3 Review(s)

As a young man, French naturalist Henri Mouhot (1826-61) taught languages in Russia and travelled widely in Europe with his brother Charles, sketching people and landscapes, and taking photographs. The brothers both married descendants of the explorer Mungo Park (whose journals are also reissued). Not long afterwards, possibly inspired by Bowring's 1857 book on Siam (also reissued), Henri decided to explore South-East Asia. This vivid account of his experiences conveys his enthusiasm for untamed nature. It was compiled by Charles from Mouhout's papers, and published in two volumes in 1864 with many illustrations based on his sketches. Volume 2 focuses on Cambodia and Mouhot's journey through a particularly remote area of Laos. After travelling by elephant through inhospitable tropical forests, Mouhot fell ill and died. His companions arranged for the return of his notes and collections to Europe. The book ends with selected letters, translations of Chinese fables, and a Cambodian vocabulary.