Nellie Bly

“Emerson makes her come alive without contriving events or dialogue.” The Book Report

Aimed at young readers, Nellie Bly is the story of the groundbreaking investigative reporter who was born Elizabeth Cochran. As Nellie, she became famous for writing newspaper articles about controversial subjects at a time in history when journalism was not considered a proper career for women. She wrote about the deplorable conditions in factories and prisons, went undercover to expose businesses that exploited newly arrived single women and homeless children, and once spent ten days in an insane asylum to expose abuses there. Then, in 1890, she became the most famous person in the world by circling the globe in 72 days. Traveling by train, ship, mule cart, and sampan, she beat the fictional record set in Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days. In addition to detailing Nellie Bly’s professional achievements, this biography also tells the story of her later marriage to a millionaire, her attempt at running a business, and her experiences in Europe during World War I.