Book Description

Reviews (60)

A fast, action-packed adventure with both romance and danger
Before there was any kind of high-speed travel an English gentleman named Phileas Fogg betted 20,000 pounds that he can travel around the world in 80 or less days. He starts his journey in London. On his way he meets a beautiful Indian Princess. Fogg also gets mistaken for a criminal. During his whole journey he has a detective following him trying to arrest him when the warrant arrives. In the book you follow Fogg's adventures through four continents when he is racing against time. The book is fast-paced, action-packed adventure with both romance and danger.

The characters in the story were introduced very well, especially Phileas Fogg. In the beginning of the book you get to know that Fogg is a very private gentleman. He never goes to any social places except the Reform Club. A remarkable thing about Fogg is that his life is centered around the clock. He is very precise and always on time. Every day he follows the exact same schedule. Phileas Fogg does not have a wife or any kids.

The setting of the book was very jumpy. Since Fogg travels through many continents and countries the setting changes all the time. You still feel you know a little bit about every place that he comes to, even if he only stays there for a couple of hours.

When I started reading the book I thought it would be a really good book and it really did meet my standards. I would recommend it to any one who likes adventure and action. Since it is written in so many different versions a person almost any age can read it.

Mark Holy Angels Review of audiobook
Around the world in Eighty Days is a really great book. With a wonderful and thrilling adventure and some suspense. Around the world in eighty days is about a man named Phileas Fogg makes a bet with some of his fellow club members. With 20,000 pounds on the line Phileas Fogg starts his adventure right away with his servant Passepartout. But unsuspectingly are being followed by a detective named Mr. Fix who is accusing Phileas Fogg of a robbery. After many twist and turns Phileas Fogg arrives to India where he meets a young lady who's name is Aouda. Then after that he arrives to America and travels across the plains with his fellow travelers and Mr. Fix but is attacked by some enraged Indians. After making it to New York he travels across the sea to Ireland but with only less then a day left it will be pretty hard to make it in time. Read this book to see if he makes it or if he fails. I suggest this book to any reader who likes adventure and suspense.

Very Good Even If No Balloon Rides
The story is about an eccentric Englishman named Phileas Fogg who makes a twenty thousand pound bet with five of his rich country club friends to travel around the world in eighty days with his trusty servant Passepartout a Frenchman. Along the way they have to overcome many obstacles. Fogg spends most of his fortune overcoming these obstacles and if they don't win the bet he will be ruined. There are some things however that even money can't overcome and several times Fogg is faced with a moral decision that if he pursues the right thing to do will significantly set him back on time.

Their travels take them through England, Paris, the Suez Canal, Egypt, India, Hong Kong, Japan, America, and Ireland. In India they rescue a princess who stays on with them throughout the rest of their journey and a love interest grows between her and Fogg. There is also another subplot involving a bank robbery in England where 55 thousand pounds have been stolen, and Fogg is considered to be the main suspect. A detective Fix is assigned to follow Fogg and to arrest him once he sets foot on English territory.

This book seems to be split into two parts. During the first part of the book when things are going smoothly the servant Passepartout seems to be the main character. At each port Fogg stays in his cabin and just focuses on the next leg of the trip while Passepartout ventures out and gives you a description of the land. It would seem a shame to travel all around the world and not pause to take in any of the sights as Fogg does. I found most of these early chapters pretty mundane and uneventful.

The subplot with Fix at times becomes annoying, and it isn't until they are all working towards the same goal, that this line of the story improves. I also found the exchange rate between dollars and pounds confusing at times. The pound must have been about four or five times greater than the dollar at the time this story was written. Fogg leaves England with around twenty thousand pounds and spends it seems over a hundred thousand dollars on the trip.

Later on as the story progresses and things start to go wrong the focus changes over to Fogg. Passepartout still does some heroic things, but Fogg takes charge and shows some redeeming qualities. The pace of the story quickens and becomes more enjoyable with a few skirmishes taking place in India and America. Fogg seems a different person upon returning to England, and his life is changed forever.

My wife has a framed poster that hangs on one of our walls with a collage of all of the movies that have won the best picture of the year award. "Around The World In Eighty Days" won the award in 1956, and the picture is represented in the collage with the main character Phileas Fogg and his trusty servant Passepartout taking a balloon flight. Based on this picture for years I always assumed the book was about a trip in a balloon around the world. I was surprised then to find out once I finally got a chance to read the actual book that they travel by boat, train, car, sled, and even elephant, but that they never travel by balloon. It turns out that the most memorable scene from the movie was made up by the director and added on to the story. The director seemed to have come to same conclusion that I did, that the written story itself was very good, but I was expecting something a little more.

