The Amateur Emigrant

"For in emigration the young men enter direct by the shipload on their heritage of work; empty continents swarm, as at the bosun's whistle, with industrious hands, and whole hew empires are domesticated to the service of man."
-Robert Louis Stevenson, The Amateur Emigrant
This jacketed hardcover edition of The Amateur Emigrant: From the Clyde to Sandy Hook (1895), by Robert Louis Stevenson is the first book (followed by Across the Plains and the Silverado Squatters) in a trilogy the author wrote about his journey from Scotland to California in 1879-1880. In this volume, he describes the first leg of his trip, made by ship from Europe to New York City. Stevenson depicts the crowded conditions he experienced in steerage with others who, like him, were poor and sick. At the conclusion, the author also offers his usual sharp-eyed observations, which, in this case are of New York and New Yorkers.

Robert Louis Stevenson, born in 1850 in Edinburgh, Scotland, was a novelist, poet, and essayist known for his vivid storytelling. Despite health struggles, he produced enduring classics like Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. His stories are rich with adventure, moral questions, and unforgettable characters. Through his work, Stevenson explored his love of travel and the mysteries of human nature.Stevenson's delicate health led him to seek warmer climates, and he traveled extensively across Europe, the United States, and the South Pacific. He eventually settled on the island of Samoa, where he became deeply involved in local life and politics. His experiences abroad influenced both his writing and his views. In Samoa, he became a defender of indigenous rights and a respected community figure.Despite his frail health, Stevenson wrote prolifically and gained a devoted following in the 19th-century literary world. His works helped shape the genre of adventure literature and inspired countless writers. Stevenson's legacy lives on through his books and his impact on literature. His adventurous spirit continues to captivate readers around the world.