Swept off course by a raging storm, a Swiss pastor, his wife, and their four young sons are shipwrecked on a strange, uncharted tropical island. This timeless, classic story of survival and adventure has fired the imaginations of readers since it first appeared in 1812, and it reads just as fresh as if it were written today. The natural wonders of the lush, exotic land make for an unforgettable setting, and the family itself will find a place in the listeners’ heart.
As they struggle to survive in the wilderness, the Robinsons discover their own amazing ingenuity and courage, each of the sons utilizing his own unique nature as their adventures lead to difficult challenges and fantastic discoveries. Although they have lost almost everything in the shipwreck, they are so resourceful that, when rescue finally comes, they decline to leave the happy life they have constructed for themselves in their exotic haven.
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"This book was written a lot time ago. Of course their attitudes about nature are a little different than ours. Overall, though, I found this to be a very enjoyable book and surprisingly well written, even for today's standards. I didn't find their treatment of animals to be all that terrible, as they treated their own animals well and in general only killed stuff that they were going to eat or that endangered them. Anyone in a survival situation is going to kill animals if their life depends on it. A side note, this book is very, very different that the movie so I would definitely recommend reading it."
— Dana (4 out of 5 stars)
“All collections should have some version of The Swiss Family Robinson.”
— AudioFile“Classic adventures don’t get much better than this.”
— Familiesonlinemagazine.com" No wonder this book has been so popular for so many years. So enjoyable, brilliantly done, i highly recommend. "
— Kristie, 1/26/2018" Read this with Matthew, along with Island of the Blue Dolphins and Nim's Island. Going to continue our Island Adventure theme now with Stowaway. "
— Kathy, 2/13/2014" One of my favorite books. "
— David, 2/13/2014" I read and re-read this book several times as a child, and was pleasantly surprised to enjoy it again as an adult. "
— Bree, 2/13/2014" I read this because when we went to Disney we saw the Swiss Family Robinson house. It looked super jungly. I gave it just three stars because I don't think it's exactly the best book. But I still recommend it. "
— C., 2/9/2014" This book is tremendous fun; every kid likes to think he'd be this ingenious in setting up a new life on a desert island. "
— Natalie, 2/8/2014" if the first 275 odd pages were like the last 45 i would have like it a loooot more. "
— Green, 2/6/2014" I get tired of the "Survival" books because there are so many of them and they just start sounding the same. But this one is an exception. I really like it! This family goes from being shipwrecked on an island to living in a giant tree house and having an ostrich as a pet! "
— K.Q., 2/6/2014" Read to my children prior to visiting Disney World. Great book to read aloud. "
— Linda, 2/6/2014" I love this classic tale of a castaway family. An upbeat family friendly read with a few good action scenes. "
— Jason, 2/5/2014" More difficult language and vocabulary. Adventure. "
— Jenny, 2/5/2014" My friends all made fun of me for reading this book, but I love these old books and this was as awesome as I thought it was. 'Nuff said. "
— Mara, 2/3/2014" I am glad to see that I"m not the only one who struggled through this book, and who thought it was horrible. I have such fond memories of watching the movie as a child though I had never read the book. I saw this book in the annual book sale which I volunteer at, and thankfully got it free, because it was one of the worst and most boring books I've ever read. There are no great adventures, it's all about their every day life and the killings of animals (mostly for food and clothing, other times senseless). I skimmed through most of the words, most of the pages, most of the book as I didn't care to read every, and I mean every detail as how they cut apart the animal, how they made this, that etc. There was no need for such details. Even skimming through it took me a week to read this book - ahhh! How does one island have such a variety of animals is beyond me? How about all the different types of vegetation? How do the boys never fight? How do the parents never fight? Six people alone for 10 years and not one fight. Don't they drive each other crazy? It wasn't until the end that the father talked about how it would be nice to see other people. Doesn't the wife/mother long for woman company? All she ever does is garden and cook and then there's never any detail about her jobs. She never seemed to have a voice. I found the father rude to his wife, to his boys. How is the father so knowledgeable on every single type of animal and every single type of greenery. Done done done - yeah!!!!!!! "
— Shelley, 1/31/2014" Over the top classic adventure story! Never know what crazy twist is coming next. Great read aloud for families!! "
— Selena, 1/25/2014" This book is one of my all time favorites. I read it long ago and it remains at the top of my list when I am asked about favorite books. "