The book was written in 1873. Jules Verne the author is a Frenchman. In this day and age it was pleasing to see both England and America looked upon in such a favorable light. Englishmen were portrayed as noble and Americans were portrayed as wild and adventurous.

by David Laing
If you saw the movie that was alledgedly based on the book, and now want to read the book, don't, the movie and book have nearly nothing in common. Phileas Fog is a rich English man who during a card game makes a bet that he could go around the world in 80 days. He buys train ticket, and goes to France where he meets his personal assistant on his journey. Phileas and his French friend begin to journey around the world, but people are after Fog, because they think that he is a thief. Along the way, Fog helps out an Indian princess, who accompanies him the rest of the way, and his assistant gets lost in Japan, and joins a circus troupe accidentally. My only gripe about this book is that the ending is kind of stupid, and you feel that Verne just pulled something out of a hat at the last second for the ending. But, in the end this is a legendary adventure, and you should read it. As you could tell, I couldn't remember the French guy's name, and some other details, because I read this book about a year ago, but you should read it.

Fast Moving Action Tale
This book is the quintessential action story - quick pacing, light characterization, implausible scenarios, comic relief, and lots of fun. Verne was ahead of his time; he could have been a action flick screenwriter.

It was a quick, enjoyable read. The 'romance' left me a little flat - particularly in that it manifested itself in a way that didn't fit the character of Fogg up to that point. The ending was great, though I was a little confused about the clocks in London - why do they chime at ten till the hour? I liked the suggestion of another amazon reviewer to utilize this book as a bedtime story. The chapters are short, self-contained units that should capture the attention of most children. ... Read more

Book Description

Tor Classics are affordably-priced editions designed to attract the young reader. Original dynamic cover art enthusiastically represents the excitement of each story. Appropriate "reader friendly" type sizes have been chosen for each title--offering clear, accurate, and readable text. All editions are complete and unabridged, and feature Introductions and Afterwords.

This edition of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea includes a Foreword and Afterword by T. A. Barron.

Jules Verne is considered the "Father of Science Fiction" because of the power of this--his most famous novel.

"The year 1866 was signalised by a remarkable incident, a mysterious and puzzling phenomenon, which doubtless no one has yet forgotten. Not to mention rumours which agitated the maritime population and excited the public mind, even in the interior of continents, seafaring men were particularly excited. Merchants, common sailors, captains of vessels, skippers, both of Europe and America, naval officers of all countries, and the Goverments of several States on two continents, were deeply interested in the matter.

For some time past vessels had been met by 'an enormous thing,' a long object, spindle-shaped, occationally phosphorescent, and infinitely larger and more rapid in its movements than a whale."

It is this "something" that Professor Aronnaz sets out to encounter--and thus begins the most incredible underwater journey ever. From Atlantis to the South Pole, the reader is taken through dangers, surprises, and the unsurpassed majesty of the marine world.
... Read more

Reviews (134)

This is a very exciting and competitive book
This is one of my favorite novels of all.it is about two men almost drowwn when they see a sub and jump into it and become sort of prisoners.they are traveling all over the sea as they face many dangers.Such as squid and traped in an ice cave under water.I recomend this book for any body!

It was great! I loved it!
I loved this book and I would recommend this book to anyone. I think you should read this book before you leave High School. On a scale of one to five, one being the worst and five being the best. I would give it a five. I really enjoyed this book. The characters were very realistic and had life and emotion so you could relate to the characters their fear their joy and their sadness. They are three-dimensional characters. Not some flat two-dimensional characters who not feel and just act. It's easy to see why it's a classic. The book has a lot of action and adventure and even some mystery and lots of suspense. If you love any of these things, you should read this book. I found the way Conseil talks strange. Talking always in the third person I mean. Who actually goes around calling themselves by their first name? Looking up all the different animal and plant names that appear in this story must have taken forever as well as knowing where all these places were. He amazing he can fit all this information into one book an make it interesting. From reading this book, it refreshed my memory of the places in the world. The time from they were captured until they escaped only lasted six months. It seems to see all that they did see would have taken over a year. They did travel 60,000 miles. 1 leauge = 3 miles. Over all a great book and I loved it and you will to. Its a good sized book but don't be intimidated by it once you start its hard to stop.

Captain Nemo..................period.
This is one of my all-time favorite novels. I really like this book because of its descriptive ideas and interesting plot. Captain Nemo IS the best villian ever created. He draws you into the story by his intelect, then slams the door in your face with is rediculous temper. The many trips taken by the characters are a vivid trip through the underwater heavens below us. READ THIS BOOK!

