This work presents two books from the 1880s, written and illustrated by Philadelphia bicycling enthusiasts Elizabeth Pennell and Joseph Pennell. Their travel memoirs of bike touring in England
and Italy are some of the earliest examples writing on cycling and leisure cycle touring. The books are also notable because Elizabeth Pennell was a woman journeying by cycle. Editor Dave
Buchanan (MacEwan University) offers an in-depth intro on the Pennells’ lives, careers, and cycling adventures and the reception to their cycling travel writing during their time. There is also
discussion of the innovations in the publishing industry that allowed their books to become so popular. In addition to the original b&w illustrations by Joseph Pennell, the book contains
b&w historical photos and book jackets. The book’s readership includes those interested in cycling, travel literature, Victorian literature, women’s writing, and cycling history. The book
is distributed in the US by Wayne State University Press. Annotation ©2016 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
