Other editions of book Michael Strogoff; Or, The Courier of the Czar

Though Michael Strogoff: The Courier of the Czar hews more closely to the genre of historical fiction than the science fiction for which Jules Verne is best known, the novel contains the same action-packed adventure and intrigue that made Verne famous, and critics now regard it as one of the author's most fully realized literary efforts. A must-read for Verne fans and lovers of fast-paced historical adventures.

Jules Gabriel Verne (February 8, 1828 – March 24, 1905) was a French author who pioneered the science fictiongenre. He is best known for his novels Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870), A Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1873). Verne wrote about space, air, and underwater travels before air travel and practical submarines were invented, and before practical means of space travel had been devised. He is the second most translated author in the world (after Agatha Christie). Some of his books have also been made into live-action and animated films and television shows. Verne is often referred to as the "Father of Science Fiction", a title sometimes shared with Hugo Gernsback and H. G. Wells. -wikipedia

Michael Strogoff, a 30-year-old native of Omsk, is a courier for Tsar Alexander II of. The Tartar Khan (prince), Feofar Khan, incites a rebellion and separates the Russian Far East from the mainland, severing telegraph lines. Rebels encircle Irkutsk, where the local governor, a brother of the Tsar, is making a last stand. Strogoff is sent to Irkutsk to warn the governor about the traitor Ivan Ogareff, a former colonel, who was once demoted and exiled and now seeks revenge against the imperial family.

“Sire, a fresh dispatch.”“Whence?”“From Tomsk?”“Is the wire cut beyond that city?”“Yes, sire, since yesterday.”“Telegraph hourly to Tomsk, General, and keep me informed of all that occurs.”“Sire, it shall be done,” answered General Kissoff.In this 1876 “Mission Impossible” tale of intrigue set in Russia, a traitor has inspired the fierce Feofar Khan to invade Siberia and foment a rebellion. A sinister plot to assassinate the Czar’s brother, the Grand Duke, is discovered but all telegraph lines have been cut. Only one of the Czar’s courier’s is qualified to handle the dangerous and arduous mission to warn the Siberian Governor General of the impending invasion, Michael Strogoff.

The hero of the novel, courier Mikhail Strogov, on behalf of the emperor sets off on a long journey from Moscow to Irkutsk through Siberia, captured by the "Tatars' uprising" in order to save the tsar's brother. An unusual trip to Irkutsk, created by the imagination of a French novelist, turned out to be so fascinating that in France there was a fashion for everything Russian, several generations were read this book.

Michael Strogoff: The Courier of the Czar (French: Michel Strogoff) is a novel written by Jules Verne in 1876. Critics, including Leonard S. Davidow,[1] consider it one of Verne's best books. Davidow wrote, "Jules Verne has written no better book than this, in fact it is deservedly ranked as one of the most thrilling tales ever written." Unlike some of Verne's other novels, it is not science fiction, but a scientific phenomenon (Leidenfrost effect) is a plot device. The book was later adapted to a play, by Verne himself and Adolphe d'Ennery. Incidental music to the play was written by Alexandre Artus in 1880. The book has been adapted several times for films, television and cartoon series.

1877. The Courier of the Czar. Translated by W. H. G. Kingston. Revised by Julius Chambers. With Ninety Full-Page Illustrations. New York: Scribner, Armstrong & Company, 1877. 6 pp undated ads. Original green cloth pictorially decorated in black and gilt, beveled. First Illustrated (and first hard-bound) American Edition of this historical tale of adventure taking place during a Siberian revolt by the Tartars. The czar must get a message to his brother the arch-duke, in Irkutsk, for which he chooses his best courier, Michael Strogoff. The first publication in English, in October 1876, was in a wrappered American edition by Frank Leslie; Sampson Low's U. K. edition came out two months later (in December 1876, despite the 1877 date on the title page). This Scribner Armstrong edition came out a few weeks later, in January 1877; it sold so well that by February a third edition was being advertised. This copy is in green cloth, one of several colors used without priority (we have also had terra-cotta and red). It is in fine condition, with scarcely any wear or soil. We have never seen a copy in better condition