Mary Morris, a respected travel writer in her own right, compiled this sparkling, sometimes surprising anthology of women's travel writing. Edith Wharton, Margaret Mead, Willa Cather and Joan Didion - I only need mention these names to express the calibre of the work included.

It was so interesting to note each woman's reaction to a foreign culture, or to the act of traveling, itself. Some marveled, some removed themselves a slight distance, cooly observing; some immersed themselves in the experience, completely present in the here-and-now of which they were writing.

There were heart-warming stories of kindness and friendship across cultural divides; there were surprising stories like that of one woman's opium addiction which was acquired and cured in China. There were frightening, thrilling stories of danger just avoided.

I appreciated the variety of experiences and styles that Morris chose to include.

Maiden Voyages was the perfect armchair traveling companion. I defintely give it the highest marks! ( )