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The Art of Travel
Originally published in 1855, this book was written after Francis Galton returned from a historic journey into the African interior where he suffered much hardship and danger. After his return to England the famed explorer determined to teach travelers and soldiers the art of self-sufficiency in the field. His literary effort, “The Art of Travel,” became an instant classic and was used by a host of now-famous explorers, including Sir Richard Francis Burton of Mecca fame. The volume covers a diverse variety of subjects, some expected, as well as a few which are now of great historical interest. Readers will discover how to ride horses, handle elephants, and avoid cobras. Also included are sections on how to pull teeth, find water in a desert, and construct a sleeping bag out of fur. However “The Art of Travel” also includes detailed information not only on how to organize an African safari but how to discipline the irascible wives of the porters as well! Amply illustrated with dozens of nineteenth century drawings, this rediscovered classic remains fascinating reading for students of the horse or history.
122 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1872
33 people are currently reading
411 people want to read
About the author
Francis Galton
98 books70 followersSir Francis Galton, FRS was an English Victorian polymath: anthropologist, eugenicist, tropical explorer, geographer, inventor, meteorologist, proto-geneticist, psychometrician, and statistician. He was knighted in 1909.
Galton produced over 340 papers and books. He also created the statistical concept of correlation and widely promoted regression toward the mean. He was the first to apply statistical methods to the study of human differences and inheritance of intelligence, and introduced the use of questionnaires and surveys for collecting data on human communities, which he needed for genealogical and biographical works and for his anthropometric studies.
He was a pioneer in eugenics, coining the term itself and the phrase "nature versus nurture". His book Hereditary Genius (1869) was the first social scientific attempt to study genius and greatness.
As an investigator of the human mind, he founded psychometrics (the science of measuring mental faculties) and differential psychology and the lexical hypothesis of personality. He devised a method for classifying fingerprints that proved useful in forensic science. He also conducted research on the power of prayer, concluding it had none by its null effects on the longevity of those prayed for.
As the initiator of scientific meteorology, he devised the first weather map, proposed a theory of anticyclones, and was the first to establish a complete record of short-term climatic phenomena on a European scale. He also invented the Galton Whistle for testing differential hearing ability.
He was cousin of Douglas Strutt Galton and half-cousin of Charles Darwin.
Galton produced over 340 papers and books. He also created the statistical concept of correlation and widely promoted regression toward the mean. He was the first to apply statistical methods to the study of human differences and inheritance of intelligence, and introduced the use of questionnaires and surveys for collecting data on human communities, which he needed for genealogical and biographical works and for his anthropometric studies.
He was a pioneer in eugenics, coining the term itself and the phrase "nature versus nurture". His book Hereditary Genius (1869) was the first social scientific attempt to study genius and greatness.
As an investigator of the human mind, he founded psychometrics (the science of measuring mental faculties) and differential psychology and the lexical hypothesis of personality. He devised a method for classifying fingerprints that proved useful in forensic science. He also conducted research on the power of prayer, concluding it had none by its null effects on the longevity of those prayed for.
As the initiator of scientific meteorology, he devised the first weather map, proposed a theory of anticyclones, and was the first to establish a complete record of short-term climatic phenomena on a European scale. He also invented the Galton Whistle for testing differential hearing ability.
He was cousin of Douglas Strutt Galton and half-cousin of Charles Darwin.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 5, 2012
This book is a product of its time, so it is "politically incorrect" by modern sensibilities. Now, with that disclaimer finished, this book was a joy to read. Every page flipped (or in my case, clicked) would lead to something new to think about it. For instance, where else are you going to learn survival skills such as fishing with poison, starting a fire using various methods including one's rifle, how much weight a mule or horse can carry or even a camel can carry,
Here's a quote, "It is nervous work going over the edge of a cliff for the first time; however, the sensation does not include giddiness. Once in the air, and when confidence is acquired, the occupation is quite exhilarating." By the way, the book goes into detail about how to actually tie the knots and what type of rope to use to achieve going over the edge of a cliff, but if one is actually going to do some of the things in this book, one should refer to a modern book or instructor on rapelling. Indeed, after reading this book, I am more grateful for modern conveniences. For instance, I am very very happy that my tent doesn't weigh 30 pounds especially since a donkey can carry only 65 pounds. Then again, my car can carry lots more than a camel.
In conclusion, this book is easy to read, well organized, a page turner. The content is fascinating. It is essentially a how to guide to exploration of our world in the eighteenth century.
Note- I was reading a kindle version free from amazon.com that lacks figures. This book is heavily filled with figures that are referenced throughout the book. Without the figures, It is difficult to understand what the author is explaining. Although I enjoyed the book thoroughly without the pictures, there were many times that I was frustrated, and I anticipate at some point hunting down a version with pictures, so that I can reread the book in its full glory.
