Rating: 
Summary: Enduring science fiction classic
Review: Reading this book is an amazing adventure, as evidenced by a century of avid readers. I picked it up on a lark and decided to read the first five or ten pages to see if it was my type. It was easy to read, enjoy and visualize, and I quickly finished it.The story revolves around a young man and his uncle, who is a scientist. They discover a route to the center of the earth (hence the title), and the novel is about their journey. Once you get 100 pages into this book, you aren't able to stop. The things they find boggle the mind, but seem so real. 100 years from now, people will still be enjoying Jules Verne, because he captures the imagination of the young explorer.
Rating: 
Summary: A must read for any science fiction lovers
Review: Jules Verne's classic novel Journey to the Center of the Earth is a must read for any science fiction book lovers. I rate this book four stars because this book has great imagery and is very believable considering the fact that this journey never took place.
This book deserves four stars because Verne's imagination makes this book an easy read with his use of vivid descriptions of the journey. The journey starts off with a scientist who finds a map to the center of the earth. Himself, his nephew, and a guide journey down an old volcano towards the center of the earth. On their journey they find all kinds of, thought to be extinct, animals and cavemen.
Although the three men find many exciting things they also encounter many hardships. The men are suffering from lack of food because they are miles from the surface of the earth, and they lack water because there are no water sources nearby. The men somehow find a river that is boiling hot due to the fact that they are inside a dormant volcano. When they find the underground world they also get food from the wild plants growing around them.
In my opinion this book is one of the greatest science fiction books that I have read. Jules Verne is an excellent writer who wrote many great books. This book is about three men who go on an expedition to the center of the earth. The question that you have to ask yourself before you read this is will they make it out alive. Well you will have to find out yourself by reading this great novel.
Rating:
Summary: The Classic "under-the-earth" fantasy book
Review: No doubt about it, Verne and Burroughs invented the "under-the-earth" fantasy genre. Any geology fan or "rock hound" must read these novels! Even today, the genre continues. Witness modern examples like, Emerson's "The Riddle of Cthulhu," and the new movie, the "The Core."
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable but a tad less than I expected
Review: I have never read the hard cover version of Journey to the Center of the Earth. I have only seen the movie done a number of years ago by British actors so my review may be tainted. I very much enjoyed this Audio tape. Nimoy and deLancie are definately sci-fi favorites. I feel the portrail of Professor Lidenbrock was too harsh while at the same time the portrail of Axel was too weak. Professor Lidenbrock seem angry all the time rather than a curious scientist. Axel was afraid all the time and did nothing but wish to return to the surface. The music and sound effects added very much to the overall story and was done very well. I would recommend the audio cassette to anyone interested in a different format but don't expect something as riviting as a book or the movie. I will try other Alien Voice cassettes but hope others will be played out more interestingly.
Rating:
Summary: The Classic "under-the-earth" fantasy book
Review: No doubt about it, Verne and Burroughs invented the "under-the-earth" fantasy genre. Any geology fan or "rock hound" must read these novels! Even today, the genre continues. Witness modern examples like, Emerson's "The Riddle of Cthulhu," and the new movie, the "The Core."
Rating:
Summary: Journey Into Your Imagination
Review: PLOT: Armed with ancient directions, courage, and intelligence a scientist, his nephew, and a hunter search for the center of the earth and adventure. POSITIVES: This is a masterpiece. I am a Jules Verne fan and this is one of his best works. It is full of danger, suspense, excitement, and passion. I read this to my children as they were growing up and the story stayed with us all through the years. PROBLEMS: It is of course dated. This book requires imagination. It is long (44 short chapters). I usually read a chapter each night to my kids on a book such as this. If I couldn't finish the book in a month the children got restless. PROPOSAL: Purchase an audio version. This is one book that I'd rather hear read than read myself.
Rating:
Summary: If Enough Suspension of Disbelief, Excellent Adventure Novel
Review: This is a high-adventure novel. A German scientist puts together an expedition to follow successfully in the tracks of a previous, attempt to reach the center of the Earth. In Verne's time, it was not known that the Earth had a molten core, and the nature of the core, while believed by many to be molten, was debated. The expedition encounters many unexpected creatures, land-forms, plants, and obstacles. The pace of the writing is very fast, in general, with a few digressions to explain scientific debates. The science in the novel is actually superior to the science of the film, as the dinosaurs of the book are more believable than those of the film. Definitely a fun read! By the way, I read the novel and watched the film at about the same time, and now realize that the film was only very loosely based on the Jules Verne novel. The premise remains intact: a scientist leads a small team in an attempt to retrace an earlier expedition to the Earth's center. However, the movie added several characters and plot-lines, rearranged many aspects of the "world" found within the Earth, and inserted a solid dose of comic relief not found in the novel. The film discarded an ongoing discussion of scientific theory between two characters (played by Mason and Boone in the film), possibly because their debate is now a moot point. If this film, as is, came out today, it would be blasted as being totally unfaithful to the novel. I wonder if that occurred when the film was released. Either way, it is still an interesting and entertaining film. However, please do not expect the film and the novel to be very similar.
Rating:
Summary: Jules Verns greatest book
Review: Adventure, suspense, bravery, sea monsters, underground caverns, unbearable heat these are just a few of the wonderful subjects this book has to offer. The story begins when Professor Hardwigg finds a very old book with a piece of parchment in it. On the parchment was a form of writing in some secret code. When the Professor and his nephew, Harry, discovered its meaning they were both shocked to find out it was the instructions for a journey no man thought possible, the journey to the center of the earth! Almost immediately they went on the journey picking up a man by the name of Hans to be there guide. There were many hard times in this adventure. For example, the Professor thought that they would find water in an abundance only to find that there was none till Hans made the discovery by drilling through a wall. Who knows how they will ever survive. I would give this book a very strong four out of five stars because of its ability to keep you wondering what is next.
Rating:
Summary: Journey To The Video Store Instead
Review: In nearly all cases where a book is turned into a movie, I much prefer the book. This is one case where the screenplay is superior to the original story. Almost everyone has seen the movie (now out on DVD) starring James Mason and Pat Boone as the intrepid explorers, so the comparison is inevitable. I had just finished Jordan Stump's new translation of Verne's 'Mysterious Island' (Publisher: Modern Library; December 10, 2002) and was thoroughly delighted, so I was eager to read another of Verne's works. While the book starts out in good form, it really starts to drag a bit and getting to the actual point of the descent into the interior of the earth takes too long. Once there, we have only the Professor, (Hardwigg, in my copy's translation); Harry (Alec/Pat Boone in the movie) and Hans. No academic scoundrel (Professor Goetaborg) to race them to Iceland; no evil Count Saknussem to dog their steps and wreak havoc; no Mrs. Carla Goetaborg to keep the crusty Professor in line; and no "Gertude" to add comic relief. Instead, we are treated to a rather, well, unexciting account of what is of course a very imaginative journey. Frankly, without the additional characters and plot elements provided in the screenplay, it gets a bit boring down there. Which is, of course, why the screenwriters livened up the story to include, especially, the evil Count Saknussem. It needed that element of a diabolical plotter out to thwart the expedition to increase the tension and mystery. If you want the best of Verne, read the aforementioned new translation of 'Mysterious Island'. You will not be disappointed In the present case, buy the wonderful DVD instead and grab the popcorn.
Rating:
Summary: The Best of Joles Verne
Review: This is my upmost favorite books by Jules Verne. I liked From the Earth to the Moon but this beats it by far. No matter what you say I absolutly love this book.
| 
