thoughts

Does the history of travel writing illustrate the history of Western expansion and perceived moral, political, and cultural dominance?

These are people going to places where fresh European and American minds have never been before, experiencing places, telling their tales, profiting from their tales, and moving on to bigger and better journeys... Gradually expanding Eastward, and Westward, until the entire planet has virtually been conquered by travelers. What are they seeking? What do they learn? Is there ever any critical feedback into their home cultures, do they ever absorb a different way of living and bring it back? Or do they just seek visceral gratification in sights, sounds, tastes, perpetuating the system of elite/servant?

Why doesn't Fussel include travel writing from any perspectives other than European and American? What might the 'other' side of travel writing look like? What would it look like if a Saharan nomad won $20,000 and the freedom to travel the world?

I would read that book.