Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne
Around the World in 80 Days was pretty much what I expected. Phileas Fogg makes a bet with his friends that he can travel around the world in 80 days and sets off with his newly-hired servant, Passepartout. Fogg is a calm, organized, rich man, and nothing throws him. It's basically his money that lets him accomplish his aim. Passepartout has most of the adventures. It's really more about the race against the clock than experiencing the countries they were travelling through. The story was first published in 1872 and it's attitudes toward native cultures are definitely dated. It was interesting to see the view of the America West at that time, though.
The blurb makes it sound a bit more exciting than it is. Fogg is a bit too reserved, while Passepartout worries about everything that comes up, we know Fogg will make it work. He is too unflappable. In all honesty, Passepartout is my favorite character. He's the one out in...