These marvelous prose-and-poetry sketches by the famous poet wanderer Basho (1644-94) invoke the mysteries of the cosmos manifest in the Japanese landscape. The haiku included are acknowledged some of the best ever composed. He concludes his masterpiece with: "In this little book of travel is included everything under the sky -- not only that which is hoary and dry but also that which is young and colorful, not only that which is strong and imposing but also that which is feeble and ephemeral."  (JPN91, $13.00)

The 86 Greatest Travel Books of All Time