One of the all time greatest works of science fiction.
This book set the standard for all pieces of poop

I thought it was good and bad.
I liked the book because the idea was excellant, it had very cool adventures, and the idea of a submarine like that in Verne's time was in the future. My favorite part is when Ned saved Captain Nemo from the shark. I didn't like the idea that the submarine sank ships because Captain Nemo is one of my favorite characters. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (97)

A good book....
I thought that this was an interesting read although not very exciting most of the time.The book at times would feel like it was going on forever and, other times I wondered how it was that the time had passed so quickly.There is a lot of scientific reference and knowledge to fully understand everything that Verne is talking about.However overall it was good enough to compel me to read more of his works.

Another Verne's marvelous book
This is a true adventure story that leaves very little time wasted. Every moment of the men's journey is filled with exciting discovery, terror or danger. Jules Verne's writing style tends towards the pedantic, and is quite heavy on description. However, a little patience will reveal a truly entertaining story.

Harry seems to be little more than walking complaints and anxieties when you look at the big picture of the novel. However, when you look at him page-by-page it becomes clear that his excitement and joy of discovery can at times rival his uncle's. He has his feet planted more firmly on the ground, and is far more willing to consider the consequences of his actions than his impetuous uncle.

Jules Verne is well acknowledged as one of the greatest science fiction writers of all time. His imagination knew few bounds, and the stories are still very enjoyable even when modern science has proven many of them impossible. He colors his prose with a quiet but constant enjoyment, and it is very difficult for the reader to resist joining him in his fun.

If you read this book, beware
Apparently there are two versions of this book. I read one version and then read the excerpt on Amazon. Guess what, they are two different books! Yes, even the main characters names are different. So, Im assuming that one book is the real thing and the other is a fake. Why would someone do this? Your guess is as good as mine. So if you read any copy of this book, I would like you to be more aware than I was of the fact that it might be a fake.

P.S. I do not mean to insult any publisher of the book

A bit dissatisfying.
I found this book to be dissatisfying.Joseph Campbell speaks of the Hero Cycle involving many things, such as a dismemberment or crucifixion being associated with the threshold crossing.As the trio enters the volcano, there is nothing horrendous about their passage.There is no "elixir theft," although Arne Saknusemm's dagger could have fit the bill.Lastly, there is no real character development.You have the clash and tension between Harry and the Professor: young-old, scientist-novice, driven-reluctant.But there is not enough to drive the story, and no enchantment.

There are some mythic elements, but they seem a bit haphazard.They exit the earth, the "belly of the whale," by way of a torrent and lava, the Masonic fire and water trial.IT pushes them out and up, in a mock rebirth.Then they land in paradisiacal Italy, contrasting with cold and dead Iceland.This is the motif of a "sacred grove," but it is never utilized fully.

Furthermore, there are some structural problems. Specially, Verne has two backtracks. The first is in Chapter 18, when they take the wrong road, and then Chapter 33, with the storm blowing the raft back to the starting point.Aesthetically, this is wonderful parallelism, but by the time you get to the discovery and the back track, you feel cheated.All the reading you have done up to that point was pointless.

The ending is rushed, and the denouement seems like a slipknot at times.I would have preferred a bit drawn out enduing and the possibility of a sequel.After all, who is Arne Saknusemm, and is there more to mysterious and even Christic figure?He is a Buddha, an enlightened one who leads the way for other to follow as they go through the underworld that is middle earth.

It is Verne's second book, so he is still in the process of becoming "Verne" or the icon we have depicted in "Back To The Future III."Despite my criticism, you do see the wonderful characters and Technicolor and three-dimensional scientists at work. They are not the flat logic boxes or computing machines, like Sherlock Holmes, or the campy "Professor" cutout character on bad TV programming.

Vern can spin a yarn, and mix enough technical scientific detail to make it believable.I am not familiar with Verne's scientific background, but he understands that science is merely part of the backdrop to any science fiction story.

Leonard Nemoy's afterward in the Signature Books Edition (0451528964) is worth reading.He does an analysis between the father-son relationship of Harry and th Professor.He caught things that I had missed, in my frustration of the backtracking problems.Read after reading the text.

Journey to the Centre of the Earth
I liked this book a lot. It is about a guy named Axel and his adventourus Uncle Lidebrock. He finds a map that shows a path to the centre of the Earth. So they go to Iceland with their silent guide Hans. They go thruogh volcanoes and tunnels and across treturous underground seas to reach the centre of the Earth.
Their trip to get out was not as easy as their trip getting in. They need to go out of a volcano.Fortunatly the volcano is about to erupt.They get shot out of the volcano and arive safely back home.
This book was very exciting. They made it sound like it was possible for them to get to the centre of the Earth. I just would have made it have more action and less scientific talk. I really liked this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Unabridged Audiobook. 9 CDs - 9 hours, 44 minutes. Narrated by John Bolen.

In this 1876 "Mission Impossible" tale of intrigue set in Russia, a traitor has inspired the fierce Feofar Khan to invade Siberia and foment a rebellion.A sinister plot to assassinate the Czar's brother, the Grand Duke, is discovered but all telegraph lines have been cut.

