Vicente Blasco Ibáñez was a literary rockstar in his day, famous for novels like The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. But after the First World War, he needed a change of scenery. A big one. So, he set off on a lecture tour that turned into a full-blown circumnavigation. This second volume picks up his adventure in the United States and follows him across the Pacific.

The Story

We leave behind the Europe of Volume One and dive into America. Ibáñez is fascinated and sometimes horrified by the sheer scale and speed of life there. He experiences the booming cities, the vast plains, and the brand-new dream factory of Hollywood. Then, he sails for Asia. The heart of this volume is his journey through Japan, China, and the Philippines. He describes everything: the serene beauty of Japanese gardens, the bustling chaos of Chinese ports, the colonial tensions in Manila. He doesn't just see the sights; he talks to people. He tries to understand the soul of these places, which to a European in the 1920s, felt incredibly foreign and ancient.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this book special is the author's voice. He's not a dry historian or a stuffy academic. He's a novelist. So when he describes a geisha's performance or the smoky interior of a Chinese opium den, you feel like you're right there with him. His observations are sharp, often witty, and surprisingly modern in their curiosity. He's critical of Western imperialism when he sees its ugly side, and he has a deep respect for the cultures he visits, even when he finds them puzzling. Reading this is like having a brilliant, slightly opinionated travel companion from another era pointing out all the things you might miss.

Final Verdict

This is a gem for anyone who loves armchair travel, history, or just a really good story. It's perfect for the curious reader who wonders what the world felt like a hundred years ago. You don't need to have read the first volume to jump in. If you enjoy the personal, reflective style of travel writers like Bill Bryson or Paul Theroux, but want a historical perspective, you'll love time-traveling with Blasco Ibáñez. Just be ready for a journey that’s as much about the inner world of a thoughtful observer as it is about the outer world he explores.