Jules Verne (1828-1905) was the first author to popularize the literary genre of science fiction. Written in 1898 and part of the author's famous series Voyages Extraordinaires, The Mighty Orinoco tells the story of a young man's search for his father along the then-uncharted Orinoco River of Venezuela. The text contains all the ingredients of a classic Verne scientific-adventure tale: exploration and discovery, humor and drama, dastardly villains and intrepid heroes, and a host of near-fatal encounters with crocodiles, jungle fever, Indians and outlaws - all set in a wonderfully exotic locale. The Mighty Orinoco also includes a unique twist that will appeal to feminists - readers will need to discover it for themselves. This Wesleyan edition features notes, and a critical introduction by renowned Verne scholar Walter James Miller, as well as reproductions of the illustrations from the original French edition.

InrtoductionTHE MIGHTY ORINOCOPART ONEM. Miguel and His Two ColleaguesSergeant Martial and His NephewOn Board the Simon BolivarFirst EncounterThe Maripare and the GallinettaIsland after IslandBuena Vista at La UrbanaA Cloud of Dust on the HorizonThree Boats Navigating TogetherAt the Mouth of the MetaA Halt in the Village of AturesA Few Observations by Germain PaterneRespect for the TapirThe ChubascoSan FernandoPART TWOA Few Words about the PastThe First Leg of the JourneyTwo Days in DanacoFInal Advice from Manuel AssomptionBeef Cows and Electric EelsTerrible FearsThe Campsite near Maunoir ParkThe Young IndianAcross the SierraThe Ford of FrascaesThe Mission of Santa JuanaEn RouteTwo Months at the MissionAu Revoir!NotesBibliographyJules Gabriel Verne: A BiographyAbout the Contributors