Only one of the Czar's courier's is qualified to handle the dangerous and arduous mission to warn the Siberian Governor General of the impending invasion… Michael Strogoff. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Spellbinding story plus geography lesson
I first read Michael Strogoff in the Classics Illustrated comics version. Then I read it textually in the N.C. Wyeth illustrated edition, and later picked up a paperback that came out in the mid 1950s. I remember taking out my atlas and tracing his route across the Russian Empire, I believe from St. Petersburg to the shores of Lake Baikal. Learned some things about Russian geography that I never forgot, in addition to enjoying the great adventure story.

I found out later that Jules Verne wrote in vivid detail about places he had never physically visited. Would like to get some opinions from native Russians or travelers who really know the places mentioned. But even if they do reveal all kinds of mistakes or misperceptions, the story is still a great one.

Would like to purchase a new copy of Michael Strogoff to replaced my old paperback. But now they tell us that Verne's works were usually abridged in English translation, to become "novels for boys" without the political commentary and other adult details. So I guess I will wait until I know that there is an unabridged English translation available, like for Mysterious Island and some others.

The best Jules Verne book nobody has ever heard of
Michael Strogoff is a broad adventure that is completely out of context with the science fiction for which Verne is renowned. When I mention this book to people, nobody has ever heard of it. The story is compelling and the characters heroic. Only some of the trite cliches in character and plot (The perfection of the hero and heroine, the pat "Happily ever after..." ending) prevent this from 5 stars. The book provides a kind exposure to russian names and places and works well as a lead in to loftier, authentic russian literature particularly Tolstoy who captures similar broad vista adventures. Michael Strogoff has been required reading in my family for three generations.

Michael Strogoff in Tantor MP3
Having recently found the boutique audio publisher Tantor, I have been a major consumer of their MP3 CDs and regular CDs. In addition to my favorite Edgar Rice Burroughs (yes I am over 50!)I purchased Michael Strogoff in MP3 CD format and could not stop listening. The story Jules Vern plays out for us is highly visual and while filled with the typical chance meetings found in the style of adventure writers of that day, it was first rate. The inclusion by Vern of the two newspaper reporters from England and France in several stages of the book was an interesting twist of comedy in a generally serious book.Those that have not had an opportunity to listen to audio books on CD or MP3CD would be delighted with this one to start.
Naration by John Bolen is as usual superior especially with male voices. His female voices sometimes can be too high pitched and shrill but once one has become a regular Tantor listener, it falls out of the conscious.

Highly recommended literature.

A Hollywood Blockbuster!
Okay, maybe not - yet. This beautiful story of adventure, danger, heroism, and hairbreadth escapes leads me to believe that visionary Jules Verne correctly predicted yet ANOTHER modern invention - the blockbuster action/adventure film. And yet it would be a shame to make a movie of this brilliant novel, however ideal it might be. I have loved every Jules Verne book I have read (with the exception of the wretched Paris in the 20th Century), and I believe this very well might be his best. I am thrilled to see it back in print. Read it and marvel at how far ahead of his time Verne was in every respect.

A great book
This book was one of the most thrilling books I have ever read. It wasn't science fiction but it was full of adventure and fun. What was great about the book was that the reader didn't have too much of an intense outlook on the heroes because there were two other characters- journalists, one French and the other English who helped you understand and enjoy the story more. READ THE BOOK!- one of my favourites! ... Read more

Book Description

First new unabridged translation since 1876 of one of Verne's best-known novels. ... Read more

Reviews (67)

The movie was better
the 1961 movie that was made on this book only took the idea of five men starndad on an island and they are aided by Captain Nemo later in the movie but that's it. In the book, Nemo's apperance is near the end and it;s a small part.It only serves as a sequal of a small sorts to 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.The rest of the book is full of somewhat boring charecters who spend the whole story trying to survive on an island.It's somewhat tedious and you never quite get excited by the lack of any real adventure.

A Must Have For Verne Fans!!!
This is a great book. It has a biography of Verne plus two prefaces to different novels he wrote (the only two), and detailed notes. The novels runs about 650 pages long, but caution, there are some versions that are 200 pages shorter, and some of the character names are changed. Make sure it is this version, but if you do not want all the extra information, there are editions with just the novel. A great book, and perfect if you loved "Twenty-Thousand Leagues under The Sea".

