British travel writers, 1940-1997 /

This fourth volume treating British travel writers closes out the 20th century and highlights 29 writers whom the affordability of post-WW II travel gave foot to their desire to explore remaining primitive areas. For them, political uncertainties outweighed physical uncertainties. Recognized travel writers like Bruce Chatwin are included but also Florence Farmborough, whose writing is personal but not prolific. As in DLB 195, a third of the writers covered are women, which improves on mentions in Mark Cocker's Loneliness and Time (1992). Only three writers here are discussed in British Writers. Insights into personal lifestyles, not just tidy summaries, clarify writing motivations. Multiple candid photos and manuscript samples complement each entry. General and academic collections. P. Weathers-Parry; Georgetown University

From renowned poet Fujiwara No Shunzei (1114^-1204) to intrepid world traveler Christina Dodwell (1951^-), entries in these volumes help demonstrate the sweep of the DLB.