In 1832-34 German scientist Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied traveled the interior regions of North America to document what he regarded as vanishing cultures. Accompanying him was the twenty-two-year-old Swiss artist Karl Bodmer (1809-93), whom Maximilian employed to create a "faithful and vivid image" of America and its people. Upon their return to Europe, Maximilian began the difficult task of turning his field notes and journals into a readable...