American Notes

"American Notes" by Rudyard Kipling is a collection of travel essays from the late 1800s, where we see America through the fresh, yet critical, eyes of a British traveler. The story begins with Kipling entering San Francisco, immediately shocked by this city's wildness and charm. He tells stories about his confusing journey through unknown city streets where he met interesting and strange people, while struggling with different cultural ways. From talking with local journalists to noticing weird parts of American kindness, Kipling shows us how he is both interested and critical of American life, using humor and insight to point out differences in language, habits, and social expectations, and preparing us for what he will discover as he continues to travel across a diverse and tumultuous nation.