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20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Author Jules Verne
Language English
Published 1870
Notes

Sent to investigate mysterious encounters that are disrupting international shipping, Professor Aronnax, his servant Conseil, and disgruntled harpooner Ned Land are captured when their frigate is sunk during an encounter with the "monster." The submarine Nautilus and its eccentric Captain Nemo afford the professor and his companions endless fascination and danger as they're swept along on a yearlong undersea voyage.

Approx. 99,566 words.

Excerpt

hout apparent damage. Had it struck on a submerged rock, or on an enormous wreck? They could not tell; but, on examination of the ship's bottom when undergoing repairs, it was found that part of her keel was broken.

This fact, so grave in itself, might perhaps have been forgotten like many others if, three weeks after, it had not been re-enacted under similar circumstances. But, thanks to the nationality of the victim of the shock, thanks to the reputation of the company to which the vessel belonged, the circumstance became extensively circulated.

The 13th of April, 1867, the sea being beautiful, the breeze favourable, the Scotia, of the Cunard Company's line, found herself in 15@ 12' long. and 45@ 37' lat. She was going at the speed of thirteen knots and a half.

At seventeen minutes past four in the afternoon, whilst the passengers were assembled at lunch in the great saloon, a slight shock was felt on the hull of the Scotia, on her quarter, a little aft of the port-paddle.

The Scotia had not

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Average Rating:

2008.03.25
Michelle

Ok...

So, I read this book for a book report on a classic book. I had already tried Les Miserables and just couldn't get the hang of it. This book totally saved me.

This book is for those people who can think back to the 1800's when submarines weren't around, and we didn't know what was out there.

PS. Hey, Bonnie, Peirre Aronnax is FRENCH.

2007.10.27
Aseel Goro

I thought it to be better, I can't complain its a good book, but sometimes I just wished he stops talkin about food.

Its really worth reading on a full stomach.

2007.10.17
Moneim

I studied this book when i was at school.
It is very amazing one by Jules Verne.

2007.05.26
Amanda

I was fascinated when reading this book. I think that Verne was so full of imagination that he could depict the undersea world as if he had seen it with his eyes! This book, though not a detective novel, holds readers' breath.

2007.03.02
R Stephan

Although a classic, this book has lengths and lacks a good plot. Some paragraphs are missing (better try the 2nd version) - not the usual Gutenberg quality. Aquarians and ichthyologists will love it.

2006.11.26
TRaktor

I've read this book when I was a youngster and i loved. It was the first big book (meaning more than 50 pagest that is) that i've ever read, and i still love it, and i am happy that i can read it again. for the ones who didn't read it...well, maybe they should. It's an amazing book about Nautilus and all it can do, in a time when those things were only in the imagination of Jules Verne. Great book!

2006.11.03
Jarred Schneider

20,000 Leagues under the sea is a good adventure story for those who like action and adventure stories. It starts out with a creature that is causing trouble all over the globe and some people think that it is a gaint narwhal but they are wrong. The book is a awesome read for people in the teens and for adults to.

2006.05.24
Bonnie

"Why Read a Book About a Mid-19th Century Sea Expedition?"

Oh the possibilities! The Civil War in the US had employed two submarines, the 1861 Confederate Merrimac was the first iron-clad ship, and was followed by the Monitor for the North, which was built in an amazing 100 days.

Can it be that the telling of the story of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea writen in 1873 be anything more than genius?

The story itself is set in 1866, and the Nautilus, built to resemble a whale, but much more intended for one man's war on crime. Captain Nemo, and unbeknownest to the world at large, is the commander of this mystery animal-or-mineral... but dare one suggest that such a colossal ship could be built in secret without the knowledge of any navy, any country, any of the world's richest men or kings for folly?

The book is written as the journal of an American. This in itself is interesting, when one considers that Jules Verne was French!

Another interesting bit of trivia is that when the Abraham Lincoln, the ship which Aronnax has boarded at the last minute because he agreed to join the expedition at the last minute, leaves its dock, the American flag is raised three times, waving proudly its 39 stars!

In case the first time you saw the name Nemo was in a Pixar animae, look again!

Forget the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction at Disneyland, based on the loosely adapted Disney Movie of Jules Verne's masterpiece. Get this book and read it for yourself - it's a real trip :o)

2005.11.10
Sidney Hobbs

Hard To Read. Film was better and that was a bit Blah.