The first of Michael Palin's great armchair travel books describing his journey around the world, in the footsteps of Phileas Fogg. Great read, with fascinating experiences described in a wide range of countries. Loved it! ( )

A gently humorous and enjoyable book, Around the World in 80 Days follows Michael Palin as he attempts a modern-day version of the circumnavigation of the globe described in Verne's classic novel of the same name. Undertaken in 1988, much of what he's describing now seems as remote in time as it does in physical geography--a world where Margaret Thatcher's still relevant, Benazir Bhutto is newly elected, and the first Bush is about to come to power in the United States. Still, it's engagingly written, well illustrated, and shows a keen eye for detail. Worth the read. ( )

8.0

the original and best! ( )