A little unbelievable
The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne is about five men, escaping from prison during the Civil War, who try to survive on a deserted island.Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe sparked ideas for both this book and the story of The Swiss Family Robinson.All books such as this are hard to write because the author must convince the reader that those stranded on the island don't 'cheat' by getting the things they need.The stranded humans must plausibly obtain their wants and needs without too many coincidences or gifts from God.This book does a mediocre job.The afterward by Isaac Asimov writes that in this book the five men do not have a stranded ship in which to take items as Robinson Crusoe had had.However, the men are placed on an island with everything they could possibly need: a somewhat unbelievable variety of flora and fauna proportional to the size of the island.Also, one of the men, an engineer, knows just about everything.He can make fire, create a battery out of the acids in the decomposed seaweed (???), make a kiln that produces pottery, and knows the exact amount of coal and iron to melt together to form steel.This is unbelievable to me that the engineer could do all of this with the raw tools he had available.Throughout the novel a mysterious being would provide the now very comfortable colonists with items or help as they needed it without making himself known.I think this is cheating as there would most likely not be anyone to help me if I were deserted on an island.The book is great when looked at from in intellectual view because it explains how neccessities and stoves could be produced if the means were there...emphasis on the 'could be.'It is interesting to see, for example, the bread tree in which a sort of flour can be obtained.Also the chemistry within the novel is very advanced and would without doubt make exactly what the characters were making...if you knew how to do it.

Mysteriously Readable
I'm at a loss to explain why I found this book so compelling. At 700-odd pages with flat characters, no dramatic conflict to speak of, no giant crabs or chickens (if you remember the movie), little action until the end, no humor, no sex, not even any mystery--since it's almost impossible to avoid spoilers--but plenty of tedious description, stiff dialogue and quaintly oversimplified scientific exposition, you'd think it'd be impossible to get through.Yet I stopped everything I was doing and breezed through it in only a few days. I guess it's a testimony to the power of a well-wrought adventure story, and this is one of the best of its kind. For some reason I highly recommend it.

Mysterious whisper
This is a fine Victorian era fantasy novel by Jules Verne.Five Civil War era Americans get stranded on a mysterious island.They manage to survive, and even thrive, thanks to their ingenuity (and from some other means that I won't reveal because that would give away the secret behind the mystery).That's all I am going to say about this book, read it yourself and discover what happens.Recommended to fans of 19th Century fiction. ... Read more

Book Description

A finales del siglo XIX el desarrollo científico había alcanzado una altura insospechada que abría nuevos campos de investigación. En su estudio atestado de mapas , recortes de prensa científica y libros de viajes, Julio Verne investiga las posibilidades que ofrecen estos avances en la mecánica, la electricidad o la física. ¿Acaso no sería posible que el hombre viajara a la Luna? ¿O que pudieran explorarse las profundidades submarinas a bordo de un ingenio mecánico? La Imaginación, la literatura de aventuras y el conocimiento geográfico y técnico, bastarán a Julio Verne para proporcionarnos las fuertes emociones ante lo inexplorado, inaugurando el género de la ciencia ficción. El tiempo se encargaría después de hacer realidad la fantasía de sus novelas.

Con 20.000 Leguas de Viaje Submarino el autor quiere mostrarnos los escenarios vedados a la mirada humana, los prodigios naturales que pueblan los abismos marinos o las posibilidades de un mundo nacido de las profundidades oceánicas. Allí encontramos al enigmático Captain Nemo y su artilugio submarino: el sobrecogedor Nautilus. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Una obra clásica!
En inglés o español, este libro será gozado por los programasde lectura jóvenes y viejos por años para venir! ... Read more

Book Description

La fértil imaginación de Julio Verne nos pone en condiciones de disfrutar de las más arriesgadas aventuras, de las más apasionantes viajes. Nos muestra las éxoticas ciudades de Oriente, los paisajes de lejanas tierras, los mercados, los puertos, las selvas... y viajamos con él y con sus personajes sabiendo que olvidaremos en ocasiones el motivo y que nos dejaremos llevar por el paisaje y las emociones.

Un excéntrico y metódico inglés, un mayordomo dicharachero y una apuesta bastan a Julio Verne para proponeros un trepidante viaje alrededor del mundo. La costas de Arabia, las populosas ciudades de la India, las selvas, los bulliciosos puertos de Asia, las llanuras y montañas de América y los peligros de los océanos serán escenarios incomparables de las aventuras de Mr. Fogg y Picaporte. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A vogage on your imagination
Is a men who makes a bet to a group of partners of the Reform Club in London and he has to do the trip over the world in 80 days Can he made it? ... Read more

Book Description

It is hard to believe that this small treasure was almost lost to the English-speaking world. First published in the French magazine ^IFigaro illustre^R in 1893 and reprinted in Verne's posthumous 1910 anthology ^IHier et demain^R, it has never before been published in any form in English or separately in book form in any language! This beautiful new edition brings the magic of Jules Verne to English-speaking children of all ages^L The name Jules Verne conjures up many images--a trip around the ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Another Jules Verne Treasure
Adventures of the Rat Family is one of Verne's most unusual stories, in which he diverged from his usual formula to write his only fairy tale and one of his few pure fantasies. First published in France over a century ago, it is now published in an elegant children's edition by Oxford University Press (72 pp., ...). Included are all 17 original color illustrations by Felician Myrbach-Rheinfeld, reproduced from the January 1891 holiday issue of the fashionable Parisian journal Le Figaro illustre.

