Title: The text of Great Britain
First published: 1998
Description: This is the first full-length analysis of A Tour through the Whole Island of Great Britain (1724-26), long recognized as a key book for understanding the eighteenth century and as one of Daniel Defoe's most characteristic works. A principle aim of this book is to describe the elements that went into the making of the Tour.

A substantial introduction sets out a conceptual framework for the chapters that follow, putting the Tour into the historical context of travel writing and the development of a literature of tourism.

This work also reflects the concerns and methods of Defoe's oeuvre as a whole. Other aspects of the Tour's ideology are reviewed, notably its political bearings and its treatment of the South Sea Bubble of 1720, a national disaster that has strong personal overtones for Defoe. Finally, an attempt is made to illuminate the design of the work and the ways in which its formal structure supports Defoe's intellectual attitudes.
Subjects: History, Historiography, Travelers, Travel writing, History and criticism, Travelers' writings, English, British, Defoe, daniel, 1661?-1731, Great britain, history, 18th century, Travelers' writings, history and criticism, Travel
Places: Great Britain
People: Daniel Defoe (1661?-1731)
Time periods: 18th century
LC classification: DA620.D31 R64 1998