O’Grady, Alix, edited R. A. Pierce, From the Baltic to Russian America, 1829-1836: The Journey of Elizabeth von Wrangell. Limestone Press. Softbound. 297 pages. $28.00.

Elisabeth Rossillon Wrangell set off in 1829 from Estonia, newly married to the new governor of Russian America, Baron Ferdinand von Wrangell, with great anticipation of the wonderful adventure ahead of her.

A daughter of a baron herself, the proper young woman was fascinated with every aspect of her 12,000-mile journey and wrote long letters home. Luckily, her father knew they’d be valuable some day and saved them. Also, luckily for us, her observations of people and places were astute as well as charming.

When they arrived in Sitka after the 18-month journey, which now included their new baby, Elizabeth reported. "The closer we approached Sitka the livelier the water became, for an incredible number of Kolosh [Tlingits] considered it their duty to come out and pay us their respects in their fragile and rather simply constructed canoes. Toyon Na’uskes impressed them with "his impressive appearance and his proud Kolosh bearing." His retinue wore "a kind of Roman toga which lends them a most distinguished air."

She not only sent along a plan of the governor’s house, but how she furnished the reception room, and mentioned the geraniums and carnation on the window sill in her bedroom, as well as the piano kind Khlebnikov had donated to the house.

Elizabeth proceeded to teach the young Native and Creole women waltzes and quadrilles so visiting gentlemen could have partners at the many balls the Wrangells gave. She wrote: "They dance well, keeping in rhythm, and although they may bob up and down more than is the custom at home, it looks a lot more fun."

She wrote "The officials are energetic people - tough characters; they have to be, for simpletons and weaklings would not make it this far."

O’Grady adds a great deal about the situation and landscape around Sitka and the activities of the Russian American Company in general.

The book intersperses Elizabeth’s letters with those of her husband, one of the best governors the colony ever had. He was busy with company matters, but took time to write of his love and admiration for his dear wife.

The letters also talk about the trip home via Mexico. Ferdinand had been dispatched as a diplomat to discuss the colony at Fort Ross, California, with the newly independent country. They then sailed to Russia via Europe. Elizabeth was said to be the only woman to go around the world without crossing the Equator.

Somehow this excellent book has been overlooked by the public. It’s time it was discovered.

D. L.