The Grand Tour of Europe that solidified the classical education of many young aristocrats from the late 16th through 18th centuries is the theme of several of the titles listed below. As travel became easier and cheaper in the 19th century, more people, including many women, set out, and their journeys often ventured beyond Europe. Here, too, are titles that record the experiences of some of those travelers.
Kevin McCloud's Grand Tour of Europe by Kevin McCloud (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2009). This companion volume to the BBC TV series loosely follows the route of 18th- and 19th-century British aristocrats, finding not only the cultural high points, but low points as well. It also discusses the influence that the returning travellers' experiences had on British society. The publisher calls it "an irreverent travel guide like no other."
Elizabeth Sinkler Coxe's Tales from the Grand Tour 1890-1910 edited by Anne Sinkler Whaley LeClercq (University of South Carolina Press, 2006). A daughter and daughter-in-law of prominent Charleston and Philadelphia families, Elizabeth Sinkler Coxe pursued philanthropy and travel after being widowed early in her marriage. She set sail with her son in 1890 for Africa and the Middle East. This book includes letters, photographs, and watercolors of her adventures.
Brian Sewell's Grand Tour of Italy (DVD, Acorn Media, 2009) British art critic Sewell visits Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples, Siena , and Milan, commenting on what the original Grand Tourists would have seen and done and offering his own contemporary commentary.
The Grand Tour: Around the World with the Queen of Mystery edited by Mathew Prichard (Harper Collins, 2012). With excerpts from Agatha Christie's autobiography and many photographs from her journey, Prichard, Agatha Christie's grandson, documents Christie's 10-month voyage begun in 1922 when she joined her husband on a trade mission to promote the British Empire Exhibition.
Around the World : The Grand Tour in Photo Albums by Barbara Levine and Kirsten M. Jensen. This collection of travel album excerpts from the 1880s through the late 1920s includes photographs, maps, passenger lists, tales and more from different travelers (most anonymous) and travels the world round.
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini. By the author of A Thousand Splendid Suns. One of this summer's favorites.
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Olympics by Daniel Brown. True sports adventure set against the backdrop of Nazi Germany.
The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan. Is a diamond forever? Four couples are connected by one opulent engagement ring. Well-written, intricate plot.
Who Owns the Future? by Jaron Lanier. What does it take for the digital economy to thrive? Is the Internet destroying jobs? The author's examination has been called "brilliant" and "troubling".
