Rating: 
Summary: Great Adventure
Review: "In all the books I have read of people cast away, they had either their pockets full of tools, or a chest of things would be thrown upon the beach along with them, as if on purpose. My case was very different." (from chapter 14)
As others have stated, this book is indeed the paragon of the adventure story. It is fast paced, has well-developed characters, and exhibits beautiful and compelling visual descriptions of the Scottish countryside. One of the great strengths of this story is Stevenson's use of an ordinary young man as the protagonist. David Balfour, like Treasure Island's Jim Hawkins, is not a rugged adventurer, but a naive boy who is forced by circumstance to learn the harsh realities of the world; is forced to develop the courage to overcome them. David's struggles and misgivings help the reader relate to him far more than they would to the larger-than-life swashbuckler so common in other adventure stories. The story also shows how dire circumstance can forge the most unlikely friendships as David's co-dependence upon an outlaw rebel for survival causes him to learn that true selfless friendship is not bound by the ties of family, religion, or politics. This is a great book - A+.
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Summary: My favorite book of all time
Review: A family friend gave me this book as a present when I was in grade school. My parents started reading it to me, and although some of it was difficult to understand due to the dialect, I was enthralled by it. Eventually I began reading it on my own, then re-reading it again and again. It has become my favorite book of all time, and I must literally have read it at least a hundred times (I am now 54). I still re-read it several times every year.Although the entire novel is excellent, my favorite part is the Highland journey from Mull to Edinburgh. David and Allen's encounters with the Highlanders, and the marvelous descriptions of the countryside are so vivid that the reader feels s/he is actually there. Of course, very few authors can match Stevenson's prose for sheer beauty and power. I have also read the sequel, DAVID BALFOUR (aka CATRIONA) innumerable times, but have always found it a letdown after KIDNAPPED. Somehow it just doesn't have the same magic. I should also say that the only filmed version of KIDNAPPED worth watching at all is the Disney production, which sticks fairly closely to the story (although it does take a few liberties). The recent made-for-cable version starring Armande Assante (available on video) is an abomination--not only was it filmed in Ireland instead of Scotland, but it completely alters the story, adding all sort of plots and subplots, as if Stevenson's story simply wasn't good enough. Stay away from it. I envy anyone who is about to read KIDNAPPED for the first time.
Rating: 
Summary: What greed can do
Review: A young heir, an unscrupulous uncle, the fortune that divides them, and a wild there-and-back-again ride over land and sea to claim the inheritance---this a wonderful children's story, too shallow for adult reading, but worth the short trip for the lighter side of Stevenson.
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Summary: It's the Humanity that makes the book
Review: Although billed as an adventure novel (and that it certainly is) what makes "Kidnapped" so great is the deftly drawn humanity of its characters. I was surprised at how recognizable the two main protagonists -- David Balfour and his friend Alan Breck -- were. Neither one is stereotyped, and Stevenson is able to portray the good and bad in both of them honestly and with good humor. The tale can even be downright touching at times -- as when Alan offers to carry David on his back in their flight across the highlands, or the chapter concerning their quarrel and how they made up. I might be too sentimental, but rest assured that the book is never mawkish at these moments -- Stevenson earns our sentiment.
On top of this you get a genuinely exciting story and lots of local color as the pair race across the Scottish highlands. If there's one complaint it's that the book ends rather abruptly. Apparently, though, Stevenson left it that way because he was going to pick things back up in the book's sequel, "Catriona." I have not read this sequel, but based on Amazon reviews it is not as good as "Kidnapped," and sadly leaves out Alan Breck for the most part. This is unfortunate, but at least we can still enjoy "Kidnapped" for what it is. 5 stars, highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Didn't care for it
Review: First off, let me say that I'm tempted to give Kidnapped 2 stars. However, that would probably be because I had to read this for school and ended up basically reading it for a whole day without a break. It was tedious. Being fair though, the book itself was 3. It wasn't great, and it wasn't terrible. It was a rather difficult read for me, and I am a freshman at high school in Advanced English. Looking up information on the Jacobite Rebellion would have definately been helpful prior to reading this. Knowledge of the geography of Scotland would also have been useful. One of the reasons I didn't like this book was because a new character or place seemed to be mentioned/introduced CONSTANTLY! For the most part, they'd never be mentioned again. It was confusing, because the side stories which the author inserted every now and then were sometimes a confusing distraction. That was painful. I also had some problems with the old-fashioned dialect. Although it may not be as difficult as some of these reviewers make it out to be, it still was a challenge. It gets easier as the book progreses. This was an OK story. It's a classic about David, a boy who gets kidnapped and has a wild adventure through Scotland because of it. One of the things I liked about David was that the character was very believable. He didn't have any fake, "superhero" qualities. For example, he admits he isn't a good shooter. He's down-to-earth. He is a refreshing main character for an action story. Some of the side characters are also very well developed and humorous. All in all, I wouldn't reccomend this book. It's certainly not for a basic reader or a child either.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun Read!
