The Master of the World by Jules Verne
Author: Jules Verne | Published: 1904
The Master of the World Synopsis
The Master of the World, also known as Robur the Conqueror (French: Robur-le-Conquérant), is a novel by Jules Verne, first published in 1904. It tells the story of a mysterious inventor and the journey to arrest him.
The novel begins with a series of mysterious airship sightings across the globe. The airships are invisible to radar and can travel at incredible speeds. John Strock, the 'Head inspector in the federal police department' in Washington, DC, tells the story in the first person and embarks on an investigation in the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains. He learns that the genius inventor Robur is to blame for all the anomalies. The Terror is a brand-new device that Robur has perfected. It is a ten-meter-long vehicle that can function as a submarine, speedboat, car, or aircraft. It can fly at over 200 mph and move at the (then) unheard-of speed of 150 mph on land. Strock attempts to take down the Terror but finds himself taken as a prisoner.
Excerpt from Master of the World Online Book
If I speak of myself in this story, it is because I have been deeply involved in its startling events, events doubtless among the most extraordinary which this twentieth century will witness. Sometimes I even ask myself if all this has really happened, if its pictures dwell in truth in my memory, and not merely in my imagination.
About Jules Verne
Jules Verne, born on February 8, 1828, in Nantes, France, was a renowned French author who laid the foundation for modern science fiction. He is often referred to as the "Father of Science Fiction." Verne's works, characterized by their imaginative and visionary storytelling, have significantly impacted literature and popular culture.
His passion for adventure and exploration shaped Verne's early life. His father, a prosperous lawyer, encouraged him to study law, but Jules preferred writing and literature. Despite his father's disapproval, Verne pursued his literary interests, writing plays and short stories. In 1863, Verne published his breakthrough novel, "Five Weeks in a Balloon," which marked the beginning of his exploration-themed novels. His works were heavily influenced by the rapid scientific advancements of the 19th century. Find out more about Jules Verne at sevenov.com.