Jules Verne: Seven Novels, Complete and Unabridged

by Jules Verne

Writing from France in the nineteenth century, Jules Verne expressed the universal fascination with adventure and exploration. Featuring Five Weeks in a Balloon, A Journey to the Center of the Earth, From the Earth to the Moon, Round the Moon,Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Around the World in Eighty Days, and The Mysterious Island, this omnibus offers a unique compilation of seven of Verne's Voyages extraordinaires, stories that extrapolated developing technology into marvelous fiction.

This volume offers readers a generous introduction to Jules Verne, whose books are as alive today as they were for readers, new to the ideas expressed in them, during his time.

Jules Verne: Seven Novels is a part of Barnes & Noble's Library of Essential Writers. Each title in the series presents the finest works - complete and unabridged - from one of the greatest writers in literature in magnificent, elegantly designed hard-back editions. Every volume also includes an original introduction that provides the reader with enlightening information on the writer's life and works.

Genres: Classics, Science Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Literature, Collections

1196 pages, Hardcover

First published August 22, 2010

About the author

Novels of French writer Jules Gabriel Verne, considered the founder of modern science fiction, include Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864) and Around the World in Eighty Days (1873).

This author who pioneered the genre. People best know him for Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870).

Verne wrote about space, air, and underwater travel before people invented navigable aircraft and practical submarines and devised any means of spacecraft. He ranks behind Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie as the second most translated author of all time. People made his prominent films. People often refer to Verne alongside Herbert George Wells as the "father of science fiction."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_V...

Reviews

[Just Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Currently Read 3 out of 7 books

🔹Five Weeks in a Balloon 2.5 stars 🔹

My very first introduction to Jules Verne’s classic tales, and I am not stopping after this one.
I can’t wait to read his more famous stories.

The tale was a bit dragging, however quite enjoyable.
The most enjoyable part was the companionship between our three main aeronauts.

Africa has been on my most wanted places to see for years, and even hearing about it from the eyes of others were quite lovely.

Read: 16/01/2021
1st rating: 1 stars
Genre/tropes: Classic/adventure
Cover: 2.5 stars
Will I recommend: I enjoyed the tale, but wasn’t my favorite so no.


🔹A Journey to the center of the earth 3.5 stars🔹

I have seen countless of movies sprung from the tale of “the journey to the center of the earth” and I thought it was about time to experience the true story.

It was a classic adventure tale that had a bit of a slow start, but wrapped up in glory.
Due to the time it was written it was a vastly different language that despite me having a few issues here and there I strangely enjoyed it. I can understand why Jules Verne was considered ahead of his time.

Read: 03.08.2024
1st rating: 3,5 stars
Genre/tropes: Classic/adventure
Cover: 2 stars
POV’s: Single - Axel
Will I recommend: Yes

🔹From The Earth to the Moon🔹 3 Stars

First part of this lunar expedition has been read.

The journey began with President Barbicane - President of a Gun Club in the United States.
No war is on the horizon and he looks for a different purpose.
And that purpose?
Build a rocket to the moon.

This book is about how this rocket comes to fruition as well as a few other gentlemen that becomes a part of this adventure.

For me it was a bit of a slow start. It picked up on the end, and despite the obvious different flow of language, I did find it compelling in its more traditional language.

Read: 15.11.2025
1st rating: 3 stars
Genre/tropes: Adventure- classic
Cover: 2 stars
POV’s: 3rd person
Will I recommend: No.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely Barnes and Noble edition.

The Seven Novels are:

Five Weeks in a Balloon,
Around the World in Eighty Days,
A Journey to the Center of the Earth,
From the Earth to the Moon,
Round the Moon,
Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and
The Mysterious Island.

Gilt edged, leather hardback. A keeper. Great tales too!

[Mike Chesterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gilt edged classics like this will fill my book shelves until the day I die. Jules Verne's stories are incredibly well written, although I agree that some of the values and ideas of how people interact and think about one another are quite difficult to deal with in modern day society. That said, the man was a visionary about science fiction concepts and ideas, which remain fresh even today.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally got to this chonker, and reading Jules Verne for the first time! His stories were pretty much what I expected, various fantastical adventures. Some I really liked, some weren't that fun. I'm glad I read this though, and got to know Verne's stories! Here's my ranking of the stories:
1. Around the World in Eighty Days
2. Five Weeks in a Balloon
3. Journey to the Center of the Earth
4. The Mysterious Island
5. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
6. Round The Moon
7. From the Earth to the Moon

[Dale Lehman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had trouble deciding between 3 and 4 stars. This is a collection of seven classic Jules Verne novels, in what are probably classic (that is, public domain) translations. Better translations now exist for at least some of these works. Nevertheless, bringing together these novels in one volume affords the reader an interesting way of exploring Verne's works.