— Kathy, 1/24/2014" We couldn't get through this book as a school read aloud. It just didn't keep the kids attention after the first few chapters. I learned a lot in this book and love the religious references. It just didn't hold our interest. Maybe when the kids are a little older? "
— Sara, 1/19/2014" Watch this Disney movie instead. Its WAY more interesting. "
— Stephen, 1/19/2014" A extremely fun book. Everyone should have read it...if you haven't, pick it up! "
— Mike, 1/16/2014" This book lead to so many day dreams. "
— Jo, 1/12/2014" Excellent read for middle schoolers "
— Christopher, 1/11/2014" While this book was enjoyable, I almost got too bogged down with the "ramboness" of it. "
— Cecil, 1/8/2014" An instructional tale, written by a pastor in 1812. It reflects his and that time period's attitudes and thoughts regarding colonization, family, morality, hunting, providence, and learning. Much of it is idealized. Knowing all that, I still found it an enjoyable and idyllic story. "
— Irina, 1/7/2014" Not sure if the problem is the translation or the age of the book, but a painful, painful book to slog through "
— Larry, 1/7/2014" I'm glad Niko and I took the time to read this together. It is a great "boy" book. Fairly dated in many concepts; language, gender roles, and the like. It was a nice way to bring up the topics and discuss how things have changed. "
— Julie, 1/2/2014" We read the children's version this summer as a family. I was suprised how well the movie followed the book (except the love triangle part.) We all enjoyed it. "
— Tania, 1/2/2014" This is NOT the Disney story we grew up with. But an interesting adventure story. At bit contrived. "
— Deborah, 12/29/2013" Read to kids the "Great Illustrated Classics" version only. "
— Angela, 12/26/2013" i wish they had stayed together "
— Roxanne, 12/14/2013" Lots of ongoing stories of the family. Good book, but plot not extremely engaging. "
— Jared, 12/10/2013" I have grown to love this book a great deal. I find the characters engaging and dear friends. I love the determination that comes through in the writing. It is an honest and entertaining book that I highly recommend. "
— Nichole, 12/3/2013" Half way through and really enjoying this book. I find it refreshing to observe the family's respectful interactions and recognition of God's blessings in their behalf. Ingenuity and hard-work are also predominant themes. I look forward to reading this book again soon with my kids. "
— Ben, 11/24/2013" Excellent read for middle schoolers "
— Christopher, 11/22/2013" I was hoping for more out of this and am disappointed. It was too slow and the amount/type of things they found on their island seemed too abundant for me. Where is the sadness and fear of living on a island stranded? Too positive and thus unrealistic. "
— Jason, 11/16/2013" this was SOOOOO boring. sevies: don't read it next year! "
— Molly, 11/11/2013" This is the original "Lost" but soooooooooo much better. I'd love to live on this island. "
— Katina, 10/29/2013" This was a painful book to read. It was unrealistic and just too nice! Even though I love a happy ending, I was starting to wish something bad would happen to this family! "
— Kia, 10/17/2013" Hunter/outdoors types like myself will find themselves yelling, "Shit! Quit shooting everything that moves, people!" "
— David, 10/11/2013" To imagine being stranded on a desert island, far from any trade routes, and surviving with only your wits, creativity, and determination is the dream for any child who is creative and imaginative. "
— Samuel, 10/4/2013" My kids and I , and our book club decided that there was really no real conflict in this story and everything was too perfect! It was fun anyway though! "
— Tashaeagar, 9/28/2013" I love this classic tale of a castaway family. An upbeat family friendly read with a few good action scenes. "
— Jason, 9/9/2013" Always a great read! Strong family values and unlike modern "castaway" stories. Strong morals and convictions hold this family together. "
— Dana, 8/1/2013" Fun to imagine myself and my little family in this situation, but highly unrealistic. "
— Adam, 6/23/2013" A great book to get the kids ready for the full version! We loved it! "
— Traci, 5/10/2013" Read this book to my 7 year old. He absolutely loved it. The Classic Starts Series is a great introduction to the classics. "
— Karen, 4/22/2013" Sexist, racist, violent. And yet a bit enjoyable. I read a lot of unsubstantiated facts I will never remember which will not help me to survive should I find myself on a desert island. I just hope I have many guns - seems to be the key. "
— Brette, 4/11/2013" One of the classics that I read and re-read as a younster. Set the imagination flying for a lettle girl in the middle of rural Saskatchewan. "
— Sue, 3/22/2013" this book is very exiting.:) "
— Ian, 3/19/2013" A good little classic. Nothing extraordinary, but it is a fun read. Read it years back now, but it is such a great little book for youth! "
— Liam, 3/11/2013" This book was too short, and since I loved it SO, SO, SO much I bought the much longer original version. It's thick... :D "
— slcc137, 3/10/2013" One of my all-time favorite books when I was a kid. "
— Lisa, 1/29/2013" The Swiss Family Robinson is one of my most favorite adventures stories! I really want to go visit the island that the family is marooned on, especially due to the vast amount of plant and animal life on it! I have reread this story many times over the years. "
