In the late-1980's I ran across a first edition of Mark Twain's Following the Equator. One flip through its musty pages and I knew I had to have it.
In 1897, Mark Twain wrote this illustrated account of his ride around the world on a steamship. From Hawaii to Fiji to Australia to India to South Africa, Twain brings humor, irony, and a fascinating view of a world changing near the end of the 19th century. He holds no punches when it comes to imperialism and racism.
There's a photo of Twain in the front of the book, under which in his own handwriting he states:
"Be good and you will be lonesome," just to let you know what's coming to you on the following pages.
Following the Equator is out of copyright and in the public domain. You may download it free here:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2895/2895-h/2895-h.htm