Adventures of the Rat Family was not published in book form until after Verne's death, with the
appearance of the 1910 anthology Yesterday and Tomorrow, containing only a few of the engravings and a text revised by Verne's son, Michel, his literary executor. The Oxford edition is
the first time that Adventures has been published in book form in any language with all of the original illustrations.

As Adventures of the Rat Family attests, Verne's writing is far more diverse than his reputation as the father of science fiction suggests. He wrote more than 60 novels, as well as numerous short stories, plays, articles and poems, covering a range of genres and literary forms. He was actually most prolific in the genres of adventure, mystery and comedy.

Adventures of the Rat Family deals with evolution, a problematic and controversial idea when the story first appeared in 1891, and one that was surely prohibitive for American publishers. This was especially true since Adventures of the Rat Family was also one of Verne's few stories accessible to a very young audience. However, like many fairy tales, its larger significance requires more sophisticated adult reading.

Verne portrays a magical movement up and down the evolutionary ladder, as a close-knit family of rats is transformed into various lower forms of life, from mollusks to birds. The instigator of these deeds is a genie, hired by a cruel prince who desires the family's daughter, although she loves another.

Verne both recognizes and mocks the idea of evolution by having his characters change from one species to another, finally making a metamorphosis into men and women. Added amusement is
provided by one cousin who never quite catches up as he makes each transformation, always retaining a feature of his previous incarnation, until finally he has a donkey's tail even after
becoming a man.

Verne had long been interested in evolution and basically accepted the theory. His 1858 play, M. de Chimpanze (untranslated), is of a chimp that readily adapts to high society, and a giant prehistoric man is sighted in Journey to the Center of the Earth. Verne portrays a "missing link" species in his 1901 novel, The Aerial Village, and speculates that the tribe will be incorporated into an imperial colony. "The Humbug" is the story of a P.T. Barnum-like character whose successful hoax convinces New Yorkers that he has unearthed the bones of early man near Albany.

By cloaking his use of the evolutionary theme within the fantasy of Adventures of the Rat Family, Verne hoped to circumvent disapproval of his more serious and controversial subtext. He had first related the story during a European lecture tour in 1887, and he was so delighted with the idea that he enlarged it into a novella. He cleverly imbued it with his satirical expertise, lending it a light touch that concealed much of its bite. Verne was skilled in comedy, especially when it involved bizarre characters in unusual locales, as demonstrated by his treatment of the stuffy British travelers in Around the World in 80 Days.

Adventures of the Rat Family is a rewarding, one-of-a-kind story that will be enjoyed in different ways by all ages. ... Read more

Book Description

"It was seen first in North Carolina, or something was, smokingup from a mountain crater.With blinding speed, it roared past cars ona Pennsylvania road.It skimmed the Atlantic, thenat the flick ofits captain's willdove beneath the waves...It was the"Terror"...ship, sub, plane, and land vehicle in one and a letter fromits inventor claimed that with it, he would rule the world." Longrecognized as a truly prophetic science fiction classic, this excitingadventure was also Verne's last novel. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Above and Beyond Humanity!
This 127-page novella presents another scientific genius gone amuck--like Dr. Moreau or Dr. Jekyll. The 19th century placed implicit faith in Science and the reasoning power of the human
brain. Yet by the end of the 1800's France's leading exponent of sci fi literature was beginning to question man's ability to make proper use of the inventions of his fertile mind: to benefit--not harm or enslave--his fellow men. Choosing to make his protagonist an American, JV sets the entire story in the New World--perhaps a tribute to Yankee ingenuity. Yet discerning readers will detect inevitable hints of his Gallic predilection.

John Strock of the not yet so-called FBI is assigned by its director to investigate strange and frightening circumstances at the Great Eyrie--an inaccessible basin (or volcanic crater?) in the remote Blue Ridge Montains of North Carolina. (European readers would be well advised to consult an atlas of the USA, to better follow the various chase scenes.) Inexplicable phenomena are reported in other regions of the alarmed country--both on land and on sea. Some arrogant scientst has invented a four-way transforming vehicle with which he plans to rule the world and even challenge the elements. Can no one prevent this self-proclaimed Master of the World from carrying out his inhumane threats? From Man of the Hour he is quickly relegated to Public Enemy #1, becoming the object and focus of intense federal investigation. Curious, determined and dedicated to the safety of the public, John Strock and associates are ready to pursue him--on, over or under the continent. If the devil did not exist, would man find it necessary to invent him? This story is a shade dark, but reads well enough until the last third of the book, where there is practically no dialogue. Still, an interesting tale, reflecting the author's disillusion with the the world. Captain Nemo carried to extreme.

