Five Weeks in a Balloon

Five Weeks in a Balloon is a novel written by Jules Verne in 1863.

The novel narrates the adventure of three characters: Dr. Samuel Fergusson, a young Scottish doctor; Dick Kennedy, an American journalist, and Joe, a black servant. Dr. Fergusson proposes a hot-air balloon trip across Africa, for which he builds a special ship called Victoria, a hydrogen-powered hot-air balloon capable of carrying three passengers and equipped with various useful inventions.

The book is divided into three parts. In the first, the three protagonists meet and prepare for the trip; in the second, they make the journey; and in the third, they return home. Throughout the narrative, the characters face various dangers, such as a sandstorm, an attack by Arabian horsemen, a flood, an earthquake and a war between tribes.

The novel is one of Jules Verne's most popular, and has been made into films and television on several occasions.

“England has always marched at the head of nations” (for, the reader will observe, the nations always march at the head of each other), “by the intrepidity of her explorers in the line of geographical discovery.” (General assent). “Dr. Samuel Ferguson, one of her most glorious sons, will not reflect discredit on his origin.” (“No, indeed!” from all parts of the hall)".