This isn't your typical travel diary. In Ultima Thule, Burton lands in Iceland with the energy of a detective. The 'plot' is his journey across the island, but the real story is in the encounters. He visits the site of the ancient parliament, climbs volcanoes, and endures brutal weather, all while collecting tales of elves, trolls, and hidden people. A central thread is his almost obsessive search for old Icelandic manuscripts and sagas, believing they hold lost knowledge. He argues with scholars, questions farmers, and pieces together a portrait of a culture clinging to myth in the face of an unforgiving environment.

Why You Should Read It

Burton's voice is what makes this special. He's brilliant, opinionated, and sometimes hilariously grumpy. You feel like you're right there with him, shivering in the cold or getting excited about a weird rock formation. He treats Icelandic folklore not as silly superstition, but as a key to understanding how people make sense of their world. The book is a fascinating snapshot of a moment when ancient oral traditions were bumping up against modern science, all filtered through the perspective of a man who believed in exploring every idea, no matter how strange.

Final Verdict

Perfect for armchair adventurers and anyone who loves personality-driven non-fiction. If you enjoy travel writing with attitude, history that feels alive, or just want to spend time in the company of a truly eccentric Victorian genius, this is your book. It's not a quick, easy read—Burton's prose can be dense—but it's incredibly rewarding. Think of it as a long, fascinating letter from the past, from one of the world's greatest explorers.