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thepeacefulmuser's review against another edition
5.0
Gumption, vivid historical detail, empowering and cautionary
ladygenevieve's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent book! Exciting non-fiction narrative that I couldn’t put down! Will look for more books by this author.
lconrad15's review against another edition
3.0
Bly's personality (not character, as this book is non-fiction!) killed this story for me. I was initially excited to read the story of 2 women travelers accomplishing a feat unheard of by anyone, particularly a woman in this era, but her cringe-inducing 'Merica attitude completely ruined my initial affection towards her every (wo)man role in the race. The story itself is interesting- I just couldn't get on board with the blatant hostility Bly exhibited toward other cultures.
carolpk's review against another edition
5.0
Impressed doesn't cover the half of it. Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History- Making Race Around the World is one romp of an adventure. A fan of vicarious thrills, this book gave me more than my money's worth. Who could not love the intrepid spirit of both these women and what they accomplished?
Of course I had heard the name Nellie Bly but truly knew little about her. Born Elizabeth Jane Cochran I was surprised to read what lengths she would go to for a good news story for New York's The World. From buying a baby to expose the slave trade, to feigning insanity to report on the mistreatment of women in Blackwell Island Insane Asylum there was little Bly wouldn't do for an expose. None though would bring her the acclaim and fame of her proposal to beat Jules Vern's 80 day around the world trip. With just a single grip to carry her needs and "dressed in a snugly fitted two-piece garment of dark blue broadcloth trimmed with camel's hair", she sets out on the journey of a life-time. Little did she realize rival magazine, The Cosmopolitan headed by John Brisben Walker, would pit his own candidate, Elizabeth Bisland, against her to circumnavigate the world in less than 80 days. Bly sets out in New York heading across the Atlantic, whereas Bisland's route takes her west across, 8 1/2 hours behind Nellie.
The race was enough to keep my interest but there's so much more for the reader to appreciate. A memoir not only of the women, Bly and Bisland but a period piece of New York and journalism. Nellie Bly's determination and fearless nature help to build a strong foundation for the right for women to hold leadership roles in the workplace.
Riveting narrative non-ficiton. Put it on your list.
Note - These comments are in regards to an e-galley edition provided by the publisher. I have been waiting for publication to post my thoughts.
Of course I had heard the name Nellie Bly but truly knew little about her. Born Elizabeth Jane Cochran I was surprised to read what lengths she would go to for a good news story for New York's The World. From buying a baby to expose the slave trade, to feigning insanity to report on the mistreatment of women in Blackwell Island Insane Asylum there was little Bly wouldn't do for an expose. None though would bring her the acclaim and fame of her proposal to beat Jules Vern's 80 day around the world trip. With just a single grip to carry her needs and "dressed in a snugly fitted two-piece garment of dark blue broadcloth trimmed with camel's hair", she sets out on the journey of a life-time. Little did she realize rival magazine, The Cosmopolitan headed by John Brisben Walker, would pit his own candidate, Elizabeth Bisland, against her to circumnavigate the world in less than 80 days. Bly sets out in New York heading across the Atlantic, whereas Bisland's route takes her west across, 8 1/2 hours behind Nellie.
The race was enough to keep my interest but there's so much more for the reader to appreciate. A memoir not only of the women, Bly and Bisland but a period piece of New York and journalism. Nellie Bly's determination and fearless nature help to build a strong foundation for the right for women to hold leadership roles in the workplace.
Riveting narrative non-ficiton. Put it on your list.
Note - These comments are in regards to an e-galley edition provided by the publisher. I have been waiting for publication to post my thoughts.
lizaroo71's review against another edition
3.0
Nellie Bly is a woman that takes chances. She sees the difficulties of being a woman in the 19th century, so she determines to carve a niche for herself. Nellie begins writing for The World newspaper as a journalist. At the time, journalism was considered a man's world far too crude for a woman to be a part of. But Bly proves her worth and is quite a success.
Nellie proposes to her editor that she be allowed to travel around the world alone. She claims she can do it in less than 80 days. And so begins the real story.
The book follows not only Bly's departure and journey from New York, but also Elizabeth Bisland's journey from San Francisco. Bisland works for a competitor's paper and her editor sends her off on a "race" against Bly.
As the women journey around the world, we are given interesting tidbits of history, both American and world, and have a better understanding of gender, race and politics.
Some parts are slow, but a great piece of women's history.
Nellie proposes to her editor that she be allowed to travel around the world alone. She claims she can do it in less than 80 days. And so begins the real story.
The book follows not only Bly's departure and journey from New York, but also Elizabeth Bisland's journey from San Francisco. Bisland works for a competitor's paper and her editor sends her off on a "race" against Bly.
As the women journey around the world, we are given interesting tidbits of history, both American and world, and have a better understanding of gender, race and politics.
Some parts are slow, but a great piece of women's history.
karen62's review against another edition
4.0
The author did a lot of research for this book about Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's race against each other around the world. In the notes in the back he says all dialogue was taken from sources, no thoughts were ascribed to a character that they didn't personally claim and nothing was imagined. I wish that was in the front of the book, there was so much detail I just assumed the author was filling in the blanks with what he thought Nellie and Elizabeth were thinking and feeling.