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There are currently 21 member reviews
for Eighty Days
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Michael P. (San Marcos, CA)
Educational and enjoyable
There's nothing better for me than a book that makes history come alive. This book succeeds. The author has a marvelous ability to take dry facts and turn them into an engrossing story that let me feel like I was in the midst of the world in 1889.
My only criticism is that I wanted to know how the outcome would have changed had Bly waited for the rails to be cleared of snow. Regardless, a great read. Definitely recommended.
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Marylou C. (Winfield, IL)
Book Club Material
I knew after reading the first page that this book was a keeper. And I was right. Not only is the story fascinating, but the historical facts contained within make one aware of how fortunate we are to be able to travel as we do today.
Learning about life, issues, events and travel in the late 1800's is sure to stir the interest of the reader. This factual book reads like a well written novel and holds your interest totally, except for some parts when the author gets too in-depth with the miniscule facts that add nothing to the story.
One might think the author was being paid by the word, but since the story is so spellbinding, you don't realize it until you've finished the chapter. This book tells the modern reader what it was like for journalist, especially female ones, to cope with the editors, foreign countries and travel of yesteryear
Encourage your book club to read and share their thoughts on this book. Questions could include, would you have done it then and would you do it today and which woman did you find yourself cheering on.
But I still think it should have been about 50 pages shorter.
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Andrea S. (Lafayette, IN)
19th Century Amazing Race
I thoroughly enjoyed this account of the 1889 race around the world between Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland. The book was well written and was as absorbing as any fiction book. As with all history books, it was an eyeopener as to how things seem different now but haven't really changed. Book groups would find much to talk about here: women's roles in the 19th century, changes in travel, role of railroad, the role of Britain in 19th century world history, journalism. But that aside, this was just a very enjoyable read for anyone!
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Barbara H. (Richmond, IN)
Eighty Exceptional Days
Wow, did I enjoy this book. The author's research is thorough and his bibliography is lengthy and the information is delightful. The reader not only learns about Nellie Bly and her attempt to exceed the travel time of Jules Verne's Phileas Fogg in Around the World in Eighty Days, but also has the pleasure of visiting the world of the 1890's, meeting Joseph Pulitzer, understanding the plight of Chinese workers in America, traveling in luxury trains and boats, seeing beautiful places before industrial pollution took place, and so much more.
Nellie Bly initiated the idea of traveling around the world in less time than 80 days to give women journalists a boost away from the traditional social columns they wrote. She had to convince the editor of The World a NY newspaper to allow her to embark on such a trip alone, a definite step away from social convention. The editor of the Cosmopolitan heard what the newspaper was doing, so to boost readership he sent Elizabeth Bisland, a free lance writer for the magazine, to challenge Bly's attempt, but traveling the opposite direction. The two women and their outlook on the trips are very different and both have many adventures, but the reader gets to experience both.
Learning in a most readable narrative covering so much space is a pleasure. The book is full of surprises for the modern reader as it covers both custom, details of history, description of places and events of the 1880's. The journeys of both women are exciting. One highlight is that Nellie Bly gets to meet Jules Verne and his wife, but that is only one adventure of many during the historic race. Phileas Fogg was fictional and his adventures were fun, but Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland live in a real world the reader has the pleasure of visiting.
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Joan V. (Miller Place, NY)
A Whirlwind Trip
What a fascinating book! One of the best books I've read in a long time. The author has done an amazing amount of research on Nellie Bly & Elizabeth Bisland's trips around the world. However, none of the research comes across as dull or tedious. The reader gets completely caught up in the race (or journey as Ms. Bisland would call it) and you cannot put this book down.
I highly recommend it for those who love to travel, arm chair travelers and for the historical information you learn about the 1890s in America. This book covers one of THE most revolutionary and inventive times in history.
I think Book Clubs would like this book. An interesting question to pose would be, "Which of these ladies would YOU like to travel around the globe with?"
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Darshell S. (Warwick, RI)
Eighty Days
This book is a good read. It is very well researched. The facts and history throughout the book are interesting and engaging. It is not dense or boring at all. The race is thrilling and you feel your self rooting for your fave to win. I would recommend this as a book club selection or just as a good read for yourself. It's history that reads like fiction. A great pick for the upcoming women's history month!
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Virginia B. (Foster, RI)
Bly and Bisland See the World
Goodman's "Eighty Days" is a thoroughly researched and well written account of two 19th century woman journalists who attempt to beat the fictional character created by Jules Verne who traveled around the world in 80 days. I enjoyed learning about these two plucky women who went against the conventions of the time. Goodman skillfully reveals the personalities of these two women who have very different approaches and reactions to the challenge. In addition, I enjoyed reading the detailed accounts of America at the end of the 19th century and traveling conditions around the world. Having said that, I think that Goodman got lost in too much detail at times like a student who has done an enormous amount of research and wants to include everything. History buffs, women, and arm chair travelers will enjoy this book. "Nothing Daunted" by Dorothy Wickenden is a similar and interesting read.
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