Book excerpt: George, J., Harris and Montmorency, the dog, are the best of friends. Armed with interesting anecdotes, their quirky personalities and a boat, the three men and the dog decide to go on a boat trip across River Thames. But they discover that their fancy ideas of a boat trip, which includes visits to many famous riverside towns of England in the 19th-century, are very different from the reality! Jerome K Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat is a comic tale of friendship, misadventure and fun. It is a delightful story for all ages and seasons. Hidden within the seemingly funny incidents and comments are the writer’s opinions on the foibles in England’s history and society. The book offers a refreshing look at the various places, people and mannerisms in the country.