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First published in 1863, this two-volume work by the British journalist William Howard Russell (1820-1907) describes his experiences in America at the start of the Civil War. It records his impressions of the rival northern and southern states, their leaders and citizens, during a landmark period in America's history.

In 1839 the British writer James Silk Buckingham travelled through the southern USA to investigate the practice of slavery. This two-volume work, published in 1842, describes his findings within the framework of a travel narrative. It covers a wide variety of industries as well as economic, social and political debates.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-90) is best known as an outstanding statesman and leader. First published in 1874, this three-volume work was compiled entirely from Franklin's own writings. Volume 1 contains Franklin's autobiography (to 1857), and also recounts his experiments with lightning conductors and his examination before the House of Commons.

Howard Stansbury (1806-63) was a major in the United States Army Corps of Topographical Engineers. This book, published in 1852, is his illustrated account of a two-year scientific and surveying expedition he led to Salt Lake City. He also describes his favourable impressions of the Mormons he encountered there.

Scottish-born journalist Alexander Mackay (1808-52) spent much of his career in North America. In 1846-7 he visited the United States again. This three-volume work, published in 1849, recounts his experiences and describes America's vibrant society and prosperous economy. Volume 1 focuses on New York, Philadelphia and Washington.

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was the third United States President (1801-9) and principal author of the Declaration of Independence. First published in 1853, Volume 1 of a nine-volume edition of his writings includes his autobiography and letters written up to and during his 1784-9 mission to Europe.

Here reissued in its 1819 second edition, this 1818 book by the political reformer William Cobbett (1763-1835) describes a year he spent farming on Long Island after fleeing England. Analysing the climate, soil, crops and economics, Cobbett disputes claims that the mid-West is an ideal destination for British emigrants.

Published before the outcome of the conflict was known, this account of the American Revolution by the Abbe Raynal (1713-69) was first published in English in 1781. It is taken from the last volume of his influential Philosophy and Political History of the East and West Indies.

Finnish-Swedish botanist Peter Kalm (1716-79) forged important scientific links between his country and England and North America through his extensive travels in and notes about the latter, which were translated into English via German and published in three volumes in 1770-1.

Frederick Marryat (1792-1848) is remembered today as a novelist, but also wrote non-fiction. He spent 1837-8 travelling in North America, and published six volumes of observations in 1839. He was fascinated by the drive of Americans, but considered the country and people too heterogeneous to form a 'nation'.

The lawyer John Adams (1735-1826) became a central figure in the American Revolution and is regarded as a father of the United States Constitution. Published in 1850-6, this collection includes diaries, correspondence and essays. Volume 7 focuses on Adams' 1777-82 mission to negotiate a treaty with Britain.

George Washington (1732-1799) was the first president of the United States, having led the Continental army to victory against the British during the American War of Independence. This 1807 biography (here reissued in the 1858 Boston edition) documents his military career and campaigns, and his terms as president.

First published in 1821, just six years after he had witnessed the British campaigns in Washington and New Orleans, Gleig's chronicle provides a glimpse of the impressions, sentiments and attitudes fostered by those who fought some of the most influential battles in British and American history.

The 'Travelling Bachelor' who is named as author on the original title page of this two-volume work is in fact James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851). In the Notions of the Americans, Cooper's purpose was to reveal this brand-new nation to his own countrymen as well as to Europeans.

Published in 1833, Men and Manners in America serves as a discerning and thorough study of the beginnings of American democracy, and as a delightfully unintended example of the 'prejudices natural to an [nineteenth- century] Englishman'. Volume 1 describes Hamilton's experiences of New York, Boston, New England, and Philadelphia.

Each of the 119 landscape engravings in this two-volume book is accompanied by a short essay. The authors' intention is to bring to the reader at home the sensations of travel which 'those whose lot is domestic and retired' would never be in a position to experience for themselves.

Anna Jameson (1794-1860) was an inspirational figure to young nineteenth-century feminists. The publication of this three-volume book in 1838 secured her growing literary reputation. It records her impressions of the Great Lakes region, its weather, landscape, society and inhabitants, and includes literary reflections, particularly on the German Romantics.

First published in 1841, these letters from American statesman John Adams (1735-1826) to his wife reveal Adams' reactions to world events in the context of the creation of the United States as a nation. Volume 1 covers the early years of Adams' political career, from 1774 to 1777.

Appointed Major General in 1775, George Washington was one of the most significant witnesses to the American Revolutionary War. Published in 1795, Volume 1 of these letters to Congress provides unique insights into the military strategies and political wrangling that characterized the first eighteen months of the conflict.

George Combe (1788-1858) was an influential British phrenologist. These volumes, first published in 1841, contain Combe's account of a phrenological lecture tour he undertook in the United States between 1838-1840, and provide valuable details concerning nineteenth-century American society. Volume 1 covers his stay in New England.

Published in 1862, this two-volume work is Anthony Trollope's first-hand account of North American culture during the American Civil War. Volume 1 focuses on Canada and the northern United States, in particular Boston, New England and New York. It also discusses women's rights and American education and religion.

Fur trader Alexander Henry (1765-1814) and geographer David Thompson (1770-1857) were employees of the Northwest Company. Their unpublished journals were edited by the ornithologist Elliott Coues (1842-99) and appeared in 1897 in three volumes; in this two-volume reissue the index volume is included in Volume 2.

Published in 1860, this is a two-volume account of expeditions to investigate underexplored areas of Canada and their agricultural and mineral potential. Illustrated with plates based on photographs, this work by geologist Henry Youle Hind (1823-1908) remains a classic of nineteenth-century exploration literature, intended for a broad readership.

Sir James Edward Alexander (1803-85), an officer in the British Army, travelled the world extensively and published over a dozen fascinating accounts of his journeys. In this two-volume work, published in 1833, he offers his insights into the landscapes, peoples and practices of the Americas.

Anna Jameson (1794-1860) was an inspirational figure to young nineteenth-century feminists. The publication of this three-volume book in 1838 secured her growing literary reputation. It records her impressions of the Great Lakes region, and includes literary reflections, particularly on the German Romantics. Volume 1 focuses on Ontario in winter.

Volume 1 of this 1846 work contains an account of the voyage to Newfoundland of Sir Richard Levinge (1811-84), army officer and sportsman, and his experiences on the eastern seaboard of Canada and the United States, conveying the dangers and attractions of the area for the traveller and hunter.

The American Romantic artist George Catlin (1796-1872) travelled widely during the 1830s, documenting the vanishing cultures of the Native Americans. In 1841 he published this two-volume account of his experiences, including over 300 drawings of people, artifacts, and animals. Volume 1 focuses on the Crow, Blackfeet and Mandan peoples.

James Silk Buckingham (1786-1855), traveller and writer, left for North America in 1837 and spent nearly four years there. He visited every state except Florida and Arkansas, recounting his experiences in this three-volume work, published in 1841. Volume 1 focuses on his time in New York, Washington and Baltimore.

The Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804-1806 to the west coast of America was commissioned by President Jefferson to survey the newly acquired territory of Louisiana. Their mapping of the Missouri river and establishment of relations with native tribes were of vital importance to the westward settlement of America.