The Count of Monte Cristo (Penguin Clothbound Classics)

This is an epic amazing adventure which should be on everyone's list to read before dying. This was actually my 2nd time reading it. I guess when I 1st read it years ago, it must have been an abridged version and I didn't appreciate the scope and prose of Dumas' storytelling. Reading the unabridged over 1200 page book is definitely the way to go to get the full import of this magnificent story. Once you start it, you become so involved in it that you almost forget to participate in everyday life and feel that you can't wait to get back to reading it.

I read this with the aid of two study guides. I consider it to be the best book I've read. The only shortcoming was it the last two chapters were unneeded and detracted from my experience. It's adventures are enhanced by the style of being written as a serial