There are few, if any, books about nineteenth century piano tuners. Their lives might be expected to be unexciting and their experiences unremarkable. But the life of Robert Wrede, especially as told in his journal, was far from dull.

In the three years he documents (October 1837 - January 1841), he travelled from England to Cape Town, Sydney, to the young Melbourne, and to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania), Adelaide, Surabaya, Singapore, three cities in India, and a number of small islands in between. He was almost lost at sea on several occasions, and suffered numerous horse riding or carriage accidents.

Witty, piognant, romantic, sharply observed and full of set-piece action, the journal tells the fascinating story of a young man who was only twenty years old when he began his great adventure.

He became an accomplished marksman, learned sufficient of the art of navigation to be able to take over from a drunken Captain, played in an historic cricket match, was involved in various romantic episodes, and jumped into the empty grave of one of the most notable figures in history. Meanwhile he tuned dozens of pianos and dined out on hundreds of occasions.

Merchant and traveller. Robert Wrede emigrated to New South Wales on the Upton Castle, arriving in January 1838. He travelled to Port Phillip, Adelaide and Van Diemen's Land, selling pianos and other musical instruments. He left Sydney in August 1839 and returned to England via India. He later settled in Australia. This is the first published transcription of the remarkable journal of Robert Wrede, and it includes extensive notes and a short biography prepared by the journals editor, Peter Nicholls.