Master of the World

Robur #1-2

by Jules Verne

Strange events are occurring around the world, involving lights, sounds and flags that are hung in seemingly impossible to get to locations. At the meeting of the Weldon Institute in Philadelphia, Uncle Prudent (President) and Phil Evans (Secretary) and the membership debate about whether their balloon the Goahead, should have its directional screw located in the front or the back. A man called Robur interrupts and takes over their meeting; he insists that to master the skies, a flying vehicle must be heavier than air. His remarks infuriate the balloonists and after their meeting, Uncle Prudent and Phil are kidnapped and taken on an around the world trip in the Albatross, Robur's heavier than air "Clipper of the Clouds."

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, France, Science Fiction Fantasy

184 pages, Paperback

First published July 25, 1993

About the author

Novels of French writer Jules Gabriel Verne, considered the founder of modern science fiction, include Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864) and Around the World in Eighty Days (1873).

This author who pioneered the genre. People best know him for Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870).

Verne wrote about space, air, and underwater travel before people invented navigable aircraft and practical submarines and devised any means of spacecraft. He ranks behind Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie as the second most translated author of all time. People made his prominent films. People often refer to Verne alongside Herbert George Wells as the "father of science fiction."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_V...

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

My own reaction to this was that Verne's POV characters (two
balloonists in Robur, an American "federal policeman" -- proto FBI-- in Master) were very unfair to Robur. In the first book, he did abduct the two balloonists, but only after he was nearly lynched at a meeting of lighter-than-air proponents for defending heavier-than-air craft (considering this was written just as the Wright brothers were doing their experiments --it containsd references to the Mount Pelee eruption of 1902--this is very prescient). He does not harm them, but simply takes them on an ariel tour of the world, during which he performs two notable benevolent acts, first rescuing thousands of prisoners about to be sacrificed by the new king of Dahomey, and then rescuing a shipwrecked crew. Despite this, the two lighter-than-air partisans consider themselves justified in blowing up Robur's craft. partly to avenge their abduction and partly, it seems to suppress his invention which outdoes their giant balloon.
Even after this violent act, Robur nonetheless appears in a new craft and rescues the two balloonists when they take their craft too high in a futile challenge to his craft.
In the second book, Robur creates a new (much more improbable) vehicle travelling at then-remarkable speed (120 mph!) on land, sea, or air. He does not do any harm, aside from breaking a few speeding laws, but the US govt. is so
determnined to have the machine for military purposes that when he refuses $20 million for it, a "federal police" (proto-FBI) agent and his men attack Robur with pistols.
When the agent, John strock, is accidentally caught during
this attack, Robur saves his life, cares for him, takes him to his secret base (after escaping two US gunboats by flying over Niagara Falls-- a great scene), and (although we are tyold he is now "maddened") does nothing more evil than fly into a thunderstorm. All in all, he seems a much more decent fellow than his adversaries.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contained two novels by Jules Verne.

4 stars for Master of the world.

Great adventure story, full of excitement and humor. It is the sequel to Robur the Conqueror and is by far the better story of the madman scientist and inventor.

2.5 stars for Robur the Conqueror.

Racist (horrible stereotyping of a black servant, Frycollins, who is meant to add humor to the story) and boring. The only interesting action happens in the first few chapters and the last few chapters, all the in between in is just Robur (and Vernes) showing off their vast knowledge of then current geography and theories of aeronautical engineering.

[Carlos Costa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deslumbrou-me contemplar as várias paisagens aéreas aqui descritas enquanto os protagonistas Phil Evans e Tio Prudent eram prisioneiros de Robur e sobrevoavam a Terra. Somente desapreciei a maneira como é tratado Frycollin, o empregado afro-americano de Tio Prudent, cuja pouca participação na narrativa se presta ao ridículo por recear alturas altas.

[Derek Husar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of mr. Verne and though this book certainly has its merits, it’s my least favorite of his works thus far.

[Joshua Strayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible book and my first read of Jules Verne. Easy to follow and language was clear. The tale brought your imagination to life!

[Simone Santalucia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amo Verne e le sue storie ma questa forse è un indegno sequel di Robur il Conquistatore

[Redsteve · Rating 2 out of 5]

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea... In the Sky!!!!!

Or, in the second part, In the Sky, On Land, On and Under the Sea.

Some interesting ideas, but it's no surprise that Robur the Conquerer and Master of the World are not nearly as well-known as 20K Leagues or Around the World in 80 Days.

[Jimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While nice as an adventure novel, this book lacks the "touches" I expect from a Jules Verne novel (exploring what was possible with the technology of the time). Robur's vehicle could operate as a car, an airplane, and a submarine but without an explanation of how this is possible.