Harper's Monthly

"A Little Journey in Java," pg. 31. A volume of facsimiles of original articles from nineteenth and early twentieth century Harper's magazines focuses on visitors' accounts of the scenes and customs of the Old World. Fitzgerald traces what it meant for southern Chinese people to be incorporated into the empire. The imperial court pushed its standards, its religions, its family values, and its taxes down the villagers' throats. The account captures both the devoted cultural imperialism of show more court emissaries, and the eclectic local resistance. I feel, however, that this was not really a matter of expansion by "the Chinese people." It was a matter of an expanding imperial system, which regarded its subjects as civilized to the degree they conformed to the hierarchical, patriarchal ways of northern warlords. show less

During the late 19th century and early 20th century, when the world was a much larger place (before radio, air travel, television, and Internet) Harper's Magazine provided armchair travelers with a broad array of articles detailing the life, customs, and sights of faraway lands across the globe. This collection contains about 40 articles from that simpler time, giving the modern reader historical insight into not only life as it was, but also the standard for magazine journalism of the era. show more The writing generally is quite dry. The writers tended to view from a distance, inevitably keeping the reader at arm's length as well. Long and long-winded paragraphs are the norm. Quotes from locals are rare. But if you can look past this staid style, there are some fine glimpses of what the world was like back then: Folkestone (England), Parisian cafes, Cairo, Peking, The Arran Islands (Ireland), London, and more. The inclusion of the original photographs and illustrations enhances the unique "time machine" experience that this collection provides. show less

Covers pre through post Civil War years. Though I enjoy the many illustrations contained in these volumes, the "Editor's Easy Chair, Literary Notices, and Monthly Record of Current Events are great reads!

Includes numerous illustrations by Frederic Remington, story by Mark Twain, poetry by Walt Whitman, James Whitcomb Riley, article on the treason trial of Aaron Burr with a nice illustration of Burr in old age.