Around the World in 1000 Pictures

by A. Milton Runyon, Vilma F. Bergane

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Reference, Photography, History

448 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1954

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really interesting, especially reading the captions in a travel guide written so long ago. The pictures were interesting (though I noticed that in the Caribbean that like 90% of the pictures were of resorts and tourists, not anything really local, be it people or locations). That said, past that section, the pictures were more varied, especially when looking at the countries famous for nature. The vaguely pro colonialist commentary was also...interesting.

But my God why are there so many small grammar mistakes (so many missing articles)? I know that that's a small nit pick, but it kept making the writing teacher in me twitch.

[Josh]

Found when picking through shelf downstairs.

1\2 pt toward reading challenge. Mostly pictures. Written book, paper.

Most of book is pics. From 1954. Just read for perspective and comparison to tech like google earth and youtube video from around globe, and from them you also can see not just tourist places. Our worldview must be so altered.

[David Kirschner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fascinating. I found this in my grandma's basement. It's a world travel guide for Americans published in 1954. Seeing pictures of places all over the world back then was so cool. But of course the most interesting part was how the book represents the worldview of a post-WWII (white) American (who can afford to travel). The majority of the book was given over to European countries. Single European cities got more pages than the entire continents of Australia and Africa, to which we are only treated with photos of South Africa, Egypt, and a couple crown territories. In Europe and the Pacific, destinations were rebuilding after being bombed during WWII. The names of some countries are different, and you might be like, "Where is Ceylon?!" (Sri Lanka!). Reading about how to get places was interesting. They tell you about the sea routes, the plane routes, and always speak of the airlines with such pride: "such-and-such, the strong national airline of Germany with clean planes and efficient timelines!" or something. It reminds me how simple it is to travel these days. Occasionally, the editors would say something about indigenous people or locals that was off the mark, and you know I was looking for these passages. For example, when we went to New Zealand, beneath a photo of three young locals walking down the street, the editors tell us that they used to be cannibals, but were saved by Christianity. A triumph! Usually it's not that bad, but there are little things like that here and there. This isn't just a travel book around the world; it's a travel book through time!

[Devyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found a really old copy of this book at a estate sale. I love traveling and old books so it had to come home with me, despite the worn-out condition.
It made me sad because I saw a lot of priceless historical sites that no longer exist. Some by natural disasters. Most by human vandalism or wars.

[faith adams-michaels · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful and really intriguing catalog of pictures. The captions- a mess. Colonialist, borderline racist, strangely patronizing tone, and good grief the grammar and spelling mistakes. Ah, the 1950s. If there weren't any captions, it would be five stars.

[Greta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Armchair time travel at its best.

[Karl H · Rating 5 out of 5]

An early version of Wikipedia.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though not really read, as the only reading is captions. I love old books like this. To compare places with how they look now, the changes are amazing to see, mostly growth and crowding. But also the architectural styles that change as buildings are replaced around sites, especially in the more modern cities.