Around the World in 80 Days - Michael Palin

Around the World in 80 Days is the first of Michael Palin's numerous and varied adventures travelling around the world. First published in 1989 and re-released in 2004, this book holds its humour and quality over time, Palin's reknowned humour from his Monty Python days shines through in this book based upon the fictional travels of Phileas Fogg documented in the original book of the same name. As Palin describes it himself, he suffers from "dromomania" or the compulsive urge to travel, this makes this book a wonderfully interwoven series of travellers stories intertwined with the fun and tribulations that Palin overcomes to complete his trip ...  Read the complete review

"Around the World in 80 Days" is the first of Michael Palin's series of journeys to far-flung parts of the world. The premise is to follow Phileas Fogg's fictional journey from Jules Verne's book as closely as possible and using methods of transport that would have been available in Verne's time. In other words, no aeroplanes! The journey starts at the Reform Club in London and proceeds generally eastwards to finish at the same place. As befits this progenitor series, one can see Palin's style evolving, such as his keeness to get involved with "ordinary people" and his gentle humour. The journey is much more "raw" than in the ...  Read the complete review

Around the world in 80 days by Michael Palin of Monty Python fame is the book to acompany the TV series of the same name. Michael Palin recreated the journey of Philas Fogg, as originaly written by Jules Verne in his own inimitable style. Even though the journey can now be done in 36hrs by plane it could not be described as an adventure. Michael's route took him from the Reform club in London, circumnavigating the globe via France, Italy, Greece, Crete, Eygpt, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan, US, & then back to good old Blighty. Most of the journey was at sea using a variety of craft big & small, most of the ...  Read the complete review

The basic premise of Palin's travels as described in this book was to recreate the fictional journey of Phileas Fogg in the Jules Verne book. Having watched the television series when it was originally shown I picked up this book many years later thinking I knew the general gist of the story but not the detail. This book can be read either to accompany the television series as it adds a lot more detail to his journey, or as a stand-alone book. Michael Palin writes engagingly and honestly and kept my interest throughout. He vividly describes the countries he visits and the people he meets. Countries I've never wanted to visit before, I now can't wait to ...  Read the complete review

This book, written to accompany the 1989 TV Series, is a more personal, diary-like account of the first of Michael Palin's epic TV journeys. Even if you have the DVD/VHS editions, there is still much to recommend here. The TV version allows you to act as an observer whilst the book offers you the chance to experience more of Michael's thoughts and feelings. This was far from his first written work and it shows. He has an easy, relaxed style, impossible to read without hearing his voice. The trip is presented chronologically, beginning at The Reform Club in London on Day One and ending with Day....the last (No spoilers here) when he returns. Unlike ...  Read the complete review