Frozen Asia

Illustrated by a substantial map and recommended to nineteenth-century readers as a 'neat little volume', this account of Siberia by Charles H. Eden (1839–1900) combines the conventions of a topographical study with detailed descriptions of flora and fauna, 'native races', 'climate', 'trade and manufactures', and 'political divisions and government'. Published in 1879, it built upon Eden's previous success with Australian Heroes and The Fifth Continent to confirm his reputation as an accessible and instructive author. His clear narrative style combined with dramatic subject matter ensured his popularity with specialists and general readers alike. The inclusion of a collection of stories from Siberian folklore provides an unusual dimension and a valuable insight into nineteenth-century British attitudes towards indigenous cultures, including the Kirghis, Buriates, and Tungooses. Concluding with a detailed description of 'recent explorations', it should fascinate geologists, geographers, and historians of anthropology in equal measure.