— ♥Xeni♥, 1/25/2013" We read this as a family for a book discussion. The "Children's Classics" version I read was somewhat condensed, but that was good. We enjoyed talking about the family's ability to make do with what they could find, although the island was miraculously bountiful. Fun discussion! "
— Beckysue, 1/5/2013" My 8 year old read this and told me I "had" to read it because it was so good. Our version was abridged and adapted by Robert Hill, but I can't seem to find that here. Very good, classic writing that improves the mind. "
— Josette, 1/4/2013" It was pretty good. If you like survival, this is the book for you. "
— Briggs, 12/11/2012" Couldn't agree with you more Isabel! I was the same way. "
— Emily, 12/6/2012" WOW..scripture and sexism..no thanks "
— Eldiablodehowies, 11/28/2012" Kids loved this one too. "
— Gens, 11/26/2012" Just read this with my 8 year old. It was so fun and there is a part of me that thinks it would be so cool to live on a deserted island!! Until I needed to email someone that is! "
— Robyn, 11/16/2012" A great Christian adventure story! "
— Star, 10/14/2012" This book was too short, and since I loved it SO, SO, SO much I bought the much longer original version. It's thick... :D "
— slcc137, 9/21/2012" I really loved this movie when I was a kid. My brother and I watched it over and over. But the book is very different from the movie. However I loved it. Good values and family together - no wonder it is a classic. "
— Diane, 8/31/2012" Very good reality book, with a touch of adventure. I like it so far. "
— Phoenix, 8/9/2012" A fun read for my kids :-) "
— Alma, 7/28/2012" Read this book to my 7 year old. He absolutely loved it. The Classic Starts Series is a great introduction to the classics. "
— Karen, 7/21/2012" A fun adventure story although by the end I was skipping over the descriptions of their latest hunting trip. "
— Elizabeth, 5/11/2012" A great book to get the kids ready for the full version! We loved it! "
— Traci, 4/13/2012" Couldn't agree with you more Isabel! I was the same way. "
— Emily, 3/16/2012" How does a book about being shipwrecked manage to lack conflict? I'm also rather bothered that the narrator's wife doesn't get a name. "
— Shoshana, 3/16/2012" Soooooo adventurous!!I couldn't put it down. "
— Isabel, 3/14/2012" The book seemed to perfect to me, they needed more problems. I also did not like the ending. "
— Zonnah, 3/13/2012" Soooooo adventurous!!I couldn't put it down. "
— Isabel, 2/25/2012" I thought it was really good! "
— Theresa, 1/3/2012" this book is very exiting.:) "
— Ian, 10/17/2011" So exciting at first, but I tired of the plundering and hunting and couldn't go on, it was making me sick like I was inside the colonizer mentality, and the pious surface was too much. Maybe this would have been better in non-abridged form. "
— Jessica, 10/17/2011" I enjoyed the book. It was fun to go on an adventure with the family. "
— Tasha, 10/13/2011" You thought the movie was fun? Try the book! Way more adventurous! "
— Liz, 10/12/2011" This another one of my all time favorites, whose well loved velvet bing has also seen better times "
— Cassandra, 10/3/2011" Great daydream material for a kid. "
— Victoria, 9/29/2011" This and White Fang are my two favorite books EVER! Use must read. "
— Elliott, 9/20/2011" I loved this book. I had seen the movie first when i was little and i loved it then. now i've read the book and i love it even more! "
— Lauren, 9/9/2011" Not as good as <em>The Mysterious Island</em> or "LOST". "
— Nick, 9/6/2011" My friends all made fun of me for reading this book, but I love these old books and this was as awesome as I thought it was. 'Nuff said. "
— Mara, 9/3/2011" A great favourite from my childhood. "
— Kevin, 8/6/2011" incredibly boring impossible to get througj "
— Ski4life, 8/4/2011" One of the worst books I've ever read. Not a fan at all. Boak. "
— Kayla, 7/14/2011" The family killed every animal imaginable on their oddly paradise-like island. Everyone was congenial, never fell ill, or missed their native country, friends, or family. It was as expected for a bedtime story written by a minister. Not bad, just repetitive. "
— Kristina, 7/11/2011" I have grown to love this book a great deal. I find the characters engaging and dear friends. I love the determination that comes through in the writing. It is an honest and entertaining book that I highly recommend. "
— Nichole, 5/23/2011" I get tired of the "Survival" books because there are so many of them and they just start sounding the same. But this one is an exception. I really like it! This family goes from being shipwrecked on an island to living in a giant tree house and having an ostrich as a pet! "
— K.Q., 5/13/2011" I get tired of the "Survival" books because there are so many of them and they just start sounding the same. But this one is an exception. I really like it! This family goes from being shipwrecked on an island to living in a giant tree house and having an ostrich as a pet! "
— K.Q., 5/13/2011" I get tired of the "Survival" books because there are so many of them and they just start sounding the same. But this one is an exception. I really like it! This family goes from being shipwrecked on an island to living in a giant tree house and having an ostrich as a pet! "
