Appleton, Nathan. Russian Life and Society. Boston, Massachusetts. Murray and Company Press, 1904.

Nathan Appleton, a Harvard graduate and part of a wealthy American family, which funds his trip to Russia, and previous officer in the Union Army, journeys to Russia in 1869 . Coming from Harvard College in Boston, his reflection upon the people living in his hometown of Boston, is constantly reflected in his letters to his family. A strong since of U.S. identity is seen in his work with examples read in his book detailing emancipation in Russia and a positive view of Abraham Lincoln expressed through his ideas.

Appleton’s book is a traveler’s account of Russia along with Paris, during the later 1800’s. While preparing to journey to Russia, much time is spent in Paris writing to family, whereby we see the authors personal thoughts expressed in his letters, with regards to the French people, landscape and the authors personal touring of the city. It is also important to note that Appleton is tutored to speak French and Russian, while in Paris, in order to better communicate with the French and Russians that he will encounter. The book takes you through Brussels, Berlin, Wilna and then to St. Petersburg. All of his traveling is done through sailing and riding the train where he spends his time writing and receiving continuous notes from his family. While in Wilna or Vilnus, it is important to note Appleton’s first impression of Russian landscape and culture. He focuses strongly, on the beggars in the streets and that, "The queer costumes of the people, neither Asiatic or European, and their manners in which the patriarchal reverence for authority of the East is tinged with the curiosity and thirst for knowledge of the West, make you regard them as a sort of stepping stone or connecting link between Eastern and Western customs and civilization" (76). Most of the authors reflections upon Russia and Society are based on the political aspects of the country but also smaller aspects of Russian life including education, daily chores etc.. After the authors time in both St. Petersburg and Moscow, he travels back to Paris. In the end the author writes about the emancipation in Russia under the rule of Alexander 2 and the outcome it lead to in Russia.

The author’s account of Russia and its society, which takes place during the time of emancipation in Russia 1861 and after the emancipation of slaves by Abraham Lincoln, is unlike other accounts because it focuses on two aspects of Russian life. The first is of course the Russian people and the society they live in, however the second focus is a strong reflection upon emancipation of the serfs but more importantly Abraham Lincoln’s ideas on emancipation. This reflection notes a strong since of American identity leaving to question whether the authors attitudes and ideas about Russia and its society, may be slightly skewed in terms of more positive aspects, which he fails to note enough, throughout his book. (JP 2005)