Baddeck, and That Sort of Thing (eBook)

In 'Baddeck, and That Sort of Thing,' Charles Dudley Warner offers readers a picturesque account of his travel experiences to Baddeck, Nova Scotia, through a series of evocative and witty essays. As a travel journal, the book stands out for its rich prose and engaging narrative that paints the landscapes and local customs with the finesse of a practiced wordsmith. Warner's literary style, characterized by its humor and astute observations, places the work within the mosaic of American travel literature, not merely documenting a journey but also capturing the cultural and social milieu of the post-Civil War United States. It nestles into a transformative period in literary context, wherein travel writing was forging its identity as part literature, part social commentary.

Charles Dudley Warner, renowned for his collaboration with Mark Twain on 'The Gilded Age,' was a keen observer and commentator of American life. His decision to document his maritime travels with Joseph Twichell in 1873 likely stemmed from both personal inclination and the zeitgeist that valued the exploration of novel environments. Warner himself was a part of the burgeoning middle class with leisure time to travel, and his writings offer an insightful glimpse into the mindset and attitudes of this demographic. Through 'Baddeck, and That Sort of Thing,' Warner inadvertently played a role in ushering the region into the spotlight of tourism, indirectly influencing historical figures like Alexander Graham Bell and cementing the region's status in travel lore.

Scholars and enthusiasts of American travel literature will find 'Baddeck, and That Sort of Thing' an essential addition to their collections. Warner's narrative serves not only as an account of personal experiences but also as a cultural artifact that encapsulates the attitude of an era. The book is recommended for those captivated by the interplay between history, literature, and travel, and for anyone wishing to savor the descriptive power of an astute nineteenth-century American author.