The Others' Austria: Impressions of American And British Travellers, 1814-1914 (Studies in Austrian Literature, Culture, and Thought)

The attractiveness of Austria has long made it into a desirable travel destination for European and American visitors. People came to enjoy the beautiful landscapes, and many were so captivated by the enchanting atmosphere that they wrote down their impressions. This anthology of original texts, offering a look at Austria from the outside, is unique in that it gives a picture of the entire German-speaking part of the Monarchy in the 19th century, not only Vienna. The editors have collected informative accounts from letters, journals, newspaper articles and books written by more than fifty American or British travellers - including famous names like Washington Irving, Frances Trollope, Longfellow, Sir Humphry Davy, Asa Gray, Mark Twain, Henry Adams, and D H Lawrence - which give a colourful account of the rich tapestry of Austria, ranging from its natural beauty to its social and political life, often challenging the conventional image of Austria. This history of travel from stagecoach and river boat to train travel reflects Austria's political history as witnessed by foreign visitors. It traces the dual image of Austria abroad that still prevailed in the twentieth century: a country of dramatic politics and natural beauty. It documents the fascinating development of Austria into a major tourist country in the modern sense.