Review: Got lost in some of the descriptives, but still was a fun journey!
Rating:
Summary: Ding! ding! ding!
Review: greatest book ever really suprised me and was enthusiastic could not believe the action and adventure. This book is a great book for people who like action/adventure. This book is facinating it kept me ready for anything that came around the corner. I belive (in the novel) that David was a brave kid and tried his best on accomplishing something, he tried his best to look for his uncle.
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Summary: Dated but still effective
Review: I totally agree with the reviewer who says that Kidnapped has become his/her favorite book of all time and that (s)he still re-reads it several times a year. Not that I re-read it, but I agree when (s)he says that (s)he envies anyone who is about to read 'Kidnapped' for the first time. I am about the same age, and I well remember my first reading - how I smiled when Uncle Ebeneezer served his gruel (porridge) - how I held my breath when David nearly stepped into space on the broken stairs - how I cringed with the injustice of Ebeneezer tried to cheat David out of his inheritance by selling him into slavery in the American colonies. Stevenson's 'Treasure Island' is reckoned to be his best book but, for sheer descriptive weight, superb characterization and sharp, sharp dialog, 'Kidnapped' is the one for me. In brief, 16-year-old orphan, David Balfour visits his uncle in order to claim the inheritance, left by his father. The uncle, having failed to kill him, arranges for David to be kidnapped by a ship of thugs and villains and taken to the Carolinas to be sold into slavery. While navigating the Scottish coast, the ship collides with another boat and the crew capture the lone survivor, a swashbuckling Highlander called Alan Breck Stewart. David and Alan become friends and escape their captors. On land again, Stewart is accused of murdering a rival clan member and he and David must now cross the Scottish mountains to reach safe haven and for David to reclaim his inheritance. The descriptions of the Scottish countryside are truly marvelous and the sense of pace and adventure keeps the reader hooked right to the end. I notice that one reviewer likened this section to 'a tiresome episode of The Odd Couple'. Perhaps it's worth bearing in mind that The Odd Couple was written a few years AFTER Kidnapped ! (In any case, I doubt that a written version of the television series would stir anyone's emotions like Kidnapped can). To most readers the historic aspects, along with the fact that the couple are being hunted by British redcoats is enough to maintain interest, suspense and pace. Read and enjoy !
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Summary: whits review of "Kidnapped"
Review: Kidnapped is a story about a young boy's life during the 1800's. This boys name is David and he is going through some hard times right after his father's death. His only family left is his Uncle Ebenezer who he doesn't even know. He travels to the house of Shaws where he meets his uncle, who turns out to be a very mean old man. David has come there not only to meet his closest kin left, but to also collect his inheritance from his father's death. David's uncle has him sent off to be a slave on a ship to the Carolinas, without David knowing. This leads to a series of adventures on the open sea and eventually to Scotland, where David and his new friend Alan are being chased by the English army. They eventually gather their bearings and find there way back to the house of Shaws. Here they get David's father's lawyer to help make David's uncle turn over his part of the inheritance. And then the story ends with David receiving two thirds of his uncle's income as David's inheritance. The reason that I chose this book is for the reasons that it really shows how cruel people were back in the 1800's and how easy people got away with mean things. It shows that no body was safe in the 1800's and even people with money were corrupt. The book reads very well because of Stevenson's great style of writing. This book also interests the reader greatly with its great action scenes that seem to go on forever and ever. There are changes in the book almost every other chapter that really change the way the book reads and this sucks you in even more. This book also catches an eye with its great imagery, I remember this one scene where they are describing a river that David needed to cross to get to the main land and the imagery was so good that I could picture this river and the houses on the other side. The main character David is also a very interesting boy to read about and all you want the whole book is for something to go good for him. He had to deal with so much and he doesn't get rewarded till the end of the book. If you are a reader that loves a great 1800's action book, with a very interesting plot, you will like Kidnapped a lot.
Rating:
Summary: an exciting classic
Review: Kidnapped is a thrilling novel that has withstood the test of time to remain a favorite. It is one of those books that you pick up and fight to put back down. A good read for those of all ages Kidnapped is one of the most thrilling books I have read in awhile. Kidnapped begins with David Balfour, a poor orphaned teenager looking for a rich uncle who he expects will accept him as kin and treat him right. The book follows David's quest for his inheritance from his miserly hermit of an uncle, in search monetary appreciation David finds himself and friends the likes of which he will probably never meet again. From the Scottish lowlands to the sea and into the highlands this book keeps you enthralled throughout its entirety with some of the most interesting characters in literature. Alan Breck, a friend David made during his shortened sea journey, nearly steals the book from the young protagonist, but the question about David's inheritance keeps your mind on him while enjoying Alan's many stories and adventures. I liked this book because it not only told a story of a kid who hit hard times and pulled himself out, but because he learned a lesson. It shows what can be accomplished with the right help and what can befall you without it. This book is timeless; as long as people continue to name classics this will stay on the list for its fast pace and interesting storyline. I highly recommend it
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