazing is to consider the great distances covered by such few people. There are many interesting stories and insights into the hard life of Russians in the far east. There are also descriptions of the many native peoples, including Koraks, Kamchatdals, Chukchis, Yookaghirs, Chooances, Yakoots and Gakouts, to the depth of describing rituals, marriages and the languages.The greatest, almost unforgivable, oversight in this book, one that is almost crippling, is lack of even one map in an account that begs to have many maps given that it is both a travel narrative and one that mentions many obscure places and tribes that no longer exist in the same form today. The reader is left to imagine the position of the Samanka or Penzhina rivers, the villages of Genul, Okoota or Anadyrsk, or the most obscure villages in north Siberia, such as Geezhega or Shestakova.A great piece of history. Read more

In "Sketches of Central Asia," Ármin Vámbéry presents a rich tapestry of observations and reflections based on his travels through the lesser-known territories of Central Asia during the mid-19th century. The book is characterized by a keen blend of descriptive prose and meticulous ethnographic detail, rendering a vivid portrait of the cultures, landscapes, and societies he encountered. Vámbéry's literary style encapsulates the spirit of Romanticism, intertwining personal narrative with scholarly inquiry, providing an engaging exploration of both the exotic and the familiar amid the socio-political dynamics of the era. Ármin Vámbéry, a Hungarian philologist and traveler, dedicated his life to the study of Central Asian languages and cultures. His unique background as the son of a Jewish family and his early academic pursuits in linguistics and geography instilled in him a profound curiosity for this historically rich yet often overlooked region. Vámbéry's travels were not merely for adventure; they were fueled by a desire to bridge East and West, leveraging his extensive academic insights to challenge prevailing misconceptions about Central Asia and its people. Readers seeking a deepened understanding of Central Asia's historical context, as well as those who appreciate travel literature that transcends mere observation to encompass cultural critique, will find "Sketches of Central Asia" an invaluable resource. Vámbéry's eloquent narrative invites readers into a world of complex identities, making it a vital addition to the libraries of historians, sociologists, and anyone fascinated by the interplay of culture and geography. Read more

Have you ever dreamed of escaping to a tropical paradise that offers both breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural experiences without traveling halfway across the globe? Are you longing for a destination that combines the familiar comforts of America with the exotic allure of the Pacific, where every day brings new discoveries beyond the typical tourist experience?When I first stepped onto Guam's shores five years ago, what was meant to be a three-day stopover turned into a two-week adventure that forever changed my understanding of this remarkable island. I found myself captivated not just by the postcard-perfect beaches of Tumon Bay, but by the passionate stories of Chamorro elders in southern villages, the hidden waterfalls reached only by jungle trails known to locals, and the profound history etched into ancient latte stone sites and World War II memorials alike.This comprehensive, meticulously researched guide represents thousands of miles traveled across every corner of Guam—from luxury resorts to remote villages, from popular tourist spots to secret locations rarely found in conventional travel literature. Unlike outdated guides recycling the same information year after year, this 2025 edition incorporates the significant changes that have transformed Guam's tourism landscape, including new sustainable eco-resorts in the south, the revitalized cultural corridor in Hagåtña, and insider access to experiences most visitors never discover.What This Guide Delivers:Authentic Cultural Immersion – Go beyond surface-level tourism with respectful approaches to experiencing Chamorro traditions, language basics that will earn smiles from locals, and invitations to community events rarely promoted to visitorsPractical Planning Expertise – Navigate everything from the best flight options to ideal accommodations across all budgets, with honest assessments of each area's advantages and limitationsCurated Experiences – Discover personalized itineraries ranging from 3-day highlights to comprehensive 7-day adventures, tailored for families, couples, adventure seekers, history enthusiasts, and culinary explorersResponsible Travel Insights – Learn how your choices can positively impact local communities and help preserve Guam's natural treasures for generations to come"But what about the typhoon season?" you might wonder. "Is it safe for solo travelers?" "Do I need to rent a car?" Rest assured, this guide addresses every common concern with straightforward advice based on current conditions, not outdated information. The comprehensive safety section provides clear guidance on everything from weather considerations to beach safety, while the transportation chapter helps you decide whether public transit, rental cars, or guided tours best suit your travel style.Whether planning your first Guam adventure or returning to discover deeper layers of this multifaceted island, this guide transforms your journey from a simple vacation into a meaningful travel experience that will generate stories you'll share for years to come.And for those seeking the perfect gift for the traveler in your life—someone yearning for extraordinary experiences beyond the ordinary tourist path—this guide serves as both practical resource and inspiration, sparking dreams of Pacific adventures before becoming an indispensable companion throughout their journey.Don't settle for discovering Guam through someone else's filtered Instagram posts or outdated information. Turn the page and begin crafting your own authentic Guam story—one that connects you to the heart of this extraordinary island in ways you never imagined possible. Read more

