James Shaw, a Minister from northern Ireland, traveled to the U.S. in 1854 and spent 12 years there. While there he traveled a great deal, and also stayed in Illinois for a number of years. The book was written along the lines of a series of addresses he gave in 1866 and 1867, after his return to Ireland. Chapter headings, and some of the topics listed there, are:

-The Voyage Over.
-Westward Travel. Chicago, Bloomington.
-The Country and its Resources. Physical aspects, Climate, Minerals and Metals.
-Fauna and Flora, Zoology and Ornithology.
-The South and West, the Future Field of Emigration. Texas, New Mexico, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kansas (and other states).
-Illinois, the Garden State. Development of the North-West, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Commercial Facilities.
-American Life and Character. Aborigines, African, Anglo-Saxon, Marriage and Divorce, Parents and Children.
-The Late War and its Lessons. Slavery, Cherokee Indians, Fugitive Slave Law and its Victims.
-Old and New America. Nations Second Birth, Emigration.
-The American Churches. Evangelical Churches, Temperance, Bible, Missionary Societies, Colleges, Press.
-American Revivals. The Great Awakening and Revival of 1857-58. Public Prayer Meetings.
-The Randolph Grove Circuit. Illinois Conference.
-Bloomington West Charge. Church Courts in America, Revivals, Methodist Episcopal and Protestant Episcopal churches.
-Petersburgh Station. Financial Crisis and Indian Rebellion.
-Oldtown Circuit.
-Decatur Circuit.
-Clinton Station. Revival and Conversions, Death and Funerals of Soldiers.
-Rushville Station. Travels through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio by Railroad.
-Atlanta Station.
-The Church of a Hundred Years. Generic and Specific Forms, Historical Development.
-Methodist Centenary Celebrations.
-The Canada Confederation.