Fortunate is the reader sitting down with this novel.There have been many great adventure stories written in the past, and there are many celebrated literary works sitring on library shelves throughout the world, yet rare is the book that successfully combines the art of fine writing with the page-turning appeal of a suspenseful, action-driven tale. Kidnapped is one of those rare books. And--if that alone were not enough to make it a treasure---it also has the added quality of being an historical novel.

  This combination of attributes no doubt accounts for why Kidnapped is still being appreciated more than 115 years after it was written. It is quite an accomplishment,for in these modern times a book that continues to be read so much as five years after publication is a distinguished exception.

After his father dies, David Balfour is told to go to his uncle for his inheritance. But the uncle has no intention of letting the riches go -- so he plots to kill Balfour, ultimately arranging for him to be kidnapped as a slave bound for the American colonies. Balfour's future looks bleak -- until he witnesses a shipwreck and befriends the lone survivor, a rugged Highlander named Alan Breck Stewart. Together, they plan their rebellion.., and the fight back home to claim Balfour's inheritance.

1. I Set Offupon My Journey to the House of Shaws...

2. I Come to MyJourney's End

3. I Make Acquaintance of My Uncle

4. I Run a Great Danger in the House of Shaws

5. I Go to the Queen's Ferry

6. What Befell at the Queen's Ferry

7. I Go to Sea in the Brig Covenant of Dysart

8. The Roundhouse

9. The Man with the Belt of Gold

10. The Siege of the Roundhouse

11. The Captain Knuckles Under

12. I Hear of the "Red Fox".

13. The Loss Of the Brig

14. The Islet

15. The Lad with the Silver Button:Through the Isle of Mull

16. The Lad with the Silver Button: Across Morven

17. The Death of the "Red Fox".

18. I Talk with Alan in the Wood of Lettermore

19. The House of Fear

20. The Flight in the Heather: The Rocks

21. The Flight in the Heather:The Heugh of Corrynaldegh

22. The Flight in the Heather: The Moor

23. Cluny's Cage

24. The Flight in the Heather: The Quarrel

25. In Balquhidder

26. End of the Flight: We Pass the Forth

27. I Come to Mr. Rankeillor

28. I Go in Quest of My Inheritance

29. I Come into My Kingdom

30. Good-by!

Glossary