Time Has Killed This Book
This book might have been exciting back in the day it was written, but given the context of our modern world, it's a complete bore. Written in a dry, matter-of-fact style that kills all the excitement & adventure, the wonder & mystery is ruined by modern technology as well as by the style of writing. The idea of a car, boat & plane is nothing to the modern imagination, but must have been a big deal back when the book was written. Maybe it was a great book a hundred or so years ago, but now it's just a snooze-fest.

The master does it again!
Verne has done it again! Once again Robur takes to the skies in a new ship the "Terror". Except this time his conquest of the elements covers them all. Water(both above and below the waves),Land(racing across the land at 100s of miles an hour), and the skies(soaring with the agility of the birds). Mr. Stock, a goverment ageant investigating a strange occurence in the mountains, is accidently pulled aboard the Terror and sees the true genius and maddness of Robur. In the end the very elements Robur sought to conquer destroy him. Showing that only nature can stop the "Master of the World".

One of Verne's best novels.
This book is nothing like the movie with Vincent Price, which is actually a strange combination of both "Master of the World" and "Clipper of the Clouds". The story mainly follows the adventures of U.S. secret agent John Stark as he tries to solve the strange appearances of a fantasy craft along the eastern American seaboard. Robur doesn't make an appearance until the last quarter of the book, but its an exciting read. The chase across Lake Ontario and Robur's escape over Niagara Falls is one of the most memorable scenes from the book. The Terror definately stands out as one of the best of Verne's incredible machines since the Nautilus.

A Challenge to the World from the ultimate ATV
Verne's "Master of the World" is usually published with its prequel "Robur, the Conquerer" as part 1 of the book. In "Robur, the Conquerer" we meet the engineer Robur who has built the great aeronef "Albatross" which he proposes to use to destroy all fighting ships and machines in the world, thus ending once and for all the scourge of war. He kidnaps Mr. Prudent, a weapons maker from Philadelphia, his son-in-law and principle antagonist in their mutual desire to build the ultimate ballon, and Mr. Brock, an American agent, who accompany him on his tour of the world but who ultimately bring about his downfall. In "Master of the World", Robur returns at the helm of the amazing all-terrain vehicle, the "Terror", once again preparing to try to end war and assuming upon himself the title of "Master of the World". The Terror can zoom at great speeds across land or water, submerge like a submarine, or soar into the air on a pair of retractable rotors. This effort, too, comes to naught, but as we progress we see more of the genius and pain of Robur. ... Read more

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What had happened? What effect had this frightful shock produced? Had the ingenuity of the constructors of the projectile obtained any happy result? Had the shock been deadened, thanks to the springs, the four plugs, the water-cushions, and the partition-breaks?--Follows From the Earth to the Moon. ... Read more

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Will all return safely?
This is the sequel to "From the Earth to the Moon." It was first published in 1870 and, although it contains many scientific errors, it also contains some accurate predictions as well. It is perhaps the very firstnovel to treat travel in space. It was surprisingly fun reading. However,care should be exercised. There are a number of very poor translationsavailable. Make sure yours is fine. In the story, the travelers are unableto land on the moon. They see the "dark" side of the moon beforethey head back to Earth. ... Read more

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An enigmatical personage, about whom little was known, except that he was a polished man of the world. People said that he resembled Byron--at least that his head was Byronic; but he was a bearded, tranquil Byron, who might live on a thousand years without growing old. ... Read more

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Jules Verne (1828-1905) is best known for his science fiction stories, at the time called "tales of imagination", even though he also wrote several historical novels.

As one of the first science fiction writers, his novels show the basics of good science fiction - good plot, good characterization, sound science, and good projections of scientific trends.

His ability to project the future of science was remarkable. Among his projections were the modern submarine, television, guided missles, satellites, and the airplane. His accuracy was not only in the invention but in the uses to which they were put. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

As increible as the others Verne's books
This book is arguably the very first modern science-fiction classic. It has inspired movies, later books, and the Apollo moon missions themselves. What is unexpected, though, is the spectacular satire that Verne interweaves with terrific scientific detail. The Baltimore Gun Club, at a loss for what to do with themselves at the end of the Civil War (the novel was published in 1865), devise a remarkable plan to fire a projectile at the moon with a gigantic cannon. It is a bold maneuver, conceivable only in America. Verne uses this naive bravery as the basis of his satirical look at Americans. He doesn't spare other nationalities, though, including his fellow French. The book is often funny, sometimes unbearably silly, but full of rich detail. Verne prognosticated details that will be familiar to anyone familiar with NASA's mission to the moon. Along the way, he builds the first 200-inch telescope, and hints at the changes in the weather caused by a giant explosion (nuclear winter?). In such a brief book, success is assured, but there are surprising twists to the tale. Unlike Wells' First Men in the Moon 36 years later, Verne spends more time on the bold technical challenges than on the destination. A fun read.

