Amazons, Savages, and Machiavels: Travel and Colonial Writing in English, 1550-1630: An Anthology

A broad-based and accessible anthology of travel and colonial writing in the English Renaissance, selected to represent the world-picture of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century readers in England. It includes not just the narratives of discovery of the New World but also accounts of cultures already well known through trade links, such as Turkey and the Moluccan islands, and of places that featured just as significantly in the early modern English imagination: from Ireland to Russia and the Far East, from Calais to India and Africa, from France and Italy to the West Indies. The writings reveal painstaking attempts to understand the other as well as ignorance and prejudice, surprising connections alongside phobic reactions to difference, the desire to co-operate alongside the desire to extinguish and exploit. The second edition of Amazons, Savages, and Machiavels is significantly revised and expanded, twenty years after the first edition helped to establish the field of travel and colonial writing in English.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 01 July 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

A comprehensive and accessible anthology of travel and colonial writing during the English Renaissance, curated to reflect the worldviews of English readers in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. This collection encompasses not only the tales of exploration and discovery in the New World but also accounts of cultures familiar to English readers through trade routes, such as Turkey and the Moluccan islands, as well as places that held a prominent place in the early modern English imagination: from Ireland to Russia and the Far East, from Calais to India and Africa, from France and Italy to the West Indies. The writings showcase a range of attitudes towards the "other," from attempts at understanding and empathy to ignorance and prejudice, surprising connections alongside fearful reactions to difference, and a mix of desires for cooperation and exploitation.

The second edition of Amazons, Savages, and Machiavels, released twenty years after the first edition, represents a significant revision and expansion of the field. This anthology includes substantial new chapters covering various topics, including:

The North: This chapter delves into the important Arctic voyages and the quest for the elusive North-West Passage, providing insights into the exploration of the Arctic region during this time.

Islamic West Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean: This chapter includes new material on Persia, Russia, and Jerusalem, shedding light on the interactions and exchanges between Islamic and European cultures in the region.

England from Elsewhere: This chapter presents observations of England and the English by European travelers, offering a European perspective on the country and its people.

The epilogue on women travelers: This chapter explores the significance of women's travel during the Renaissance, particularly focusing on Lady Catherine Whetenhall's journey to Italy, which was recorded after her early death.

Africa: The chapter on Africa includes new material on the Congo, Gambia, and Sierra Leone, providing a broader understanding of the African continent and its historical and cultural developments.

East Asia and the South Seas: This chapter includes new material on China and Japan, expanding our knowledge of these important Asian countries and their interactions with the world.

In addition to these new chapters, the second edition features updated images and additional illustrations, enhancing the visual appeal and historical context of the anthology.

Overall, Amazons, Savages, and Machiavels serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts of English Renaissance literature, history, and culture. It provides a rich tapestry of writings that offer insights into the diverse perspectives and experiences of travelers and colonizers during this period, contributing to our understanding of the complex and multifaceted world of the English Renaissance.

Weight: 626g
Dimension: 234 x 157 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198871576
Edition number: 2 Revised edition