Anderson, E.L. Six Weeks in Norway. Cincinnati: Robert Clarke and Co., 1877.   80 pages.

Written by a wealthy horse expert from America, Six Weeks in Norway follows the personal travels of 33 year-old Edward Lowell Anderson, author of over 13 books concerning horsemanship such as Modern Horsemanship: Three Schools of Riding, How to Ride and School a Horse with a System of Horse Gymnastics and The Gallop, as he completes a relaxing loop around Norway in July and August of 1875 in the company of his wife. Published by Robert Clarke and Co., a prominent non-fiction, late 19^th century house based in Cincinnati,[1] Anderson’s account reads like a travel guide for well-to-do American tourists, wishing to experience all the beautiful scenery (harbors, lakes, hills, valleys, rivers) and ample hunting opportunities (bears, elk, reindeer, salmon) that the romantic Northern frontier can offer.          
Traveling by ship, rail and horse-drawn carriage, Anderson and his wife pursue a route beginning in Copenhagen and progressing North to Christiania, Throndhjem, Aak, Bergen and then back to Christiania, ultimately completely a circle around the perimeter of Norway. Along the way, Anderson names specific tour guides and station houses that he finds to be accomodating, while also describing, in great detail, the characteristics of the mountainous landscape and his impressions of the “intelligent, sober and honest” Norwegian people (pp. 74). Although peppered with historial facts of the region such as the location of King Olaf’s battles and the site of a Norwegian peasant ambush on Scottish troops aiding Sweden, the motivation behind Anderson’s excursion appears to have little to do with exploring Scandinavian history and everything to do with the purchase of a “good Norwegian pony” (pp. 52).[2] 
Taking place within 10 years of the end of the American Civil War and during the final years of a significant Norwegian economic boom (which is not noted in the text), Anderson completes his delightful excursion in a period of relative peace and prosperity, which is suggested by his excessive spending habits (paying the post-boy one dollar for every mile he accompanies them, “securing the best horses” to pull their carriage and finding “comfortable rooms and good tables” at hotels along their route) and the immense generosity of Norwegians from every class who treat Anderson as though he is “a welcome friend and not a strange wayfarer” (pp.28, 32, 40).    
Anderson concludes his account by listing the best months of the year to travel in Norway and, for a second time, describing the excellent hunting and fishing prospects for the traveling sportsman. (LB 2005)