The seven novels are, to wit: Five Weeks in a Balloon, A Journey to the Center of the Earth, From the Earth to the Moon, Round the Moon, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Around the World in Eighty Days, and The Mysterious Island.

Verne's reputation as the father or possibly grandfather of science fiction rests upon the foundation of these novels. He anticipated several technical achievements that would be fulfilled over the coming century, and yet he wasn't writing about the future. He was writing about the here and now, which for him was the second half of the 19th century. While the adventure in these stories ranges from daring to far-fetched, the science was firmly grounded in reality. He describes real theories, real hypotheses, and real technology. When he plunges into the unknown, he bases it firmly in the known. There is no nuclear power on the Nautilus, for example; everything is done by electricity, and the electricity is generated by means that could have been possible at the time.

It's probably more reasonable, therefore, to look at these not as science fiction stories, but as adventure stories, and even more as stories about incredible journeys. In them, men fly over Africa in a hot air balloon; walk far below the surface of the Earth through natural tunnels; dive into the ocean depths in a submarine; fire themselves into space with a gigantic cannon; circumnavigate the world by train, boat, and elephant; and escape the ravages of war in a balloon only to be stranded on an uninhabited island where they must use all their wits and skills to survive.

These are not, however, modern novels, and even in the best of translations they might tax many modern readers. Verne spends considerable time in technical description. He catalogues species, discusses theories, and describes technical processes to a degree that most writers today would never dare. I think it's worth wading through them, but not everyone would care to make the attempt, I suspect. This is especially true of the final and longest entry, The Mysterious Island, which in some respects seems to exist for the sole purpose of being an epilogue to Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, except that Verne doesn't connect to the earlier work until just a few chapters from the end. (In case you don't know the connection, I'll bite my tongue here.)

So there you have it, for what it's worth. I'm glad I read these novels in this setting. Your mileage may vary.

[Samantha Matherne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read the first novel in this collection, Five Weeks in a Balloon, and thought it was a very fun, adventurous read. In 3 years I haven't returned to the collection, but when I feel ready, I definitely will. Jules Verne is classic adventure sci-fi who came up with some really bizarre but interesting tales.

[Maik · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read 6 out of 7, but I just can't be bothered to read The Mysterious Island.

[Warren R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Library of Essential Writers" series of books are affordable and beautiful editions, not to mention sturdy [they are all in hardcover] and number about 31 works in all.They are getting harder to come by but many of the titles are still available at B&N at a bargain. This edition features seven novels by Jules Verne which are complete and unabridged, i.e. "Five Weeks in a Balloon", "A Journey to the Center of the Earth", "From the Earth to the Moon", "Round the Moon", "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea", "Around the World in Eighty Days", and "The Mysterious Island". There is a brief introduction by Mike Ashley, a renowned scholar of science fiction. This set is worth getting if one is able to find it at its original retail price [and not at the inflated price listed by third party sellers].

[Adri G.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, my childhood! :)

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have only read the last title in this collection so far, Mysterious Island. I really enjoyed a wide variety of things in this book....characters, adventure, suspense, danger, humor, relationships, thought and belief processes, mysteries, nature/science...to list some. Especially in the first portion of the book there was quite a few paragraphs scattered throughout with descriptions of processes that were too technical for me to comprehend them all...however, I found most of them quite fascinating in some way or another. I have no idea of the manufacturing processes are accurate depictions or not, but to my mind it made sense. ha! If I had tried to understand each of the processes thoroughly, I likely would have lost interest in the book...however I approached those portions lightly and appreciated the big picture that was being presented and simply stay soaked in the wow factor. Those with very technical and engineer type minds, likely will thoroughly enjoy these detailed portions immensely! IMO This is a book to slow down and enjoy and not speed through too terribly fast. There are some fantastic thought provoking incidents throughout. Although there are some "less intense" portions...which are still great, there are a number of happenings that unfold rather quickly. This ebb and flow of this pattern seems to quicken as one reads further into the book. With the last number of chapters wrapping everything up with some more cool surprises. And just when you think there cannot be anymore...there is! Except when one finishes the final page, and wishes for more.

[Reno Renes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five Weeks in a Balloon ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Journey to the Center of the Earth ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
From Earth to the Moon ⭐️⭐️
Round the Moon ⭐️⭐️
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Around the World in Eighty Days ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Mysterious Island ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Adam Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jules Verne's writing always brings you right into the hearts and minds of the characters, in a way that is very appealing, even though the writing is rather dry. Almost everyone in his world seems to be well-meaning, or at least have good reasons for their actions, which makes the setting seem attractive. The research that Jules Verne carried out pays off in the wonderful detail to all his novels. I have been enjoying The Mysterious Island during the lockdown from the coronavirus, which has been entirely suitable reading during such a time of isolation. Cyrus Harding, the engineer, is an inspiration to being more self-sufficient and independent. Thanks to a very special friend for giving me this beautiful volume, a wonderful present!

