Who knew?

Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History-Making Race Around the World, by Matthew Goodman is a darn good story, full of little known facts, offering a more than a snapshot of late nineteenth century America and the journalism and prejudices of the time, and providing a bit of a cautionary tale.

While the story of Nelly Bly’s “race” around the world is the center of the book, there's good context provided of the run-up to the event. Indeed, much of the meat of the book is life after the race. I hadn't known about Elizabeth Bisland (who’s actually a much more likable character – especially in the sense that I’d have liked to have been like her).

PS: Nelly did the trip with but one dress. Elizabeth a good bit more!

There are beautiful descriptions of the places that Nelly and Elizabeth visit and an interesting perspective on how steam power (ships and trains) changed the world so quickly.

Much of the book takes place after the race, and does drag a bit; there’s some repetition and the book could probably have been edited a little more firmly, but the way it addresses celebrity, and its impact on Nelly Bly’s life, is thought-provocative. B+

6 people found this helpful

Historical and interesting for sure!

What did you love best about Eighty Days?

I found that I was surprised most how the world around me has changed so much from 1883 to now.....and how these two women lived, whether at home or abroad. How lucky I am.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved hearing about the foreign countries and thier customs, etc.

What does Kathe Mazur bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Well, it's more of a first hand account, rather than just a news story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't have an extreme reaction, but they certainly were much more brave about thier undertaking than I would be even in the present day. I neither laughed nor cried, I was more surprised at thier gumption! And some of the people they spoke with...Mr & Mrs Jules Verne and Mr. Pulitzer among others. A very interesting book, for sure!

3 people found this helpful

Great women

As I listened to this book, I was amazed at the careers both women had and upset with myself for not knowing at least Nelly Bly. I started researching both women on the net during and after reading this book. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any historical fans.

2 people found this helpful

Mediocre and Long

I didn't love this book although I really wanted to. The author seemed more interested in the general history of the time than in his main story line. There were far too many segues and non-sequitors for my liking, and there was something in the tone that made me think the author strongly disliked his subjects. At the end of the day this is too long to be worth picking up as a filler and probably not worth reading for fun.

2 people found this helpful

Love the story - Unsung heroines

If you could sum up Eighty Days in three words, what would they be?

Adventurous. Informative, Entertaining

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nellie Bly - Reminds me of myself but with more gutts.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Kathe Mazur?

Yes

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When she met with Jules Verne in France

Any additional comments?

Good Read!

1 person found this helpful

Engaging and interesting

I read a lot of history, especially American history, but I was barely aware of Nellie Bly and her story until I read this book. I really enjoyed reading it. An easy and engaging listen.

1 person found this helpful

Disappointed

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would not recommend to a friend. There was so much potential for this book. Excellent subject matter! I really had to concentrate to stay interested in the book. It was so dry. I think it could have been terrific if told in the first person by each woman. The things these woman saw was described adequately. What was missing for me was the emotion they felt.

Can you imagine how excited, terrified, liberated, angry, fortunate they must felt? I wanted to hear about how they felt as they saw these things. And they were two totally different woman who had 2 totally different experiences. I could not remember which woman's trip was being told. They both sounded exactly the same, outside of physical location.

Because this story never reached into their brains, I felt bored. It was more of a travel log than a story. I didn't feel any desire to be these woman, know them or lived in the period. To me, that makes a historical novel a success, I should wish I could have been right there. With this book, I just kept checking to see how much time I had left to be done.

Would you ever listen to anything by Matthew Goodman again?

Nope.

What about Kathe Mazur’s performance did you like?

I would not have even finished the book except for her pleasant performance.

Could you see Eighty Days being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes, it would be better as a movie than it was a book. A director would give the woman some emotion and opinions.

1 person found this helpful

Eighty Days, history, biographical, very interesting facts, funny stories, sadness, winner and almost winners. Loved it!

I read it and enjoyed learning so many interesting things. I later decided to listen while I exercised. I found myself excitedly looking forward to my favorite parts. Above all, this is a fun book to read.

Two young journalists race around the world

As a fan of Jules Verne I was interested in this title and just had to get it. I knew of Nellie Bly, but had never heard of Elizabeth Bisland. Nellie Bly started off, trying to do the trip in 75 days, and Bisland's boss sent her off 9 hours later. One headed east, the other west. Who will arrive first? I made sure not to look anything up so it could be a total surprise.

Both women were traveling alone and both hit some bumps along the road. I had expected Bly to want to do more investigations and writing on the trip than she did, but she was more focused on her journey. I have great respect for both her and Bisland because traveling alone is dangerous. What an adventure!

I give this 4 stars because it needs a little editing. It really could be about 20% shorter I think. A journey around the world should read a little more exciting. The narration is 5 stars - well done!

I wish that Audible would add PDFs with the photos and map. I'm going to borrow the ebook from the library to look at them.

detailed and beautiful story

this book is very long, but describes in beautiful detail, the excitement of adventure in traveling around the world to beat the clock before the invention of planes, or phones. Two women, who travel alone, when women were not thought of highly. There is adventure, but also a complete biography of both women. I loved it.