Around the World in 80 Days (Timeless) (Timeless Classics)

A classic from my childhood first experienced through the Disney movie. This was quite a bit different yet all the better for it. I recommend to both the science fiction fan and the lover of history. Written about 1873 it's amazing how much things haven't changed in travel and in people.

As usual, Jules Verne incorporates copious amounts of technical details and analysis in the plot...not only in the initial development, but throughout the book as the events unfold. Listened to the Audible version, and the reader did an excellent job of creating mental pictures of each character and the surroundings.

Public domain books may be my new found friends on the store as they come with little or no cost. Cost aside, Jules Verne still delivers in an Internet connected world the delight of having to make connections or waiting a week or more to keep moving ahead. For any armchair traveler this remains one of the great travelogues.

The plot was relatively mundane and some of the actions of the characters were completely implausible.

The local color was interesting, although I couldn't help but wonder what Verne used for his sources, as I see no indication he had visited India, China or Japan himself.

He's written better. I'd recommend "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" and then "They Mysterious Island" over this.

Downloaded quickly with no problems. Gladly recommend both book and seller to anyone looking for a Kindle volume to while away the hours. Love to read it while I'm in a waiting room or just have time on my hands. Great way to spend an afternoon - lounging on the sofa with a great classic novel that's so entertaining. Who doesn't love Jules Verne?

Around the World in 80 Days, the classic travel adventure story by Jules Verne, is just plain fun. The mysterious Phileas Fogg, so phlegmatic as to be eccentric, sets out to win a bet against fellow members of his club, who believe it is impossible to circle the globe in just 80 days. Accompanying him is his French valet Passpartout, who had only begun his employment that very day, and who was looking forward to a calm life of predictability.

This tongue-in-cheek humor sets the tone for the entire story, which is filled with adventure, mishaps, and humorous irony. Fogg is beset by one obstacle after another, not the least of which is Inspector Fix, who doggedly follows Fogg believing he is the notorious criminal who robbed a London bank on the very day that Phileas Fogg set out on his adventure (all of which Fogg is totally unaware). Will Phileas Fogg be able to overcome it all in time to make it back to London by 8:45 pm on December 21, the precise time at which he must appear in his club in order to win his bet?

Although the characters are little more than caricatures who always show the same mood, still they are fun characters. And the reader soon becomes so swept up in Verne's highly imaginative tale that it is easy to forgive him for the lack of character development. Verne's depiction of non-English cultures will strike the modern reader as stereotypic and bigoted; still, one must consider the prevailing opinions of the times in which Verne wrote, and remember that this is, above all, a fantastic adventure story meant to be purely entertaining.

Jim Dale is a fabulous narrator, giving each character a distinct voice which lends even more color to this already colorful story. He does an excellent job with the couple of American characters, something which almost no British narrator is able to do.

This is one I will listen to again, and I recommend it as enjoyable, lighthearted entertainment

The language is definitely harder to understand and more flowery, but the story is very enjoyable if you have time for the slower pace. I read it to put my 7 year old son to sleep. He enjoyed the story too, but the next day I would have to explain to him what was happening.

I always enjoy reading Palin's diaries, and this is a good one. A nice short read with a few laugh out loud moments and an interesting perspective, maybe by accident, on the state of commercial maritime shipping, ca. 1988.

This book has a quiet, proper character who takes on a race around the world in the latter part of the nineteenth century. He begins in London and has varied adventures in the many exotic countries he transverses. Jules Verne deftly takes the reader through ports, train stations, carriages and assorted vehicles that were used in the world, at that time. The author describes the scenes, action and characters vividly...one feels like they are on the journey, too. Or wish they were. There are abundant mysteries and obstacles that side track the character and his companions that keep the reader on edge.

I had never read this before. I downloaded it to my Kindle to take with me on a trip. It wasn't a book that you can't put down which for me is good. I needed something light to read yet interesting. This worked. I think I'll now download more of Jules Vernes works.

I read this book half because it caught my attention, and half was that I was desperate to get my hands on a new, good book.

At first I liked it, but then it got kind of boring. I couldn't understand some stuff, and soon it made no sense.

Be aware of that when you get it.

The book came in great condition except that it had been sprayed with some type of cologne. It is strong and annoying to those of us who have allergies. I would have returned the book but we had to use it for my son's literature class and we didn't have time to return it.

This is a plausible travel adventure taking place in the late 1800s. The characters could have been developed a little more, but all in all this little jaunt around the globe was a delightful read. Taking many means of transportation, Phileas Fogg and his faithful servant attempt to circumnavigate the world in only 80 days. At the time of the story this trip could take anywhere from 4 to 6 months. The descriptions of the people and places are typical of Jules Verne and are highly enjoyable. This is a true classic from a great writer. I recommend this to anyone who likes classic literature, or wants to be introduced to some of the classics.

I really enjoyed this adventure story. The characters are interesting, there are plenty of adventures and mishaps and it all happens as they travel East around the world on a bet. (view spoiler) I thought it was hilarious that Americans are portrayed as foolhardy, obnoxious and wild. It seemed more dangerous to travel by train across the US than any other county, and in fact this would have been the time of the wild west. I also enjoyed the descriptions of San Francisco, being that it's one of my favorite cities. They take many forms of transportation including a elephant and a sledge with sail that slides across the frozen prairie. However no balloon, as someone mentioned. Passepartout is easily my favorite character with his brave, honorable but fairly foolish ways.

While I would have preferred it otherwise, this book ties in very much with the 1960s movie featuring David Niven. But that's is not a bad thing necessarily - this makes a great companion book to the movie (which might be geared towards an older audience). It also helps the young reader imagine what each of the places Fogg travels through looks like. A good illustrated novel.

Jules verne books in general are nice to read. Characters are interesting and detailed. Alot of description on subject and places that really put the reader in the scene like if being there. Nice balanced narrative where you don't lose track in dialogues like some other book that I've read; The reader Will know which character is talking to the other. Fun to read.

I very much enjoyed reading the story. Jules Vern writes great stories, and it is startling to see just how many of his ideas have actually come into existence. Today, of course, we can do it in a few hours!

Great story-line, great characters.

Long enough to begin getting bored and thinking of restarting concorde flights for mr Fogg and his joints, helps sleep coming when sheeps are on holyday and cannot be accounted for. A must read when you want to remember how glamourus travelling was.