This book is a facsimile of Arabistan, first published in 1875. The title of the work was chosen by its author to delineate the region through which he travelled in 1874, now known as the countries of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq. It is, however, the subtitle of the work which better describes the author's approach to his narrative: 'As a book of scientific exploration, this volume makes no pretentions,' he admits. 'My motive in visiting these countries was a desire to gratify a long-cherished wish to see strange and curious nations which have always held for me a strange fascination.' As a result, the narrative follows an imaginative course as the author proceeds from Alexandria to Jerusalem, thence via the Red Sea to Mecca. Along the way he provides an entertaining account of his experiences, punctuating the story with amusing anecdotes and cameos of the characters he meets en route. His journey continues through Aden to Iran, ending at Baghdad in Iraq where the author devotes much of his time to studying the marvels of that ancient city, and the customs and habits of its people. Enhanced with almost a hundred fine engravings, the book, indeed, provides an entertaining excursion into the 'Land of the Arabian Nights'.

Joseph and His Friend: A Story of Pennsylvania (1870) is a novel by Bayard Taylor. Written toward the end of Taylor's career as a prominent travel writer and poet, Joseph and His Friend: A Story of Pennsylvania has been recognized by scholars as the first gay novel in American literary history. "When they were seated side by side, and Joseph leaned his head back on the supporting arm, while the train moved away with them, he felt that a new power, a new support, had come to his life. The face upon which he looked was no longer strange; the hand which had rested on his heart was warm with kindred blood. Involuntarily he extended his own; it was taken and held, and the dark gray, courageous eyes turned to him with a silent assurance which he felt needed no words." During a train derailment, Joseph Aster sustains minor injuries and his helped by a kind stranger named Philip Held. Regaining his senses, Joseph feels an unspeakably strong spiritual and physical connection with his savior. As they become inseparable friends, Joseph's home life begins to suffer as his wife Julia asserts control over their finances, often to the benefit of her wealthy family. When tragedy strikes, Joseph has no one to turn to but Philip, a man he has grown to love more than anything in the world. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Bayard Taylor's Joseph and His Friend: A Story of Pennsylvania is a classic work of queer literature reimagined for modern readers.

Joseph and His Friend: A Story of Pennsylvania (1870) is a novel by Bayard Taylor. Written toward the end of Taylor’s career as a prominent travel writer and poet, Joseph and His Friend: A Story of Pennsylvania has been recognized by scholars as the first gay novel in American literary history. “When they were seated side by side, and Joseph leaned his head back on the supporting arm, while the train moved away with them, he felt that a new power, a new support, had come to his life. The face upon which he looked was no longer strange; the hand which had rested on his heart was warm with kindred blood. Involuntarily he extended his own; it was taken and held, and the dark gray, courageous eyes turned to him with a silent assurance which he felt needed no words.” During a train derailment, Joseph Aster sustains minor injuries and his helped by a kind stranger named Philip Held. Regaining his senses, Joseph feels an unspeakably strong spiritual and physical connection with his savior. As they become inseparable friends, Joseph’s home life begins to suffer as his wife Julia asserts control over their finances, often to the benefit of her wealthy family. When tragedy strikes, Joseph has no one to turn to but Philip, a man he has grown to love more than anything in the world. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Bayard Taylor’s Joseph and His Friend: A Story of Pennsylvania is a classic work of queer literature reimagined for modern readers.