A really interesting book written by Charles Dickens about his visit to the U.S. in the late 1840's early 1850's. An outsider's view of the good and the bad about the U.S. a few years before the beginning of the Great Civil War. Many surprising facts. Dickens had especially strong views about slavery in America.

I decided to read this on the back of an podcast by "The Rest is History". I really enjoyed American notes. If for nothing else it's a great look into the history of America. He can go from funny, to indignant re slavery but he also moved me. His writing regarding the deaf and blind girl and how see coped with life really did move me to tears. He wrote about her with such affection. A gem for me.

Sickens provides a fantastical perspective of Americana in his travels to a d through portions of the United States. Once the reader adapts to 19th century stylized English sentence structure Dickens' remarkable ability to paint word pictures in 125 word sentences, the text comes alive. Dickens' dry sense of humor adds to the enjoyment as he characterizes U.S. citizens as customary tobacco plug spitters whose favorite phrase is "yes sir."

I really enjoyed this book and was quite taken by the fact that Charles Dickens traveled through the United States of the early 1840s. It provided an interesting picture of our country during this period and his commentary was engaging. I cannot deny I have had a certain affection for Dickens ever since my first encounter with his writings in high school, but also after seeing a myriad of adaptations of his work for television and film. It is also important to note his impact upon the Victorian period. Something that should also be read in addition to this particular Dickens piece are the critiques that have been made of it, particularly that of G.K. Chesterton. As a patriotic American, his criticisms at times are difficult to swallow, but are made more palatable within Chesterton's frame of reference. Another item of particular interest was the fact that not only had Dickens criscrossed Ohio, but he made paid a short visit to Cleveland, which was the subject of a small chapter in a book that celebrated the 100th anniversary of 'The Plain Dealer'.