Around the World in Eighty Days (Illustrated First Edition): 100th Anniversary Collection

Having loved the recent Masterpiece Theater interpretation of this classic story, I wanted to read the book. I am not disappointed. Though the story was completely overhauled by talented PBS people, the original is a beautiful period work of art that I am enjoying very much. The Sea Wolf Press illustrated edition is a bonus part of the experience--very readable font (easy on aging eyes) and physically easy to hold, with a jacketless cover that is comfortably tactile. I will be buying more Seawolf Press editions of classics.

Well, my ex got me interested enough in the new miniseries starring David Tennant that I watched it all the way through, and it was obvious to me the story had been reimagined, to say the least. But reimagined by how much? The only way to answer that was to watch other screen adaptations, and so I watched the epic movie from 1956, the miniseries from 1989, the Disney version from 2004 (yikes!), and a cartoon version from 1988. Well, there are common elements, but they're all a bit different too. What to do?Read the original story, I thought to myself. Yes, actually read a book.So I was very thankful to download the Kindle version of this book and read it as a "brain break" as I was working on other things on my computer. The old illustrations were a bonus.Well, it's a great story, apparently so great that nobody can just leave it alone and reproduce it faithfully. The glaring omission from the book is the balloon that seems to have to be in every screen adaptation that I've seen.My takeaway from this story is that in 1872, when it was published, it wasn't science fiction but it was very recently created reality that perhaps few knew about. The Suez canal had just been completed in 1869, passenger steamers to cross huge bodies of water were very recent, as were railroads crossing vast areas of land, as in India and the United States. Most of the stops on the trip were past, present, or soon-to-be British empire colonies. So, it might have been amazing to people of that era that all of a sudden, and with a little planning, a person could actually circle the world in eighty days. And, that probably stood the test of time pretty well until passenger aircraft went mainstream.And, Jules Verne's ending is better than any of the screen adaptations I've watched. It took my by surprise and even got me choked up a bit. Sometimes you've just gotta go back to the source material.

I’m reading classics with my son. Why aren’t these read in schools?? This book is fantastic! My son (age 10) and I both enjoyed this book. And also Journey to the Center of the Earth, also by Jules Verne. Excellent books that I have recommended since reading them. Will definitely continue reading Jules Verne.

Feels high quality in your hands.

great story

Handy for travel

My husband has loved re reading all of the classics! Best presents ever!

Every home library should have this classic!

There is no room for discussion: This is Jules Verne at his absolute best (but taking nothing away from his other great works). This is a marvelous tale that has enthralled generations of readers and will continue to do so far, far into the future. It is a story of adventure and of how perseverance can overcome seemingly impossible obstacles and, lest we forget, it is also a love story!Brilliantly written by one of story-telling's masters, this journey around the world provides the reader with a magnificent escape and a great travelogue experience.

The boos is like a dream being fulfilled. I am super excited about it

Great story, characters, pplot, intrigue, adventure. Nothing like modern 'lefty do-gooder' adaptations...perfect.

Un libro muy bonito

思ったより素晴らしい！１００％満足しています。