The fifteen studies making up this book discuss the interaction of Westerners with the Islamic East and beyond. In the earlier years this involved mainly the journeys and explorations of diplomatic envoys and consuls, merchants and missionaries. But in the early nineteenth century were added such factors as the intellectual and artistic curiosity of scholars and antiquarians lured by exotic lands. Soon tourism exploded as well. The various experiences and discoveries of individuals from all these groups are here described and discussed.