Women, Travel, and Science in Nineteenth-Century Americas

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The book explores the intricate relationships between the United States, Brazil, and Mexico in the nineteenth century through the travel narratives of Frances Calderón de la Barca and Elizabeth Cary Agassiz. Drawing inspiration from Alexander von Humboldt, these women enhance his perspectives on the tropics by incorporating social dimensions related to nature, culture, race, and progress. Gerassi-Navarro emphasizes the unique contributions of women as observers and examines the complex ties between the U.S. and Latin America, blending science, politics, and aesthetics within transnational contexts.