Synopses & Reviews
"Carrion is not noxious to starving men." This is one of the countless potentially useful bits of information contained within Sir Francis Galton's fascinating but unwieldy (366 pages)
The Art of Travel. First published in 1855, the book became a bible of self-sufficiency for a host of now famous explorers including Sir Richard Burton. Galton's work is now available in a condensed edition that highlights the amusing and the practical while losing extraneous material and minutia such as how many fleabites he endured on one trip and how many bush ticks bit him on another.
The Art of Travel recounts Galton's adventures as one of the first Europeans to explore the interior of southwestern Africa. His quaint advice on interacting with "savages," handling elephants, and stopping asses from braying will make you laugh. But you'll want to take notes on his instructions on how to find water in the desert, navigate by the stars, or follow tracks in the dark.
Review
"Though some of the advice is dated, some is still quite useful and fun to peruse." Library Journal
About the Author
Sir Francis Galton (1822-1911) was an English explorer, scientist, mathematician, writer, and inventor. A cousin and contemporary of Charles Darwin, he was a genius in his own right; among his many accomplishments, he pioneered the art of finger-printing.