In the pivotal year following British acquisition of Cyprus, famed explorer and statesman Sir Samuel W. Baker journeys across this storied island to record its raw, unfiltered essence. "Cyprus, as I Saw It in 1879" is a vivid and unvarnished account of a land at the crossroads of East and West, rich with ancient history, rugged landscapes, and complex sociopolitical tensions. Through Baker’s discerning eye and adventurous spirit, readers are led across mountain trails, through crumbling ruins, and into candid encounters with Turkish, Greek, and British inhabitants—each group navigating the shifting sands of colonial transition. With a keen sense of observation and a critical yet respectful tone, Baker unearths both the island’s hidden charms and its harsh realities, offering a snapshot of Cyprus at a moment of profound transformation. This compelling travel memoir is more than a historical document—it is a journey through culture, empire, and identity, brought to life by one of the Victorian era’s most dynamic voices. A must-read for lovers of travel literature, history buffs, and anyone intrigued by the untold layers of Mediterranean life. Read more

This masterwork of travel literature and history provides a kaleidoscopic portrait of the Caribbean and illuminates its fierce grip on the world's imagination.From the moment Columbus gazed out from the deck of the Santa María in 1492 at what he mistook for an island off Asia, the Caribbean has been subjected to the misunderstandings and fantasies of outsiders. Forged by more than three centuries of mass migration and slave labor, the region and its diverse peoples have helped shape the modern world—through politics, religion, economics, music, and culture. Joshua Jelly-Schapiro takes us from Cuba to Jamaica, Puerto Rico to Trinidad, Haiti to Barbados, chronicling with wit and keen insight this “place where globalization began." Read more

"This is the book that has been missing from the Dubai travel literature."Beyond Dubai is a journey around the Emirates in search of its past—encountering smugglers, fire-starting genies, loved-up camels, and a mysterious mountain tribe along the way.Hidden in the southern Arabian desert are lost cities which tell the story of its past—including Hili dating from around the time of Stonehenge, Ubar the ‘Atlantis of the Sands’, Mleiha capital of the ancient Land of Magan, and Julfar, a magnificent port in the 10th to 14th centuries larger and more important than London.In the Empty Quarter the harsh Sabkha Matti is the last ghostly trace of what was once the Great River in the West of Bedouin legend, and on the coast the enigmatic mound of Jebel Barakah, home of the earliest Arabians who came out of Africa 100,000 years ago.On the remote Gulf islands the author describes the compelling evidence that less than ten thousand years ago the Gulf was a fertile valley—the original Garden of Eden—and how climate change created the starkly beautiful Arabian desert landscape. Read more

A masterwork of travel literature and of history: voyaging from Cuba to Jamaica, Puerto Rico to Trinidad, Haiti to Barbados, and islands in between, Joshua Jelly-Schapiro offers a kaleidoscopic portrait of each society, its culture and politics, connecting this region’s common heritage to its fierce grip on the world’s imagination. From the moment Columbus gazed out from the Santa María's deck in 1492 at what he mistook for an island off Asia, the Caribbean has been subjected to the misunderstandings and fantasies of outsiders. Running roughshod over the place,  they have viewed these islands and their inhabitants as exotic allure to be consumed or conquered. The Caribbean stood at the center of the transatlantic slave trade for more than three hundred years, with societies shaped by mass migrations and forced labor.  But its people, scattered across a vast archipelago and separated by the languages of their colonizers, have nonetheless together helped make the modern world—its politics, religion, economics, music, and culture. Jelly-Schapiro gives a sweeping account of how these islands’ inhabitants have searched and fought for better lives. With wit and erudition, he chronicles this “place where globalization began,” and introduces us to its forty million people who continue to decisively shape our world. Read more