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A review by book_concierge
Around the World by Matt Phelan
3.0
Phelan noted that at the end of the 19th century the public was inspired by Jules Vernes’ adventures, particularly Around the World in 80 Days. In this graphic novel, Phelan relates the stories of three such individuals: Thomas Stevens (who set out in 1884 to bicycle around the globe); Nellie Bly (setting out in 1889 with a goal of besting the fictional Phileas Fogg’s record by several days), and Joshua Slocum (who set sail in a 36-foot boat he had rebuilt himself, for what would become a 3-year round the world solo journey).
Phelan’s illustrations are marvelously detailed and advance the stories quickly, so that he’s able to give a good overview of each explorer’s journey in one book. Of the three profiled, Slocum, a retired sea captain, was the only one who had previously journeyed far afield. I particularly liked Nellie Bly’s mantra: “If you want to do it, you can do it!”
Phelan’s illustrations are marvelously detailed and advance the stories quickly, so that he’s able to give a good overview of each explorer’s journey in one book. Of the three profiled, Slocum, a retired sea captain, was the only one who had previously journeyed far afield. I particularly liked Nellie Bly’s mantra: “If you want to do it, you can do it!”