"If I loved and married, I would say to my mate: 'Come, I know where Eden is,' and like Edwin Arnold, desert the land of my birth for Japan, the land of love–beauty–poetry–cleanliness."

Inspired by sci-fi author Jules Vernes's Around the World in 80 Days, Nellie set out to beat the fictional record set by the novel's hero Phileas Fogg. After trekking nearly 25,000 miles by train and boat, Nellie made it back to New York in just over 72 days. Her epic vacation was followed with interest by the American press; her personal account of the journey was published in book form soon after.

Penguin Classics |