Family interests in the Middle East together with his mother's Armenian ancestry led him to undertake a number of extensive journeys to the country at the end of the nineteenth century, which form the basis of this work. Covering both Russian and Turkish Armenia, Lynch's detailed observations of Armenia, together with the statistical and political information he includes, ensure that these two volumes remain the definitive account in English up to the massacres of 1915. Richly illustrated and with a new introduction by Simon Payaslian, who holds the Chair in Modern Armenian History and Literature, Boston University, this handsome set will be welcomed by all seeking a readable yet informative account that offers insights that remain relevant to this day.