Book Description

Wilson (1815-1876) was a member of the New Jersey entrepreneurial gentry who, rather late in life, decided he would travel. Covering his first trip abroad with his wife , and his solitary return trip soon after, during which he died of an unknown malady at Luxor, his journals provide a faithful picture of the way Americans of his social class, religious heritage, and upbringing looked at Europe and the exotic world of North Africa and the "Holy Land" during the golden age of the travel diary. Includes an introduction by the editors who place his diaries in historical context and describe their association with the diarist, who was their great-great grandfather. Includes color and bandw photographs. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR