Robinson Crusoe

By Daniel Defoe

Book Overview

"Robinson Crusoe" is a cornerstone of English literature and one of the most enduring adventure stories ever written. Authored by Daniel Defoe, this classic novel follows the life and extraordinary survival of a castaway who spends twenty-eight years on a remote tropical desert island. After a disastrous shipwreck, Crusoe finds himself the sole survivor, forced to rely on his wits, ingenuity, and physical labor to build a life from nothing.

The narrative explores profound themes of isolation, self-reliance, and the human spirit's resilience. As Crusoe transforms his environment, he encounters a variety of challenges, from the struggle for basic sustenance to the complexities of spiritual reflection. The story reaches a turning point with the arrival of Friday, a native man whom Crusoe rescues, leading to a complex dynamic of companionship and survival. Through its detailed account of practical survival and psychological depth, "Robinson Crusoe" remains a gripping exploration of man's relationship with nature and the foundations of civilization. Defoe's masterful prose and realistic detail have cemented this work as a foundational text in the development of the modern novel, inspiring generations of readers with its timeless tale of perseverance.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 102540615X
• ISBN13: 9781025406152
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 326 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.2" x 0.7" x 6.1"

Customer Reviews

Sent an abridged version. Very disappointing

Was mailed the wrong book.

Very nice

I love collecting various publishing versions of Robinson Crusoe, and this was a great add to my collection. Robinson Crusoe is a great book for anyone who loves adventure, it is a great read and a book that will continue to live through generations.

Very disappointed to receive an abridged version

Very disappointed to receive an abridged version

My First Book

This is the first book I had ever red, at the primary school about 45 years ago. It stands for British Imperialism just like G-d Save The King/Queen, Queen Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare's " Globe " etc. As a Torah Jew, who considers himself, among The Chosen People of The L-RD All-Powerful G-d of Israel and an addict of The Holy Kingdom of Israel, I have always regarded these wonderful concepts as The L-RD's gift and tried to take good care of them. After all, thanks again to Daniel Defoe for this beautiful novel ...

Great language and characterization

This is not a novel for those who like quick action and a lot of dialogue. Robinson Crusoe is superbly written, and tends to draw out the events, with a great deal of imagery provided in order to describe everything with minute details. Seeing as to how this is one of my favorite novels, I have read Robinson Crusoe probably about six times, in more than one language. My favorite aspect of this novel is the language in which it is written. Defoe's ability to make every word worth reading is enough to captivate and ignite the imagination. I do not think that if you like fast-paced novels that you would enjoy this masterpiece, but it is a matter of personal preference. If you enjoy well-developed character, then Robinson Crusoe's character is one worth devoting your time to. Defoe creates a human being, with faults and flaws, as well as dignified qualities. Robinson Crusoe is truly worthy of emulation, and is one of the greatest-developed characters in a work of literature. I recommend this novel to anyone who is willing to take the time to read every sentence and who is not so impatient as to expect action to appear on every page of the novel.

Didn't want it to end

This is a wonderful book on many levels. Despite his father forbidding it and providing sound advice about taking the moderate road, Robinson yearns to become a seaman. From the moment he directly disobeys his father and goes to sea, the Hand of Providence becomes central to the plot. From shipwrecks to slavery the point seems to keep being driven home to him that he is not following the correct path. When he begins living in the manner that he is 'supposed' to live, he excels and would do well. Each time he steps out of line, however, he is slapped with disaster until Providence is his sole companion and he has a wealth of time to consider his choices. It is an intriguing look at the grip religion had on the people of DeFoe's time as well as one hell of a great adventure story. I wished that it would keep on going.

A Multifaceted English Classic

Daniel Defoe's 1719 novel, "Robinson Crusoe," written when Defoe was 59 years old, is a multifaceted work whose layers of significance can easily escape those who read it in their youth. The English precursor to the survival/adventure/shipwreck narrative, "Robinson Crusoe" details the career of an errant youth who discovers hope and faith through experimentation. Crusoe's exploits are also important to a developing early 18th century notion of the ideal industrious middle class citizen, as well as reaffirming the growth of British Imperialism.As a boy in a household already fractured by rebellious sons, Crusoe lives aimlessly with his father and mother, always desiring to leave the confines of his home for the sea. Against the better wisdom of his father, who advises him to remain where he is and enjoy the fruits of an easy-going middle class life, Crusoe takes to the ocean. A series of ill-omened occurrences, including shipwrecks and enslavement lead Crusoe to a deserted island off the coast of South America, where he is forced to provide and fend for himself.Though Crusoe's spiritual awakening has been much noted in reviews, one important facet of his Christian moralizing in the novel that is noteworthy is the way the novel problematizes Protestant-Catholic relations throughout the novel. The vast majority of Crusoe's early encounters are among Spanish and Portuguese colonists and traders. It is interesting how Crusoe measures the English against them, and how that comparison extends into Crusoe's evaluation of the various 'savages' he comes across in the novel.Another great layer of significance in "Robinson Crusoe" concerns its attitudes toward English history and colonial ventures. Note the language of possession, authority, and control that colour Crusoe's descriptions of himself and the uninhabited island he must learn to live on. I find especially telling, in accordance with his religious views, how England's 18th century colonial competitors, the Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and French, are characterized by Crusoe.I could also cite the often explicitly homoerotic undertones in the relationship between Crusoe and his Native American manservant, Friday, as a source of compelling interest in Defoe's novel. In the realm of the socio-economic, Crusoe's appropriation of utilitarianism in regards to raw materials, money, and even people is an important theme. For those who have read it a million times or never, Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe" is entertaining and edifying, always worth reading and rereading.

A great book by Defoe

In the beginning Robinson Crusoe's father didn't want him to travel to sea he said that it would bring him nothing but trouble. He went anyway and while he was out sea a pirate ship got his ship, and he became a slave. After two years he decided to get away, and a Spanish boat helped him and took him to Brazil. In brazil he lived on a plantation for about 2 years and decide to go back to the ship before the pirates got him and get his gold out of the window that he left. His ship sank by an island and he was the only one that survied and he has to live on the Island until he can get some help. I think that this is a great book for young readers and people who like adventures.