This fascinating volume illuminates nineteenth-century America asseen from the perspective of one of the most notable women ever tocome from India.Pandita Ramabai (1858-1922), renowned for her amazing learning, went on to become a world-famous social reformer and speaker. When Ramabai's travels brought her to the United States, she could not help committing her perceptions to writing. This volume, presenting for the first time in English the full text of Ramabai's remarkable work, can be compared with that of Alexis de Tocqueville. In these pages, Ramabai describes and assesses America's institutions, as reflected in domestic conditions, education, religion, government and business. While upholding aspects of American life as ideals for her own country, especially in her concern for the place of women, Ramabai also makes insightful criticisms of modern life in the United States.Including a lengthy biographical introduction to Ramabai by editorRobert Eric Frykenberg, this volume offers readers a valuable perspective on American life -- and a rare opportunity for self-reflection.