— K.Q., 5/13/2011" I get tired of the "Survival" books because there are so many of them and they just start sounding the same. But this one is an exception. I really like it! This family goes from being shipwrecked on an island to living in a giant tree house and having an ostrich as a pet! "
— K.Q., 5/13/2011" Read to my children prior to visiting Disney World. Great book to read aloud. "
— Linda, 5/11/2011" Read to my children prior to visiting Disney World. Great book to read aloud. "
— Linda, 5/11/2011" Read to my children prior to visiting Disney World. Great book to read aloud. "
— Linda, 5/11/2011" Read to my children prior to visiting Disney World. Great book to read aloud. "
— Linda, 5/11/2011" Made me wish I were cast away on an island paradise! :) "
— Sherral, 4/25/2011" Made me wish I were cast away on an island paradise! :) "
— Sherral, 4/25/2011" Made me wish I were cast away on an island paradise! :) "
— Sherral, 4/25/2011" Made me wish I were cast away on an island paradise! :) "
— Sherral, 4/25/2011" I got the idea of reading this to the boys but they got bored of it as fast as I did. I wound up finishing it out of a feeling of obligation but didn't enjoy. "
— Kendall, 4/18/2011" I got the idea of reading this to the boys but they got bored of it as fast as I did. I wound up finishing it out of a feeling of obligation but didn't enjoy. "
— Kendall, 4/18/2011" I got the idea of reading this to the boys but they got bored of it as fast as I did. I wound up finishing it out of a feeling of obligation but didn't enjoy. "
— Kendall, 4/18/2011" I got the idea of reading this to the boys but they got bored of it as fast as I did. I wound up finishing it out of a feeling of obligation but didn't enjoy. "
— Kendall, 4/18/2011" We are reading the original version for our homeschool, and it has been a great read! I'm amazed, however, at how much the various re-writes differ from the original. "
— melody, 4/15/2011" We are reading the original version for our homeschool, and it has been a great read! I'm amazed, however, at how much the various re-writes differ from the original. "
— melody, 4/15/2011" We are reading the original version for our homeschool, and it has been a great read! I'm amazed, however, at how much the various re-writes differ from the original. "
— melody, 4/15/2011" We are reading the original version for our homeschool, and it has been a great read! I'm amazed, however, at how much the various re-writes differ from the original. "
— melody, 4/15/2011" This book is my favorite memory from grade school. In fifth grade, every day after lunch, our teacher would read chapter of the book to us. I was absolutely enthralled. I've read it several times since, and just had to re-live the memory when I saw the free kindle download. "
— starryblu, 3/26/2011" This book is my favorite memory from grade school. In fifth grade, every day after lunch, our teacher would read chapter of the book to us. I was absolutely enthralled. I've read it several times since, and just had to re-live the memory when I saw the free kindle download. "
— starryblu, 3/26/2011" This book is my favorite memory from grade school. In fifth grade, every day after lunch, our teacher would read chapter of the book to us. I was absolutely enthralled. I've read it several times since, and just had to re-live the memory when I saw the free kindle download. "
— starryblu, 3/26/2011" This book is my favorite memory from grade school. In fifth grade, every day after lunch, our teacher would read chapter of the book to us. I was absolutely enthralled. I've read it several times since, and just had to re-live the memory when I saw the free kindle download. "
— starryblu, 3/26/2011" I think the only reason I liked this book was because my dad read it out loud to me and we laughed for hours about some of the ridiculous things they do like sheep flinging. "
— Holly, 3/25/2011" I think the only reason I liked this book was because my dad read it out loud to me and we laughed for hours about some of the ridiculous things they do like sheep flinging. "
— Holly, 3/25/2011" I think the only reason I liked this book was because my dad read it out loud to me and we laughed for hours about some of the ridiculous things they do like sheep flinging. "
— Holly, 3/25/2011" I think the only reason I liked this book was because my dad read it out loud to me and we laughed for hours about some of the ridiculous things they do like sheep flinging. "
— Holly, 3/25/2011" They Killed too many animals including my favorite animal, a turtle. "
— Annabel, 3/19/2011" They Killed too many animals including my favorite animal, a turtle. "
— Annabel, 3/19/2011" They Killed too many animals including my favorite animal, a turtle. "
— Annabel, 3/19/2011" Remember reading this as a kid wondering what all the fuss was about. "
— Alisa, 3/17/2011" Remember reading this as a kid wondering what all the fuss was about. "
— Alisa, 3/17/2011" Remember reading this as a kid wondering what all the fuss was about. "
— Alisa, 3/17/2011Johann David Wyss (1743–1818) was a clergyman in Bern, Switzerland. A former military chaplain, Wyss spoke four languages, loved nature, and was deeply involved in the raising of his four boys, reading to them and taking them on hikes and hunting trips.
Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.