Around the World in Eighty Days, presented here in an edition by Jane Bingham and Usborne, is a lively, accessible adaptation of Jules Verne's seminal 1873 adventure novel. The core story follows the fastidious English gentleman, Phileas Fogg, who makes an audacious wager that he can circumnavigate the globe in just 80 days. Accompanied by his resourceful French valet, Passepartout, Fogg embarks on a thrilling, high-speed journey across continents, utilizing all forms of Victorian transport—trains, steamers, and elephants. The Usborne adaptation condenses the scientific and philosophical detail of the original, focusing squarely on the action, the exotic locations, and the constant ticking clock. Bingham's text and Usborne's illustrations make the classic journey comprehensible and exciting for young readers. The book is a celebration of Victorian ingenuity, global geography, and the triumph of sheer determination over seemingly impossible odds, serving as a perfect introduction to classic adventure literature.
