“Wulf’s beautifully written account of the voyage, following Forster’s captivating record, is carefully attentive to historical and cultural circumstances … Wulf tells Forster’s story with sympathy underpinned by detached analysis. As well as tracking him through libraries and archives, she followed his trail across Europe and the South Pacific, her travels adding depth to his striking impressions. Her text brings every scene to life, from Tahitian shores to London alleys, from the dusty library of Vilnius to the hectic streets of Paris. With clear maps, fine illustrations, and meticulous notes and bibliography, this is a work of scholarship. But it is also an exhilarating work of historical imagination, recording the life of an extraordinary traveler, writer, and revolutionary figure with rare vitality and power” – Jenny Uglow in New York Review