With the description "Iceland: Land and People," the Scandinavian scholar Philipp Schweitzer (1846-1890) dedicated himself to a heartfelt topic. He, who gained some fame through his history of Scandinavian literature, reports here from personal observation about all aspects of Icelandic life around 1880. In addition to geography and society, he was particularly interested in history, literature, and the Icelandic language. Schweitzer's enthusiasm, especially when describing volcanic activity or the hazards encountered while traveling in and around Iceland, is a delight for every reader. Furthermore, Schweitzer shares many additional details and interesting facts, making the book, in his spirit, a handbook that conveys the essentials about Iceland and its people. More peculiar, however, are the boiling mud pits. Hot, sulfurous steam flows from cracks in the ground there.