"Suppose you were a quiet, respectable, sedentary business or professional man, and the captain of a tramp steamer bound to South America and up the Amazon suddenly dropped into your peaceful office,... This description may be from another edition of this product.
Although this book may not appeal to all, to the adventure travel reader, it is a work of art, and a must read. Each description of an incident, landscape or interesting item paints in words a picture that is exquisite. I'm reading it for the second time, in case I missed anything. It's better the second time!
A Great Armchair Adventure
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
When I first read this book six years ago, I was struck by its leisurely pace -- some readers in today's "now" technological age might find the text maddeningly slow -- but that is the delight in a book of this sort, written in 1912. Tomlinson's meditations, ruminations and wanderings are part of the larger adventure reflected in the times in which he took the "Capella" voyage. And, from these digressions come crisp, first-rate descriptions of the ship, its crew, and the surroundings. Even today, I can recall certain passages that still strike me in their clarity and precision (Ex: the huge, turbine arms of the Capella's engines whir and thump with "bird-like alacrity."). This book requires patience and indulgence, but is extremely rewarding for someone in this right frame of mind.
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