Around the World; Three Remarkable Journeys

Around the World; Three Remarkable Journeys
by Matt Phelan
240 pages
Late Elementary

Inspired by Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days, three individuals decide to take on their own journeys to explore the world. Meet a miner, a reporter and sea captain- each with different goals in life, but each one wanting to to repeat the amazing feat!

Thomas Stevens works in a mine, but wants something different in his life.  Instead of staying the darkness, he ventures out, buys a bicycle (the kind with the huge front wheel) and rides across the United States. Instead of stopping there, he gets sponsored to continue his ride around the world.  Taking a boat to England, he rides across Great Britain, Europe and even Asia.  Coming home, he had ridden a bicycle 13,500 miles.

While Phineas Fogg from Around the World in 80 Days completes the journey on time, Nellie Bly wants to beat this record.  After being rejected one year, the newspaper she writes for sends her on her journey.  Taking only one bag, she travels day and night, even meeting Jules Verne himself!  After delays in several places, can she make it back in time?

The last story tells of an old retired sailor who repairs a small sailboat, and decides to sail around the world.  Taking only the most basic of supplies, he sets off on his own.  Weathering storms and sickness, he travels the seas, sometimes facing days without any other human contact.  Can he survive the deadly seas?

So I found this book to be very interesting! While listed in the fiction area, it is based in facts, citing several resources where the the information had been found. I think because the story is retold and embellished, it counts as fiction, even though it is based on facts.

These people existed and did these amazing things!  Even in our day, many people have never traveled around the world, even though it is so much easier now.  These people were determined and accomplished feats many people never do.

This book is a great example of how literature and other arts can affect the world.  While I'm sure some people would want to travel, this book inspired people to do things they normally wouldn't do.  It is so interesting to me to see books change the world.

Overall, inspiring book!  The pictures were pretty good, but not brilliant.  The information what very interesting, and the stories well told.  Because there were three stories, each one went fast, and it was a quick read.  Great book to recommend for history or adventure lovers!