[Michael Sypes · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Five weeks" isn't great. (⭐️⭐️⭐️) Starts off as some hard sci-fi (for the late 1800's), but is mostly interesting for understanding European attitudes toward Africa and Africans at that time. Otherwise just a travelogue and history lesson."

"A Journey to the Center of the Earth" is still good (⭐️⭐️⭐️). Not great, but very good. Axel, the narrator, is very excitable, and perpetually amazed by his uncle and Hans. Ultimately, for me, the big disappointment is they don't actually get to the center

"From The Earth To The Moon" (⭐️⭐️)reads less like a novel and more like a third-rate newspaper reporter's missives from the field, or a history textbook trying to give you more than the facts by adding a human perspective. It's got some great passages about the technical aspects of the project, but almost zero characterization. It also ends rather abruptly, an obvious cliffhanger for the next book.

"Around The Moon" (⭐️⭐️) picks up right where you left off. Again, this reads less like a novel and more like a series of magazine articles, with a sudden shift at the end. Lots of exposition, little character development, other than descriptions of "intrepidness." While still fantastical and generally wrong, you have to admire Verne's dedication to the science of his time.

"20,000 Leagues Under The Sea," (⭐️⭐️⭐️) while not quite as exciting as I remember reading it as a child, there are still a few great adventurous chapters here, although a lot of the book is taken up with "Traveled through an area, saw a lengthy list of organisms with these Linnean classifications, and them's good eatin'."

"Around the world ..." (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) is by far the most readable/entertaining of the books so far. There's much less contrived examples of people delving casually into esoteric science principles or solving complex mathematical equations in the blink of an eye. Fogg, like the other books' primary characters is the same taciturn "brick" of a man, but Passepartout makes up for it."

"The Mysterious Island" (⭐️⭐️) is a ridiculous version of "Robinson Crusoe" with essentially the same cast of characters as the previous novels. Ultimately, there is little difference among Harding, Fogg, and Barbicane, or between Ned and Passepartout. The fantastic aspects are how the protagonists are able to continually do the work of ten men each – hunting, gathering, farming, carpentry, masonry, mining, metalworking, ship building, tailoring, animal training, etc. – beyond the realm of belief. The loose connection to "20,000 Leagues" seems like an after-thought, likely only there to satisfy the fans and/or the publisher to increase book sales. Frankly, if the actions of the mysterious benefactor had been more substantial, perhaps explaining more of the colonists' "good fortune," and not an aged Nemo, it would have been better. Being connected to Nemo doesn't really make sense in terms of the years each of these stories takes place in either.

[Gheorghe Paslariu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Regarding the actual book, it is one of the prettiest one I own. Top quality, as all the Barnes and Noble leather-bound collection.
As for the contents, I can say that I was disappointed. Especially about the first 4 stories. Five weeks in a balloon was just so boring it really put me off from the start. I mean, it's Jules Verne! I had high expectations. In these four novels there is way too many detail about precise mathematical calculations or chemical processes, etc. After the fourth page explaining some chemical process, you just tune out. The second half definitely improves. There is still a lot of unnecessary details as I mentioned before but the stories have more Adventure to it. Around the world in eighty days was just a fun mad rush to complete the goal, 20.000 leagues under the sea and The mysterious island were more interesting than the others. These two are worth reading, the others I would not recommend, unless you enjoy overly long Victorian stories with very little substance.

[Amelia.S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jules Verne: Seven Novels is more than a collection it is a celebration of imagination’s boundless reach. Within these pages, Verne’s pioneering spirit and visionary intellect come alive through journeys that reshaped how generations would dream about exploration, science, and human possibility.

From the daring ascents of Five Weeks in a Balloon to the undersea wonder of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and the timeless race of Around the World in Eighty Days, each story captures the thrill of discovery and the poetry of invention. Verne’s genius lies in his ability to merge scientific foresight with human emotion his characters are driven not just by curiosity, but by courage, longing, and the eternal desire to know what lies beyond.

Bound in an edition as elegant as the prose it contains, this volume stands as both a literary treasure and a monument to the origins of modern science fiction. Jules Verne: Seven Novels reminds readers that adventure begins in the mind, and that the future, as Verne once envisioned, belongs to those daring enough to dream.

[Luke Soto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book I enjoyed so far the 5 of the 7 novels

this was a true adventure / sci fi book author.

this was very very analytical and boring at points but at the other point it was super advernturous.
I can't complain over all. I enoyed what I have read and can't complain overall.

this was abook that sparked imagination and well I can't say nothing bad about the author. this is a great book that will get the imagination stiring and start the kid or the reader to start thinking that there is more out there that can be discovered. that the world is vast and open and open to all who wish to take the adventure the risk of the unkown.

