Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History-Making Race Around the World in Our Shared Shelf

Oct 28, 2016 Aaron rated it it was amazing

I only vaguely remember hearing the name Nellie Bly, and that, I'm sure, was only as passing trivia. The name Elizabeth Bisland, had seemingly been lost to history. Yet, Matthew Goodman had done extraordinary work in bringing the lives of these two strong, independent women to life in a story about a race around the world.

Fraught with peril at the notion of the 'fairer sex' traveling alone at the tail end of the 19th century, each woman in their own manner deconstructs the notions of patriarcha ...more

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Feb 22, 2017 Alejandra rated it liked it

I have very mixed feelings about this book. On the one side, it provides a lot of detail on the lives of Nelly Bly and Elizabeth Bisland, two female journalists who raced around the world in less than 80 days. Both of them were independent, self sustaining women, making a mark in a man's world. I enjoyed hearing about how they came into their jobs. The section on Nelly Bly's undercover assignments is quite interesting. Traveling in the late 1800's was quite different than it is today! I was impr I have very mixed feelings about this book. On the one side, it provides a lot of detail on the lives of Nelly Bly and Elizabeth Bisland, two female journalists who raced around the world in less than 80 days. Both of them were independent, self sustaining women, making a mark in a man's world. I enjoyed hearing about how they came into their jobs. The section on Nelly Bly's undercover assignments is quite interesting. Traveling in the late 1800's was quite different than it is today! I was impressed at hearing what they packed for such a trip, specially Nelly, taking a single dress and tiny carry-on bag. The trip itself is mostly uneventful, with many days in boats and trains, although Elizabeth's train ride across the US had some very exciting moments.
My reservations with this book are due to the numerous tangents the author goes on. Whenever a character is introduced, even if only having a brief interaction with either of the world trotters, a full biography is added. I do not mind a little history on my books, but the lengthy tangents distracted from the main story and the focus on these two strong, brave women.
The most interesting part of the book was the last few chapters, dealing with the lives of Nelly Bly and Elizabeth Bisland after they returned from their trips, including their struggles to fit back in after a period of varying notoriety.
I did like this book, I wish less time was devoted to prominent men of the age, and more on Bly and Bisland. I am interested now in tracking down Bisland's published essays.
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