The Uncivilized Races of Men in All Countries of the World: Being a Comprehensive Account of Their Manners and Customs, and of Their Physical, Social, Mental, Moral and Religious Characteristics

The Uncivilized Races of Men in All Countries of the World was authored by the English naturalist John George Wood and first published in 1868. Conceived as a two-volume set, it aimed to provide a comprehensive ethnographic overview of indigenous cultures as perceived by the Victorian intellectual establishment. Wood, a prolific writer of popular science, compiled this work by synthesizing observations from explorers and travelers, reflecting the era's immense curiosity about global geography and social structures during the peak of British imperial expansion.

The design of the volumes is notable for its extensive use of wood engravings, which were intended to visualize the 'manners and customs' described in the text for a domestic audience. These illustrations were crafted to offer a detailed, albeit strictly Eurocentric, examination of physical and religious characteristics of various societies. While the work enjoyed popularity as an accessible educational resource in the late 19th century, contemporary scholars now view it primarily as a lens through which to examine Victorian perspectives on race, classification, and colonial anthropology.