First part good, second part, not so much.
Verne writes a great story in From the Earth to the Moon, ending on a cliff hanger that leaves you wondering, exploring all the science of his day, and the possibilities therein.Sometimes it can get a bit long-winded, but overall, a fun read.

The second portion is far less so, however.One gets the impression that, after his first novel was published, he suffered a large amount of scientific criticism, or else new scientific data came in, denying some of what he had written.Perhaps he simply gave in to critics who claimed the novel seemed unfinished.And so he wrote a second novel, and wrote too much.A Trip Around It suffers from extreme long-windedness, and tedious explanations of what we have observed of the moon, and what was hypothesized about the moon in Verne's day.I kept on reading, skimming finally, waiting for the action to begin, waiting for something to develop- and was disappointed.This is a novel about three men who are all rather big on themselves, traveling in cramped quarters, describing fictional and real geography.And it's simply not fun to read a novel whose characters are only proud people.This was perhaps a book that served a scientific purpose for understanding the lunar terrain, when it was written.Now it is more of a historical note on Verne's failure, and how not to write.

A Star Amongst the Books of Jules Verne
Every book written by Jules Verne that I have ever read I have thought to be a true masterpiece, and this novel is no exception!It features the Gun Club, a club established during the Civil War whose members tend to be a little...er..."incomplete," as one of the characters himself puts it.These men are growing bored in the absence of opportunities to construct and test out new artillery weapons, so their president, the imperturbable, confident Barbicane, proposes they send a projectile to the Moon via a gigantic cannon!This idea is greeted with great approval from the world over, as Barbicane and his club work to organize all the details of the experiment and make sure everything will go perfectly.But despite lots of support from many nations, one man, Barbicane's main enemy, Captain Nicholl, bets several thousand dollars that the experiment will go amiss.To add to the confusion, right in the midst of things, a suave, passionate Frenchman named Michel Ardan decides to ride to the Moon in the projectile himself!I thought this book was, more than anything, very amusing.Verne's way of making his characters truly jump off the page with their vivid dialogue and lovable quirks provides for an abundance of understated humor.I also admired the book's thoroughness in its portrayal of the organization needed to help really get this project "off the ground," from the discussions of the necessary precautions to take, through the math and scientific facts that guide the crafty inventors, up to the assembly of the cannon.The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns and character revelations which fit nicely into the story.A must-read!

An exciting classic by a great prophetic mind
Jules Verne's novel "From the Earth to the Moon" is the imaginative story of an attempt, made shortly after the U.S. Civil War, to send a projectile to the moon.This daring plan is masterminded by veteran artilleryman Impey Barbicane, president of the Baltimore Gun Club.The novel follows the progress and remarkable outcome of the venture.

"Earth. . .Moon" is a terrific adventure story and a pioneering classic of 19th century science fiction.It's also an affectionate satire of the United States and the American character as seen through Verne's eyes.Verne's witty writing had me laughing out loud throughout the book.And furthermore, the novel is about courage, loyalty, and faith in the ability of human beings to overcome incredible obstacles.

Verne populates his adventure tale with a number of likeable and memorably drawn characters.He cleverly mixes in real scientific data with his fantastic tale.He also establishes the book's literary genealogy early on with references to Locke's Moon Hoax and Edgar Allan Poe's story of Hans Pfaal.

I read this book in the Lowell Bair translation, which is published as a Bantam Classic."Earth. . .Moon" is suspenseful and exciting; it's also surprisingly poignant and ultimately inspiring.It's an enduring masterpiece by one of the 19th century's great visionary geniuses.

Verne Has Done Much Better
"From the Earth to the Moon" is Jules Verne's least appealing work that I have read so far.It is the story of the Baltimore Gun Club and their attempt to build a cannon big enough to shoot a bullet to the moon.The gun club dreams up the idea as a way of filling time after the end of the Civil War.

The leader of the club, Impey Barbicane, is wagered that he can't pull it off.Also, a Frenchman has volunteered to ride along on the bullet.

It has been about four years since I read "From the Earth to the Moon", so I don't remember many of the details very well.I do remember my feeling after having finished it that, not only was it inferior to other works of Verne, but that it was an inferior novel by itself.The characters are more like caricatures than real people, the dialogue is unusually bombastic for a Verne hero (perhaps this was Verne's take on Americans), and the action was undramatic.

I would suggest reading other works by Verne like "Around the World in Eighty Days" and "A Journey to the Center of the Earth" before this one so that you don't develop an initial dislike for his work.Verne is an excellent author not indicative of this work. ... Read more