East of Suez Ceylon, India, China and Japan

"East of Suez" by Frederic Courtland Penfield, showcases a journey through the East in the early 1900s, looking at Ceylon, India, China, and Japan. The author, an American diplomat, shares his personal experiences and thoughts about culture, landscapes, and people of these regions. Penfield looks at the past and present of these areas, showing how the East and West are both different and connected. The beginning of the book explains the growing link between America and Asia, especially the money-making chances in the East. Penfield also talks about how important the Suez Canal is for trade and shares stories about his time in Egypt and the people who helped create the canal, providing a view of trade, colonialism, and culture during that time.