Synopses & Reviews
Review
andldquo;Collins is a lively writer with full appreciation for all that was colorful in the mysterious region through which he was the first American to pass, and he has genuine zest for the people he met along the way. The book presents an interesting account of Russianandndash;American relations in the mid-nineteenth century.andrdquo;andmdash;New World Review
Review
andldquo;A book of genuine value and interest not only to those concerned with Siberia but to anyone who likes great journeys.andrdquo;andmdash;John A. Harrison, Journal of Asian Studies
Review
andldquo;Collinsandrsquo;s quirky, zestful character comes to the fore, and his enthusiastic narrative captures the readerandrsquo;s attention with its attention to detail, descriptive voice, and anecdotes. The fact that this book is still such an engaging companion after 150 years bears witness to the balance struck between science and entertainment.andrdquo;andmdash;
Sibiricaand#160;Synopsis
Perry McDonough Collins was the first American to journey through Siberia and down the 2,690-mile Amur River to the Pacific Ocean. In 1860 he wrote A Voyage Down the Amoor, an account of his adventures, and his book proved so popular that it was reissued in 1864. Siberian Journey consists of Collinsandrsquo;s original text framed by an interpretive introduction and explanatory notes by Charles Vevier, providing an extensive, first-hand account of Russiaandrsquo;s land and its people in the midandndash;nineteenth century.
About the Author
Perry McDonough Collins (1813andndash;1900) was the visionary behind the Russianandndash;American telegraph, also known as the Collins Overland telegraph, which came about as a result of his journey. Charles Vevier (1924andndash;95) was vice chancellor of the University of Wisconsinandndash;Milwaukee.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Editorandrsquo;s Note
Preface to A Voyage Down the Amoor
I Departure for Siberia
II From Moscow to Nijne-Novgorod
III Nijne-Novgorodandmdash;The Great Fair
IV From Nijne to Ekaterinburg
V From Ekaterinburg to Omsk
VI From Omsk to Irkutsk
VII Irkutsk
VII From Irktsk to Kyachta
IX Kyachta, Mai-Mat-Tschin, and the Feast of Lanterns
X A Russian Dinner
XI From Irkutsk to Petrovskey
XII From Petrovskey to Verchne-Udinsk
XIII From Verchne-Udinsk to Chetah
XIV A Visit to the Mines of Nerchinsk
XV The Silver Mines of Zarentunskie
XVI The Cossacks of the Argoon
XVII The Gold Mines of the Onon
XVIII Passage of Mount Bornorskoy
XIX Residence at Chetah
XX A Wild-Goose Chase
XXI Departure from Chetah
XXII Down the Ingodah
XXIII A Mineral Spring
XXIV From Bankin to Schilkah
XXV From Schilkah to Ouse-Cherney
XXVI From Russian into Chinese WAters
XXVII First View of the Amoor
XXVIII From Ouse-Strelkah to Albasin
XXIX On the River
XXX A Mangoon Camp
XXXI Manchoo Visitors
XXXII A Manchoo Guard-Boat
XXXIII Arrival at Igoon
XXXIV Manchoo Spies
XXXV A Manchoo Village
XXXVI A Tartar Beauty
XXXVII Manchoo Junks
XXXVIII The Sonahree
XXXIX Russian Progress
XL Floating Along
XLI The Navigation
XLII The Hongahree
XLIV A Goldee Village
XLV Female Sailors
XLVI A Night of Danger
XLVII Ancient Monuments
XLVIII Arrival at Nikolaivsky
XLIX Nikolaivsky
L American Residents
LI Character of the Amoor Country
LII Natives on the Amoor
LIII Trade and Resources of Siberia
LIV Voyage to Japan
LV Hakodadi
LVI To Kamschatka
LVII Stay at Petropaulosky
A Note on the Sources
Index