Armenia, Travels and Studies (Volume 1 of 2) The Russian Provinces

A late‑nineteenth‑century explorer recounts two ambitious treks across Armenia, first between 1893‑94 and again in 1898, driven by a restless curiosity about the region’s hidden valleys, soaring peaks and the legendary Lake Van. The narrative begins with his arrival in the Russian‑administered provinces, where he encounters the warmth of the Armenian people and the stark beauty of the highlands, setting the tone for a journey that blends personal observation with a broader sense of the political tensions of the era.

The second expedition turns toward the natural world, as the author and his companion, the geologically‑savvy F. Oswald, map mountain ranges, rivers and lakes using modest yet precise instruments—barometers, compasses and a telemeter—while navigating the watchful eyes of Turkish officials. Their painstaking fieldwork is illustrated with vivid photographs taken on the spot, offering listeners a richly detailed portrait of a landscape that feels both timeless and on the brink of change.