In 1860 Richard Burton was at a crossroads in his life. Most of his great feats had been accomplished and the foundations of his fame as Arabist and African explorer were laid. Uncertain whether or not to marry and upset by his rift with his former companion, Speke, Burton decided to tour America. For nine months he travelled through every state of the Union and Lower Canada, investigating slavery, Mormonism, the position of women and red Indians etc. He returned to Britain and married, but in 1865 was posted as Consul to Brazil. For the next four years Burton travelled in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Peru, recording his impressions and meeting notable figures. This book deals with Burton's years in America and it throws new light on Burton's character.