Synopses & Reviews
Robinson Crusoe is one of the world's greatest and most popular novels of adventure. The story of a modest, never-say-die hero battling for survival on a desert island has captivated readers ever since its publication in 1719. This sensitive abridgment presents all the book's major incidents in Daniel Defoe's own words, thereby capturing the essence of this 18th-century masterpiece for today's children. Scene after scene is compellingly brought to life by Julek Heller's thrilling illustrations. This DK Eyewitness Classics edition features a map of Crusoe's imaginary island and offers significant background material on Defoe's extraordinary life, influential work, and turbulent times. Captivating illustrated annotations comment on the text, with extended passages devoted to Defoe's tragic biography and the hazardous life of a 17th-century sailor.
Review
Exceptional, high-quality titlesÖ Both for the audio quality and textual presentation, these are outstanding selections. (Booklist)
Review
Both books are handsomely illustrated with artwork and are chock-full of background material that helps explain the story and put it into historical perspective. The texts are abridged, but the fascinating additional data certainly offer substantial compensation. (Parade Magazine 1999)
About the Author
Born in London, the son of a candlemaker, Daniel Defoe (1660-1731) was a soldier in the Duke of Monmouth's rebel army of 1685. Between 1697 and 1715, he traveled throughout Britain and Europe and acted as a British government spy. He also wrote prolifically, producing a newspaper, a mass of articles, and some 500 books. He began writing fiction late in life -- his first novel, Robinson Crusoe, was published when he was 59. It has since become one of the most popular novels of all time. Julek Heller studied art in England, at the Chelsea College of Art and the Royal Academy. He began his illustrating career in the mid-1970's, working on a children's television program for the BBC. He has been illustrating children's books for more than 25 years, and is especially well known for his skill at bringing myths and legends vividly to life. Robinson Crusoe is his first book DK Publishing.