About America

In 1903, Norwegian author Hans Seland traveled across the United States to meet the early emigrants who had left Norway behind in search of a new life. From the crowded streets of New York to the wide prairies of the Midwest, he recorded their voices, their hardships, and their hopes for the future. First published in 1904 in New Norwegian (Nynorsk), Seland's About America has remained largely forgotten - until now. This new English edition reintroduces his vivid account of Norwegian-American life, accompanied by rare historical photographs and expanded with new background material and a foreword by emigration scholar Per Kristian Sebak. About America is more than a travelogue; it is a portrait of faith, family, and cultural identity. It captures the language, humor, and resilience of a people bound together by heritage and hope.