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The Russian shores of the Black Sea
The Russian shores of the Black sea in the autumn of 1852 with a voyage down the Volga, and a tour through the country of the Don Cossacks This book, "The Russian shores of the Black sea in the autumn of 1852," by Laurence Oliphant, is a replication of a book originally published before 1853. It has been restored by human beings, page by page, so that you may enjoy it in a form as close to the original as possible.
- GenresTravel
266 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1998
About the author
Laurence Oliphant
161 booksLaurence Oliphant, M.P. (Stirling Burghs), diplomat, British intelligence agent, Christian mystic, and Christian Zionist.
Lawrence was the only child of Sir Anthony Oliphant (1793–1859), Cape Colony Attorney General and a member of the Scottish landed gentry, who was appointed Chief Justice in Ceylon shortly after the birth. Sir Anthony and his son have been credited with bringing tea to Ceylon and growing 30 tea plants brought over from China on the Oliphant Estate in Nuwara Eliya.
Following his Diplomatic Service and election to Parliament, he left after only 2 years to join the utopian Brotherhood of the New Life in Brocton, New York. His later falling out with the founder Harris forced the latter to sell the property and move the bulk of the community to Santa Rosa, California.
Lawrence was the only child of Sir Anthony Oliphant (1793–1859), Cape Colony Attorney General and a member of the Scottish landed gentry, who was appointed Chief Justice in Ceylon shortly after the birth. Sir Anthony and his son have been credited with bringing tea to Ceylon and growing 30 tea plants brought over from China on the Oliphant Estate in Nuwara Eliya.
Following his Diplomatic Service and election to Parliament, he left after only 2 years to join the utopian Brotherhood of the New Life in Brocton, New York. His later falling out with the founder Harris forced the latter to sell the property and move the bulk of the community to Santa Rosa, California.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 24, 2019
Two great books of travel, Russia and Katmandu. Well worth the read.
October 5, 2011
I have mixed feelings about Oliphant's 'The Russian Shores of the Black Sea". It actually consists of two works: an account of author's journey through the territories of modern day Russia, Ukraine and Turkey, which lends the book its title, and "A Journey to Katmandu", recounting his travels in India and Nepal.
On one hand, this is an interesting account of Oliphant's extensive travels, during which he not only enjoys what he sees, but also strives to analyse it and draw conclusions. Reportedly, his analysis of the economic situation in Crimea had indeed been very valuable, when not long after his return to England the Crimean war broke out. On the other hand, I found "The Russian Shores of the Black Sea" in places compelling, true, but in places rather boring. While the character emerging from the tone of narration, the Victorian English explorer, is witty and entertaining, as well as possesses a keen sense of humour (I especially enjoyed his descriptions of meals in 'Journey to Katmandu'), he also is condescending and often contemptuous of the local people, and his imperialistic attitude quickly became irritating to me. Words like "barbaric" and "uncivilised" pop up in the text virtually on every page. Oliphant excitedly describes some of the favourite pastimes of the locals, in which he readily participates, such as hunting, elephant catching and "wild-beast fights" - arranged fights between pairs of animals, for example a tiger and a bull, or a donkey and a hyena. While such activities might have been in vogue in the 19th century and were, at least some of them, appropriate for a gentleman, Oliphant's enjoyment of them doesn't exactly make me like him more.
To sum up, while this book is a good piece of travel writing and includes some very interesting and enjoyable sketches, on the whole it failed to captivate me.
On one hand, this is an interesting account of Oliphant's extensive travels, during which he not only enjoys what he sees, but also strives to analyse it and draw conclusions. Reportedly, his analysis of the economic situation in Crimea had indeed been very valuable, when not long after his return to England the Crimean war broke out. On the other hand, I found "The Russian Shores of the Black Sea" in places compelling, true, but in places rather boring. While the character emerging from the tone of narration, the Victorian English explorer, is witty and entertaining, as well as possesses a keen sense of humour (I especially enjoyed his descriptions of meals in 'Journey to Katmandu'), he also is condescending and often contemptuous of the local people, and his imperialistic attitude quickly became irritating to me. Words like "barbaric" and "uncivilised" pop up in the text virtually on every page. Oliphant excitedly describes some of the favourite pastimes of the locals, in which he readily participates, such as hunting, elephant catching and "wild-beast fights" - arranged fights between pairs of animals, for example a tiger and a bull, or a donkey and a hyena. While such activities might have been in vogue in the 19th century and were, at least some of them, appropriate for a gentleman, Oliphant's enjoyment of them doesn't exactly make me like him more.
To sum up, while this book is a good piece of travel writing and includes some very interesting and enjoyable sketches, on the whole it failed to captivate me.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews