berlaymont

The American Diaries of Count de Berlaymont is the first-ever English translation of a nineteenth-century French travel narrative, outlaying the adventurous travels of Count Guy de Berlaymont throughout the United States and Cuba. Perhaps most interesting are de Berlaymont’s descriptions and observations on travel, culture, and politics, which serve as firsthand historical accounting of the two countries.

Young de Berlaymont was a frequent traveler and his American adventure remained important to him throughout his life. Publication of travel accounts--particularly popular in Europe and America in the mid- to late nineteenth century--helped fulfill two needs: (1) They served as surrogates for participation for those unable to travel; and (2) They acted as authoritative descriptions of places and historical events. The value of de Berlaymont’s travel diary lies in its important source material as well as the Count’s commentaries on the distinct flavor of American life.

S.M. Harris is a retired industrialist and commentator with thirty-five years of experience in Europe as a businessman, observer, and writer about western European culture. He received advanced education in Belgium and France and is fluent in both French and German. Harris was president of two U.S.-owned manufacturing companies in France and Belgium. Prior to his industrial career, he was a reporter for a business journal as well as daily newspapers and radio. He served in the U.S. Army in England and France and participated in the Normandy invasion. Harris earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Washington in 2000 and lives on Whidbey Island in northwest Washington state.