Vine and Olive; Or, Young America in Spain and Portugal / A Story of Travel and Adventure

Name: Vine and Olive; Or, Young America in Spain and Portugal / A Story of Travel and Adventure
Author: Oliver Optic

By Oliver Optic

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Adventure Children & Young Adult Reading Travel Writing

About This Book

The narrative follows an academy squadron of young students who cruise the coasts of Spain and Portugal and make extensive inland excursions, supplemented by a professor’s lectures and a ship surgeon’s travel-talks that provide historical and maritime context. The travelogue describes ports, cities, and monuments—including Barcelona, Madrid, Toledo, Granada and the Alhambra, Seville, and Lisbon—while episodic adventure material is woven through, featuring a plot about incendiaries and a young Spanish officer, encounters with local customs, a bull-fight, and various onshore incidents that punctuate the instructional journey.

About the Author

Oliver Optic

Oliver Optic was the pen name of William Taylor Adams, an American author known for his prolific contributions to children's literature in the 19th century. He wrote over 80 books, many of which are adventure tales aimed at young readers, emphasizing themes of courage, friendship, and moral integrity. His notable works include "A Lieutenant at Eighteen" and "Across India; Or, Live Boys in the Far East," which reflect his ability to engage and inspire youth through storytelling. Optic's narratives often feature boys embarking on exciting journeys, making him a significant figure in the genre of boys' adventure fiction.