The Mysterious Island

More about the book

Set during the American Civil War, the story follows five Northern prisoners who escape by commandeering a hydrogen balloon. Their journey leads them to a remote volcanic island, which they name Lincoln Island in honor of Abraham Lincoln. The group, including a railroad engineer, an ex-slave, a sailor, and a journalist, utilizes their diverse skills to survive and thrive. They create a range of innovations, from fire and pottery to a telegraph and a ship, all while establishing a home in a cliffside cave called Granite House.