19 - Following the Equator- A Journey Around the World - Chapter 19 by Mark Twain

In Following the Equator, American author Mark Twain takes readers on a captivating journey around the globe, published in 1897. Facing severe financial struggles after a failed investment in a revolutionary typesetting machine, Twain embarked on a tour of the British Empire in 1895 to repay his $100,000 debt (equivalent to about $2 million in 2005). His travelogue is not just an account of his experiences; it is a sharp critique of racism, imperialism, and missionary zeal, all delivered with Twains signature wit. From insightful reflections on Cecil Rhodes in Australia and South Africa to a vivid exploration of the Thugs and Thuggee in India, as well as commentary on the Boer War and diamond trade in South Africa, this narrative offers a rich historical perspective woven seamlessly into his observations. (Summary by Wikipedia and John Greenman)