American Notes

American Notes is a travelogue that recounts Kipling's experiences during his visit to the United States in the late 19th century. Through his keen observations and sharp wit, Kipling provides a detailed and often critical analysis of American culture, society, and its rapid industrialization. He contrasts these elements with his British sensibilities, offering both admiration and skepticism in his reflections on the young nation's progress, innovation, and way of life.

Joseph Rudyard Kipling (30 December 1865 – 18 January 1936) was an English short-story writer, poet, and novelist. He was born in Bombay, in the Bombay Presidency of British India, and was taken by his family to England when he was five years old. Near the end of his time at the school, it was decided that he lacked the academic ability to get into Oxford University on a scholarship and so his father obtained a job for him in Lahore, Punjab. Kipling was to be assistant editor of a small local newspaper, the Civil & Military Gazette. On 9 March 1889, Kipling left India, travelling first to San Francisco via Rangoon, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan. He then travelled through the United States, writing articles for The Pioneer. In the course of this journey, he met Mark Twain. He then crossed the Atlantic, and reached Liverpool in October 1889. On 18 January 1892, he married Carrie Balestier. According to the English magazine Masonic Illustrated, he became a Freemason in about 1885, before the usual minimum age of 21. He was initiated into Hope and Perseverance Lodge No. 782 in Lahore. At the beginning of World War I, like many other writers, he wrote pamphlets and poems which enthusiastically supported the UK's war aims. In September 1914, he was asked by the British government to write propaganda, an offer that he immediately accepted. He actively encouraged his young son to go to war. Kipling's son John died in the First World War, at the Battle of Loos in September 1915, at age 18. John had initially wanted to join the Royal Navy, but having had his application turned down after a failed medical examination due to poor eyesight, he opted to apply for military service as an Army officer. But again, his eyesight was an issue during the medical examination. In fact, he tried twice to enlist, but was rejected. His father had been lifelong friends with Lord Roberts, commander-in-chief of the British Army, and colonel of the Irish Guards, and at Rudyard's request, John was accepted into the Irish Guards. He was sent to Loos two days into the battle in a reinforcement contingent. He was last seen stumbling through the mud blindly, screaming in agony after an exploding shell had ripped his face apart.