Dominical the middle of the atlantic ocean. Six years ago in bermuda i embarked on a 140 foot sailing ship, the seat association education, i was at sea for three weeks away from telephones, internet and libraries. But i was in the middle of a Research Project on Benjamin Franklin that required me to read material in french. I decided to use my time at sea to revise my french by reading a novel in that language. The book i chose is a small paperback edition of jules vernes around the world in 80 days First Published as a newspaper serial in 1882. When i wasnt on watch or otherwise busy on the ship by slowly made my way to the book. My french was good enough to my surprise that i enjoyed the story and as a historian i appreciated it. A detail. Especially the nature of the sense the protagonist racing around world. At his london club he remarks offhandedly that scheduled travel services could take a person around the globe in a period of the days. Proved it, a challenge him and he is off