Unbeaten Tracks in Japan
Isabella L. Bird
Read by Availle
Isabella Lucy Bird was a 19th century English traveller, writer, and natural historian. She was a sickly child, however, while she was travelling she was almost always healthy. Her first trip, in 1854, took her to America, visiting relatives. Her first book, The Englishwoman in America was published anonymously two years later.
Unbeaten Tracks in Japan is compiled of the letters she sent to her sister during her 7 months sojourn in Japan in 1878. Her travels there took her from Edo (now called Tokyo) through the interior - where she was often the first foreigner the locals had met - to Niigata, and from there to Aomori. There she crossed over to Yezo (Hokkaido), and her account on the life of the Ainu, an indigenous people of Japan, provides an interesting glimpse of days long past. (Summary by Availle) (12 hr 56 min)
Chapters
| Preface | 6:31 | Read by Availle |
| Letter I | 13:45 | Read by Availle |
| Letter II | 3:09 | Read by Availle |
| Letter III | 12:58 | Read by Availle |
| Letter IV | 13:46 | Read by Availle |
| Letter V | 28:00 | Read by Availle |
| Letter VI part 1 | 24:30 | Read by Availle |
| Letter VI part 2 | 21:18 | Read by Availle |
| Letter VII | 5:43 | Read by Availle |
| Letter VIII | 20:46 | Read by Availle |
| Letter IX | 6:46 | Read by Availle |
| Letter X part 1 | 17:17 | Read by Availle |
| Letter X part 2 | 8:55 | Read by Availle |
| Letter X part 3 | 8:08 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XI | 31:30 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XII part 1 | 10:35 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XII part 2 | 5:29 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XIII | 18:46 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XIV | 6:53 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XV | 10:37 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XVI | 13:33 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XVII | 20:49 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XVIII | 21:02 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XIX | 16:58 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XX part 1 | 6:27 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XX part 2 | 15:16 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XX part 3 | 5:34 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXI | 10:35 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXII | 4:20 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXIII | 10:07 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXIV | 11:39 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXV | 11:56 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXVI | 19:39 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXVII | 10:31 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXVIII part 1 | 16:12 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXVIII part 2 | 8:01 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXIX | 6:10 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXX | 5:55 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXXI | 5:36 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXXII | 15:33 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXXIII | 4:26 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXXIV | 3:45 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXXV part 1 | 37:07 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXXV part 2 | 6:11 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXXVI part 1 | 20:02 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXXVI part 2 | 23:20 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXXVII part 1 | 15:54 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXXVII part 2 | 22:23 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXXVII part 3 | 30:00 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXXVIII | 8:01 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXXIX part 1 | 18:24 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XXXIX part 2 | 6:48 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XL part 1 | 16:56 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XL part 2 | 14:07 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XLI | 22:22 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XLII | 3:54 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XLIII | 3:57 | Read by Availle |
| Letter XLIV | 7:33 | Read by Availle |
Reviews
A fascinating listen
Fulvia G
A fascinating glimpse into another world and another time. I really enjoyed the narrative. Well written and well read for the most part, just some mispronunciation of English words distracted me a little.
Beautiful and harrowing
Sophie
An absolute treasure of a story from Japan's rocky but intriguing past. The descriptions of Japan's vast and wild landscape is both extraordinary and haunting, including horrendous animal abuse and the fascinating life of the aborigines. Isabella is such an inspiration and has definitely awoken a strong wanderlust in me. The reason I chose this book in the first place is the calm and earthly voice of the reader. Her pronunciations of any japanese words is without fault and is a treat to listen to. keep up the good work!
A LibriVox Listener
I have listened to this many times - Availle is a fantastic reader & there's so much to learn about old Japan seen through the eyes of a Victorian Englishwoman with all the prejudice & primness of the time but still, there is a lot of valuable information here - life was so very different not so long ago - naked men everywhere and straw boots for horses & silent staring crowds attending - great journey!
One very adventurous woman
Dennis Murray
A wonderful insight into pre-modern Japan. Passing through at times very rough tracks in sometimes very bad weather Isabella Bird proves to be a determined traveler. The writing is elegant and compelling. Wonderfully read by Availle who has lovely clear tone.
What a woman!
A LibriVox Listener
Such a fascinating account of an unexplored time in Japanese history. Isabella Bird is surely an intrepid traveler. The reader is excellent and makes the book come alive: Ms. Bird hardly needs help with that. Her descriptive narrative is faultless.
Couldn't put it down
Chubber
Beautifully read glimpse into old Japan, heavily filtered through western ideas of civilization, though very open minded. One of the best first person travel logs I have read.
Japan in 1878
A LibriVox Listener
Interesting account of Ms. Bird’s travels in Japan. The reader is excellent and can read the foreign names smoothly.
Reflections of a tough old Bird
Stevem
Very informative observations about pre-industrial, post Edo era Japan well and intelligently read.