But I can't possibly forget the rush of adrenaline and intense emotions, joy and thrill that inhabitants of Lincoln Island and their numerous adventures gave me - be it while hunting game in the forests, or rescuing Captain Harding, building a boat for a voyage to an island close by, fending off an attack by pirates, making priceless discoveries like finding a hint of sulphur in a nearby spring or even a massive block of granite (which was to become their home later on). Trying to recollect my feelings when I read the book for the first time ever seems a bit of a humongous task. In fact, my book has become so frayed around the edges over the years that I fear I won't be able to open it anymore without being afraid of ruining the pages or the cover for good.

I can't remember the number of times I have re-read this Verne masterpiece and discovered something new every time I had. It is one of those errors which some admire, others blame which God alone can judge.' 'Sir, your error was in supposing that the past can be resuscitated, and in contending against inevitable progress. Well, if I do ever get marooned on an island, I don't think I'll be out of ideas now :) If you're a big fan of adventure books, living the life of those characters over their long, eventful, and ever thrilling journey is one of the best reading experiences one can have.

Sure, it's a long book, but that does not take away a bit from the sense of adventure and mystery it offers. 'Civilization never recedes the law of necessity ever forces it onwards.' But it's quite a wonder how well this book has been received by many readers, and has not been criticized for being over-descriptive (or boring). I also imagined the regular reader might not like this as much. Personally, I found those fascinating, as I love all things Engineering. I did not at all expected this book to contain so much information. Then on the other hand it has so much more what we would never expect: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Geology, Astrology, Navigation, Cultivation, Food Production, Metallurgy, Biology, Medicine and so many more, not in mere statements, but in very descriptive explanations. One one hand, it contains what we normally look for in a book like this, elements related to a great adventure. This book is one of the most complete books I have ever read - literally. 'Before all masters, necessity is the one most listened to, and who teaches the best.'

The mysterious island book