I recommend this book for the realist. for the kid that doesn't like to speculate or the adulr for that matter. I think this is a good book and one I think we should all read at some point these where all just some of his higher more famous books.

its a good book and I do recommend it.

[Johnathon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic collection of Jules Verne's best novels, from "Around the World in 80 Days" to "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" that will be perfect for any personal library. While Verne's writing, particularly the science, is technically dated, it still makes for a fascinating read, especially when some of the science actually holds up (for example, in "From the Earth to the Moon", the rocket makers realize they must launch from either Florida or Texas for the best angle, near 100 years before NASA realized this). Each novel also has nice bit of variation, ranging from drama to humor (another fun bit about "From the Earth to the Moon" is the satire about munitions makers worried that wars are ending, along with their need). Overall, Jules Verne represents a standard in science fiction fiction and these novels are a must for any collection.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like some of these stories, and others I found quite dull. Verne's writing has some glaring flaws, and some of the stories manage to keep these to a minimum, or make up for them with other strengths, but some don't.

Verne's at his strongest when focusing on travel and transport, the possibilities of new technologies, and he manages to come up with a character of two who feels individual and likeable. Sadly, not all of his characters are so well-developed, and that becomes especially problematic when he dares to strand them in the wilderness, leaving the reader alone with hollow protagonists displaying their survival skills, while the weather does it's best to ramp up the excitement.

Around the World in 80 Days, A Journey to the Centre of the Earth and From the Earth to the Moon were my favourites.

[Santiago Alvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cuando M me regaló la colección de Julio Verne, suite que ya no había excusa para no emprender su lectura.

5 Weeks in a Balloon:
29/06/2024

Durante los últimos 3 meses (si, me demoré tanto), tuve el placer de envolverme en esta historia por 5 a 10 minutos cada noche. Fue una sorpresa encontrarme con personas únicos y divertidos que cada uno aporta a la historia de su propia manera.

A lo largo de su extensa travesía por el continent africano, los personajes contagian su sentido de aventura, asombra y ansiedad pura cada vez que el globo se ve en problemas.

Recomiendo este libro para todo aquel que quiera sentirse como un valiente explorador europeo, descubriendo nuevas tierras, culturas y criaturas. La redacción es excelente e impregnada con humor que hace su lectura muy fácil.

La siguiente aventura:

[Chuck McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful hardback collection of seven novels by one of the godfathers of modern science-fiction or 'Scientific Romance', as it was called back then). While the pacing of many of these tales may seem dated to modern readers, they are all still highly imaginative and entertaining reads, with a few - such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and From the Earth to the Moon - laying the foundation for the popular subgenre known as Steampunk, where more modern technologies are depicted in a Victorian setting and/or given a Victorian aesthetic. Highly recommended for any fan of classic science fiction.

[Ola Nes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jules Verne is a incredibly influential writer who has written two pretty damn good adventure books in The Journey to the Center of the Earth and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. The rest of his books are decent enough too, but are somewhat outdated as they are too long and boring for their own good. His vision of making the world seem like a grand adventure just waiting to be explored is unmatched. He is truly inspiring for this and this collection of his seven most famous works has been a fun adventure to read in itself despite not all books being that great. It has been enjoyable to discover Verne's adventures.

[angelofmine1974 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read two stories in this mammoth book for the 1001 list. Below is my review of both stories, which were superb:

Journey to the Center of the Earth - What I thought would be a quick read has turned out to be a long story but a great one full of adventure and surprises. Except for one boring chapter, every page had me questioning what was next?

Around the World in 80 Days - What a great story! Way too much detail however it was very exciting and lots of adventure! Plus throw some romance in there at the end (awww Mr. Fogg!) All in all a good read.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into reading this collection not really knowing what the stories were about, although I recognized many of the titles. Never saw any movies or anything. I really enjoyed these books! For being written in the 1860s and after, it’s amazing to me the technological things that Verne wrote about. No wonder he was Doc Brown’s favorite author. 😬 Highly recommend!

[Kami · Rating 5 out of 5]

After impulse buying it from a thrift store I’ve been chewing through this book for almost three years. It’s a long read and often exhausting at times but I absolutely adore Jules Verne. Perfect for long trips and spare reading time, I will be rereading it.

[Cieran Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding !!

[Gerry Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a Classic adventure story!

[Ppchsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book, one of my most favourite books of all time

[Dragonbone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been a long time since I’ve read these…fascinating considering when they were written. Need to revisit.

[Deana Hamilton-Grummons · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 stars.

[Bruce T Forbes]

If you are an older person then pass by this copy. The writing is far too small to enjoy reading.