Around the World in 80 Days

Around the World in 80 Days chronicles Michael Palin's ambitious journey to recreate Phileas Fogg's famous fictional voyage from Jules Verne's classic novel. The BBC television companion book documents Palin's experiences as he attempts to circumnavigate the globe without using aircraft, relying instead on trains, boats, and land transport. The book follows a diary-style format, marking each leg of the journey with day counts and locations while detailing Palin's encounters with local cultures, transportation challenges, and fellow travelers. Photographs from multiple sources illustrate the journey, capturing scenes from bustling ports, remote villages, and the various vessels that carried Palin across oceans. The narrative tracks an uneven journey, with nearly three-quarters of the time spent traversing the first half of the globe through Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, while the remaining quarter covers the Pacific, Americas, and Atlantic crossing. Palin's transportation options range from modern container ships to traditional wooden dhows. The book stands as both a travelogue and a meditation on the changing nature of global transport, comparing the romance of Victorian-era steam travel with the realities of modern maritime commerce.

Readers appreciate Palin's self-deprecating humor and personal observations as he recreates Phileas Fogg's journey. Many note his talent for finding interesting characters and situations in each location, rather than focusing solely on tourist spots. Readers highlight: - Detailed cultural observations - Mix of historical context and modern travel challenges - Photography throughout the book - Conversational writing style Common criticisms: - Too much focus on BBC filming logistics - Rushed passages through some countries - Limited depth compared to his later travel books - Some dated references (book published 1989) Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (180+ ratings) "Feels like traveling with a friend" appears in multiple reviews. One reader noted: "Palin makes even travel setbacks entertaining." Another wrote: "The TV series gives better visuals, but the book offers more historical background."

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🌍 Before this adventure, Palin was best known as a member of the legendary comedy group Monty Python, making this journey a dramatic career pivot. 🚂 The trip began and ended at London's Reform Club—the same location used in Jules Verne's original story—on October 25, 1988. ⛴️ The journey inspired a successful BBC television series of the same name, launching Palin's second career as a celebrated travel documentarian. 📚 Jules Verne's original "Around the World in 80 Days" was published in 1872 after being inspired by technological advancements like the opening of the Suez Canal and the completion of rail lines across India. 🌏 Palin's route covered approximately 42,000 miles (67,600 kilometers) and crossed 17 countries, spending more time in Asia than any other continent.