A hundred years before backpacking became a modern phenomenon, Theodor Müller embarked on an extraordinary nineteen-year journey across the Australian outback. Arriving from Switzerland in 1857, Müller traversed the rugged landscapes from Brisbane to Gundagai, living as a swagman and documenting a world of bushrangers, pioneering settlers, and untamed wilderness.
This compelling memoir offers a unique, unvarnished portrait of colonial Australia through the eyes of an observant and intrepid stranger. Originally published in German in 1876, the text is now presented in a vibrant English edition, meticulously translated by Frank Pammer and enriched with historical insights, maps, and illustrations. Müller’s writing remains remarkably authentic, capturing his experiences truthfully without unnecessary embellishment. The Swiss Swagman serves as a captivating historical record for anyone fascinated by the reality of nineteenth-century exploration, the development of the Australian frontier, or the life of a traveller long before the era of mass tourism. It is a brilliant, immersive account that brings the spirit of a bygone era to life for the modern reader.
Used (good, see images, some markings, binding intact but visible in places, minor cover wear, some cover markings, and rear sticker mark) Softcover ISBN 192122102X
