Around the World in Seventy-Two Days

Around the World in Seventy-Two Days chronicles journalist Nellie Bly's groundbreaking solo journey circumnavigating the globe in 1889-1890. The voyage was inspired by Jules Verne's fictional work Around the World in Eighty Days, with Bly aiming to complete the journey in less time than Verne's protagonist. Bly embarked on her expedition with minimal luggage - a single dress, an overcoat, basic necessities, and carefully secured funds. The journey was commissioned by Joseph Pulitzer's New York World newspaper, which published regular updates about her progress to captivated readers across America. The book documents Bly's experiences traveling through multiple continents via steamship and rail, encountering various cultures and testing the limits of late 19th-century transportation systems. A parallel race undertaken by competing journalist Elizabeth Bisland adds tension to the narrative. The text stands as both a pioneering work of investigative journalism and a testament to the expanding possibilities for women in the Victorian era. Its detailed account of global travel infrastructure and social conditions provides a window into the dawn of modern international tourism.

Readers appreciate Bly's detailed observations and fearless spirit during her race around the world. Many note her matter-of-fact writing style brings authenticity to the travelogue, with one reviewer calling it "journalism in its purest form." Readers highlight: - First-hand accounts of 1889 transportation systems - Cultural interactions from a female perspective - Competition aspect with rival Elizabeth Bisland - Practical travel details including costs and logistics Common criticisms: - Abrupt ending - Limited reflection on experiences - Some xenophobic attitudes typical of the era - Uneven pacing in middle chapters Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (190+ ratings) Internet Archive: 4/5 (80+ ratings) Several readers note the book works better as a historical document than pure entertainment. One Amazon reviewer wrote: "The value is in seeing the world through late 19th century eyes, both the good and problematic aspects."

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★ Nellie Bly completed her journey in just 72 days, beating Jules Verne's fictional record of 80 days and setting a new world record for fastest circumnavigation ★ The competing journalist, Elizabeth Bisland of Cosmopolitan magazine, was sent in the opposite direction without any prior notice - she had just six hours to prepare for her own round-the-world journey ★ During her trip, Bly met Jules Verne himself in Amiens, France, where he wished her good luck in beating his fictional character's time ★ Bly traveled with just one small piece of luggage - a single gripsack measuring 16 inches long - containing all her necessities for the entire journey ★ The New York World newspaper ran a contest during her journey, asking readers to guess her exact arrival time; the winner from 100,000 entries predicted it within just two-fifths of a second