Curiosities and Splendour: An anthology of classic travel literature

Journey back in time with this collection of classic travel writing from great authors and adventurers. These extraordinary odysseys over land and sea captivated audiences and gave them a glimpse into countries, cities and cultures like never before.

Tales include Robert Falcon Scott’s doomed Antarctic expedition of 1910-13; Robert Byron’s ten-month journey through Persia to Afghanistan in the early 30s; Jack London’s 1907 sailing adventure across the south Pacific; and Teddy Roosevelt’s scientific exploration of the Brazilian jungle’s exotic flora and fauna.

Each author and their piece of writing is introduced by editor Mark Mackenzie, who gives context to the work and provides an insightful look into how travel has changed since they were originally published.

Features extracts from:

The Worst Journey in the World - Apsley Cherry-Garrard
The Road to Oxiana - Robert Byron
Sea and Sardinia - DH Lawrence
Cruise of the Snark - Jack London
American Notes - Charles Dickens
Through the Brazilian Wilderness - Teddy Roosevelt
Life on the Mississippi - Mark Twain
Letters Written During a Short Residence in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark - Mary Wollstonecraft
In Morocco - Edith Wharton
Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa - David Livingstone
The Histories - Herodotus
South: The Story of Shackleton’s Last Expedition 1914-1917 - Ernest Shackleton