About the book
The Imprisoned Traveler is a fascinating portrait of a unique book, its context, and its elusive author. Joseph Forsyth, traveling through an Italy plundered by Napoleon, was unjustly imprisoned in 1803 by the French as an enemy alien. Out of his arduous eleven-year “detention” came his only book, Remarks on Antiquities, Arts, and Letters during an Excursion in Italy (1813). Written as an (unsuccessful) appeal for release, praised by Forsyth’s contemporaries for its originality and fine taste, it is now recognized as a classic of Romantic period travel writing. Keith Crook, in this authoritative study, evokes the peculiar miseries that Forsyth endured in French prisons, reveals the significance of Forsyth’s encounters with scientists, poets, scholars, and ordinary Italians, and analyzes his judgments on Italian artworks. He uncovers how Forsyth’s allusiveness functions as a method of covert protest against Napoleon and reproduces the hitherto unpublished correspondence between the imprisoned Forsyth and his brother.
Published by Bucknell University Press. Distributed worldwide by Rutgers University Press.
Editions of Imprisoned Traveler
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781684481620
- EBook
- ISBN 9781684481644
- PDF
- ISBN 9781684481668
Read an Excerpt
The Imprisoned Traveler is a fascinating portrait of a unique book, its context, and its elusive author. Joseph Forsyth, traveling through an Italy plundered by Napoleon, was unjustly imprisoned in 1803 by the French as an enemy alien. Out of his arduous eleven-year “detention” came his only book, Remarks on Antiquities, Arts, and Letters during an Excursion in Italy (1813). Written as an (unsuccessful) appeal for release, praised by Forsyth’s contemporaries for its originality and fine taste, it is now recognized as a classic of Romantic period travel writing. Keith Crook, in this authoritative study, evokes the peculiar miseries that Forsyth endured in French prisons, reveals the significance of Forsyth’s encounters with scientists, poets, scholars, and ordinary Italians, and analyzes his judgments on Italian artworks. He uncovers how Forsyth’s allusiveness functions as a method of covert protest against Napoleon and reproduces the hitherto unpublished correspondence between the imprisoned Forsyth and his brother.
Published by Bucknell University Press. Distributed worldwide by Rutgers University Press.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Imprisoned Traveler about?
The Imprisoned Traveler is a fascinating portrait of a unique book, its context, and its elusive author. Joseph Forsyth, traveling through an Italy plundered by Napoleon, was unjustly imprisoned in 1803 by the French as an enemy alien. Out of his arduous eleven-year “detention” came his only book, Remarks on Antiquities, Arts, and Letters during an Excursion in Italy (1813). Written as an (unsuccessful) appeal for release, praised by Forsyth’s contemporaries for its originality and fine taste, it is now recognized as a classic of Romantic period travel writing. Keith Crook, in this authoritative study, evokes the peculiar miseries that Forsyth endured in French prisons, reveals the significance of Forsyth’s encounters with scientists, poets, scholars, and ordinary Italians, and analyzes his judgments on Italian artworks. He uncovers how Forsyth’s allusiveness functions as a method of covert protest against Napoleon and reproduces the hitherto unpublished correspondence between the imprisoned Forsyth and his brother.
Published by Bucknell University Press. Distributed worldwide by Rutgers University Press.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Imprisoned Traveler?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Literature: history and criticism
Where can I read a sample of Imprisoned Traveler?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781684481620
Is Imprisoned Traveler part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Transits: Literature, Thought & Culture, 1650-1850
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Imprisoned Traveler?
Keith Crook
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Imprisoned Traveler is available as paperback(ISBN 9781684481620) and ebook(ISBN 9781684481644) and pdf(ISBN 9781684481668)
Where can I buy Imprisoned Traveler online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Imprisoned Traveler from below
Where can I buy Imprisoned Traveler?