Here's a quote, "It is nervous work going over the edge of a cliff for the first time; however, the sensation does not include giddiness. Once in the air, and when confidence is acquired, the occupation is quite exhilarating." By the way, the book goes into detail about how to actually tie the knots and what type of rope to use to achieve going over the edge of a cliff, but if one is actually going to do some of the things in this book, one should refer to a modern book or instructor on rapelling. Indeed, after reading this book, I am more grateful for modern conveniences. For instance, I am very very happy that my tent doesn't weigh 30 pounds especially since a donkey can carry only 65 pounds. Then again, my car can carry lots more than a camel.
In conclusion, this book is easy to read, well organized, a page turner. The content is fascinating. It is essentially a how to guide to exploration of our world in the eighteenth century.
Note- I was reading a kindle version free from amazon.com that lacks figures. This book is heavily filled with figures that are referenced throughout the book. Without the figures, It is difficult to understand what the author is explaining. Although I enjoyed the book thoroughly without the pictures, there were many times that I was frustrated, and I anticipate at some point hunting down a version with pictures, so that I can reread the book in its full glory.
August 14, 2018
Best advice I received from this book? When travelling through Africa, you'll need about 15 soldiers, 150 porters, and an entire herd of cattle.
March 19, 2017
Astonishing what manual and other skills explorers needed in the 19th century. Galton's book, a bestseller in that period, goes into a wealth of detail, which is unintentionally funny in parts. DIY fans would be fascinated.
October 15, 2020
An interesting look at what camping and exploring was like in the 19th century. This is full of interesting notes, details, and how-tos, and it paints an unexpectedly detailed picture of the kinds of things people did to survive back then, and how they saw the world.
Unfortunately, the ebook lacks any diagrams, and the text is full of references to diagrams that don't really make sense without the picture. Large spans were extraordinarily difficult to wade through because the written descriptions alone weren't enough.
Unfortunately, the ebook lacks any diagrams, and the text is full of references to diagrams that don't really make sense without the picture. Large spans were extraordinarily difficult to wade through because the written descriptions alone weren't enough.
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March 4, 2025A truly incredible document.
I think about this line a lot:
"If Keynes were alive today, what are the odds that he’d be in a polycule in Berkeley, writing the best-written LessWrong post you’ve ever seen?"
More so than any other historical writing I’ve ever read, I am absolutely convinced that Francis Galton was a standard Slatestarcodex-er, born just 180 years too early.
I think about this line a lot:
"If Keynes were alive today, what are the odds that he’d be in a polycule in Berkeley, writing the best-written LessWrong post you’ve ever seen?"
More so than any other historical writing I’ve ever read, I am absolutely convinced that Francis Galton was a standard Slatestarcodex-er, born just 180 years too early.
July 16, 2020
A product of its time and the peak British colonialism but outside of that, full of useful advice for research of 19th-century modes of travel. Raft-building, organizing camps, provisioning, and bushcraft.
August 27, 2020
This author has a very low opinion of third world natives and an even lower opinion of woman. I'll read something less offensive.
October 14, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyable... though do not be put off by the "period tongue". It is absolutely a product of its age.
Gee it a bash!
Gee it a bash!
February 25, 2015
Fascinating. I absolutely felt transported reading through this tutorial on how one must approach an exotic expedition. Much of the advice was not relevant to today--obviously--but it was interesting. From a historical perspective.
The modern presentation was a nice way to increase accessibility, but the book clearly speaks for itself:
"For Arctic travel, dogs are used in journeys after they are three years old; each dog requires eight or ten herrings per day, or an equivalent to them."
Good to know!
"The dry dung of cattle and other animals, as found on the ground, is very generally used throughout the world in default of better fuel, and there is nothing whatever objectionable in employing it. The Canadians call it by the apt name of 'bois de vache.'"
You know, wood of cows.
And, for the foolhardy:
"If you fairly lose your way in the dark, do not go on blundering hither and thither till you are exhausted..."
The modern presentation was a nice way to increase accessibility, but the book clearly speaks for itself:
"For Arctic travel, dogs are used in journeys after they are three years old; each dog requires eight or ten herrings per day, or an equivalent to them."
Good to know!
"The dry dung of cattle and other animals, as found on the ground, is very generally used throughout the world in default of better fuel, and there is nothing whatever objectionable in employing it. The Canadians call it by the apt name of 'bois de vache.'"
You know, wood of cows.
And, for the foolhardy:
"If you fairly lose your way in the dark, do not go on blundering hither and thither till you are exhausted..."
July 9, 2007
My enjoyment of this book was shallow but immense. Anyone with a soft spot for Victorian rhetoric and Charles Darwin's cousin would enjoy it. It is, sadly, abridged for modern publication.
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November 26, 2018Na
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews