Travels in Kamtschatka

Jean-Baptiste Barthélemy de Lesseps' "Travels in Kamtschatka" is a captivating travelogue that provides readers with a detailed account of his journey through the remote and rugged region of Kamchatka in the Russian Far East. Written in a vivid and descriptive style, the book offers a unique glimpse into the natural beauty, indigenous cultures, and challenges faced by explorers in this untamed land. Lesseps' narrative is both informative and engaging, making it a valuable resource for those interested in exploration literature and Russian history during the 18th century. His attention to detail and ability to convey the essence of the Kamchatka landscape through his prose set this work apart as a significant contribution to travel literature of the period. Jean-Baptiste Barthélemy de Lesseps, a French explorer and naturalist, embarked on his journey to Kamchatka with a spirit of curiosity and adventure. His firsthand experiences and observations in the region inspired him to document his travels in this book, shedding light on a remote corner of the world unknown to many in Europe at the time. Lesseps' background as a naturalist and explorer equipped him with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the challenging terrain of Kamchatka and interact with its inhabitants. I highly recommend "Travels in Kamtschatka" to readers interested in exploration narratives, Russian history, and naturalist literature. Lesseps' account offers a fascinating glimpse into a lesser-known region of the world and provides valuable insights into the cultural and natural landscapes of Kamchatka. This book is a testament to the spirit of exploration and discovery that continues to inspire readers today.

Auteur
Jean-Baptiste Barthélemy de Lesseps (1766-1834) was a French diplomat and writer, member of the scientific expedition of the French Naval officer and explorer Jean-François de Galaup (1785-1788), and uncle of Ferdinand de Lesseps. His appointment as Vice-Consul of France to Kronstadt kept him clear of the violence of the French Revolution.

Résumé
This book features a travel account of the scientific expedition led by the French Naval officer and explorer Jean-François de Galaup, count of La Pérouse, written from the perspective of a diplomat who had joined the expedition as an interpreter. The expedition's aims were to complete the Pacific discoveries of James Cook, whom La Pérouse greatly admired, correct and complete maps of the area, establish trade contacts, open new maritime routes and enrich French science and scientific collections. The journey started in August 1785 and took the ships south across the Atlantic Ocean, around Cape Horn to the Pacific, stopping at Easter Island, Hawaii, modern-day Alaska, Macao, Manila, the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk and then to the port of Saints Peter and Saint Paul, now Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on the eastern side of the Kamchatka Peninsula. Here they rested from their trip, and enjoyed the hospitality of the Russians and Kamchatkans. In letters received from Paris, La Pérouse was ordered to investigate the settlement the British were establishing in New South Wales, Australia. De Lesseps then used a carriage to travel through Krasnoyarsk, Achinsk, Tomsk, Tobolsk, Tyumen, Yekaterinburg, and Kungur in the Ural Mountains to Kazan, where he was injured in an accident. To avoid being caught for another winter, he pressed on to Nizhniy Novgorod, then (Veliky) Novgorod, reaching Saint Petersburg, his intended destination in September 1788, more than a year after he started. Given the subsequent loss of both ships, by leaving at Petropavlovsk, de Lesseps became one of three members of the original cast to survive the La Pérouse expedition.