Diary in America, Series Two Volume One by Captain Marryat is a detailed travelogue that offers a unique 19th-century British perspective on American society. Through his observations, Marryat provides insightful commentary on the cultural differences and daily life in early America, capturing the essence of the nation's evolving identity. The book explores various aspects of American customs, the political landscape, and social issues, including immigration, frontier life, and the contentious topic of slavery and abolition. Marryat's personal narrative is rich with historical context, highlighting the contrasts between British and American ways of life during this period. His exploration of American society is both critical and reflective, offering readers a glimpse into the complexities of British-American relations in the 19th century. Diary in America serves as a valuable historical document, preserving the impressions of a keen observer during a transformative era in American history.
Captain Frederick Marryat (an early innovator of the sea story) was a British Royal Navy Officer and novelist. He gained the Royal Human Society's gold medal for bravery, before leaving the services in 1830 to write books. He is mainly remembered for his stories of the sea, many written from his own experiences. He started a series of adventure novels marked by a brilliant, direct narrative style and an absolute fund of incident and fun. These have The King's Own (1830), Peter Simple (1834), and Mr. Midshipman Easy (1836). He also created a number of children's books, among which The Children of the New Forest (1847), a story of the English Civil Wars is a classic of children literature. A Life and Letters was processed by his daughter Florence (1872). He is recognized also for a broadly used system of maritime flag signalling known as Marryat's Code. Familiar for his adventurous novels, his works are known for their representation of deep family bonds and social structure beside naval action. Marryat died in 1848 at the age of fifty.
