Widely regarded as one of the most important literary voices of nineteenth-century America, Nathaniel Hawthorne is best known as the author of such novels as The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables. In this collection originally intended for a young-adult audience, Hawthorn ekes instructive moral lessons and fascinating facts from the life stories of prominent figures in history.

Though he is now regarded as one of the masters of American literature, Nathaniel Hawthorne spent a sizable chunk of his peak writing years living in England. This volume collects a series of essays and sketches that Hawthorne penned during his stay abroad. They offer keen insight into the differences between the two cultures and the ultimately illusory nature of the idea of "home."