Book details
Robinson Crusoe
by Daniel Defoe, D. K. Swan
1976 · Longman Publishing Group
About the book
The story follows Robinson Crusoe, a mariner from York who survives a catastrophic shipwreck to find himself the sole inhabitant of a remote tropical island. For nearly three decades, he navigates the physical realities of isolation by salvaging tools from the wreckage, constructing a fortified shelter, and cultivating wild grain to sustain himself. He domesticates goats and crafts makeshift clothing while documenting his daily struggles and religious reflections. Eventually, he saves a native man from execution, naming him Friday and teaching him English and Christian customs as they work together to defend their territory and plan a return to civilization.
This simplified edition by Longman is tailored for students and language learners who want to engage with foundational English literature without the density of eighteenth-century prose. Readers choose this version to understand the mechanics of survival and the logistical details of building a life from scratch. The text provides a clear look at early colonial perspectives and the psychological endurance required for long-term solitude. Those who finish the book walk away with a practical vocabulary for describing nature, construction, and the trajectory of human ingenuity under pressure.
Details
- Published
- 1976
- Publisher
- Longman Publishing Group
- ISBN
- 9780582534445
- Language
- EN