This book is with an introduction and notes by Professor Roger Cardinal. University of Kent at Canterbury. "Around the World in Eighty Days" (1873) relates the hair-raising journey made as a wager by the Victorian gentleman Phileas Fogg, who succeeds - but only just - in circling the globe within eighty days. The dour Fogg's obsession with his timetable is complemented by the dynamism and versatility of his French manservant, Passepartout, whose talent for getting into scrapes brings colour and suspense to the race against time. "Five Weeks in a Balloon" (1863) was Verne's first novel. It documents an apocryphal jaunt across the continent of Africa in a hydrogen balloon designed by the omniscient, imperturbable and ever capable Dr Fergusson, the prototype of the Vernian adventurer.

2001-03-08 An enjoyable easy read

What do you do first? read the book or watch the film. In my case I saw the film first, and consequently had the vision of David Niven playing Philious Fogg painted in my mind. This however was not a bad thing as in my opinion Mr Niven plays an excellent Mr Fogg. This fast paced book took a slow reader like myself just two days to read such is its infectious nature. The very 'Englishness' of the leading character made the book all the more enjoyable, as he seemed to apply his principles in the most amazing circumstances when a mere mortal would surely have crumbled. In conclusion relaxing and enjoyable read.