The Jules Verne Library

In which the members of the Gun Club embark upon a careful reconnaissance of Florida's varied landscape, seeking the ideal elevated plateau for the monumental undertaking they have conceived; amidst forests rich with exotic flora and the wary presence of native Seminoles, President Barbicane selects the rocky expanse of Stones Hill as the site from which their great projectile shall commence its c...

In which the ambitious project to reach the moon calls for a sum of money so vast that it must be raised through a worldwide subscription, uniting nations and peoples in an unprecedented gesture of collective generosity and scientific curiosity. The narrative delves into the differing national responses to this cause and concludes with the formal contract that will set in motion the construction o...

In which the noble quest to find a suitable launching site for the Columbiad reveals a spirited rivalry between the states of Texas and Florida, each touting its virtues with patriotic zeal and earnest debate. The matter is charged with political pride and local ambition, until President Barbicane, with prudent wisdom, renders a decision that quells the strife and selects a spot upon the Floridan...

In which the keen interest of the American public is rivalled only by the fierce opposition of a solitary adversary, Captain Nicholl, whose spirited challenges to the Gun Club's grand project ignite a contest of scientific wills and wagers. Amidst the clash of invention and critique, the indomitable spirit of perseverance prevails as preparations for the extraordinary experiment forge ahead undete...

In which a learned assembly of gentlemen deliberate with great care upon the extraordinary quantities and varieties of powder requisite for propelling a colossal projectile, drawing upon scientific principles and past experiences to frame their calculations. The conversation reveals a keen appreciation of the mechanical forces at play and introduces a novel explosive compound that promises to cond...

In which the ingenious members of the Gun Club deliberate the immense challenges of constructing a colossal cannon capable of propelling a great projectile beyond the bounds of the earth’s atmosphere, with Barbicane proposing a grand design of unprecedented dimensions and strength. They weigh considerations of materials, length, and weight, resolving to construct the formidable engine from cast ir...

In which a distinguished committee of the Gun Club convenes to deliberate the formidable challenges of designing a projectile capable of reaching the moon, weighing considerations of size, visibility, and velocity with the utmost precision. Among their ingenious proposals is the adoption of aluminium, a metal praised for its remarkable lightness and strength, to construct a hollow projectile both...

In which the whole of America becomes engrossed in a fervent study of the moon, as scientific journals and learned societies elucidate its motions, phases, distance, and peculiarities with remarkable clarity for the general public. Amidst this spreading lunar knowledge, fanciful superstitions and doubts are gently dispelled, while the spirit of human enterprise looks eagerly towards the moon as a...

In which the majestic formation of the universe is traced from the primordial atoms to the creation of stars, planets, and their satellites, culminating in a particular focus on the Moon, Earth's modest but intriguing companion. The chapter further elucidates the Moon's physical characteristics—its mountainous terrain, lack of atmosphere, and enigmatic chasms—setting the stage for the bold ambitio...

In which the spirited announcement of an unprecedented lunar project ignites an uproarious celebration throughout Baltimore, uniting citizens of all walks in a chorus of jubilant support and unwavering belief in American ingenuity. The ensuing days see the entire nation, and far beyond, engage in lively discourse and earnest endorsement, heralding a new era where scientific ambition elevates Impey...

In which the esteemed members of the Gun Club, led by President Barbicane, earnestly seek the counsel of learned astronomers at Cambridge to elucidate the celestial mechanics and precise conditions necessary for propelling a projectile to the moon. Through meticulous examination, the Cambridge Observatory furnishes detailed calculations of distance, trajectory, and timing, advising on the optimal...

In which the distinguished members of the Baltimore Gun Club gather with eager anticipation to hear their president, Impey Barbicane, unveil a grand and unprecedented proposition born from the fertile progress of artillery science. With measured earnestness, Barbicane sets forth a daring plan to project a shot to the Moon, captivating his audience with reflections on past lunar imaginings and the...

In which the chapter presents an insightful panorama of a distinguished club of American artillery enthusiasts, who, in the aftermath of war, find their inventive zeal stifled by an uneasy peace and a lack of battlefield necessity. The members, afflicted with a restless longing for conflict to rekindle their scientific and martial ardour, receive a mysterious summons from their president promising...

In which the night of the fifth of October sees a carefully contrived plan unfold, with Ivan Ogareff orchestrating a fiery assault on Irkutsk while intricate diversions draw the defenders away from the vulnerable Bolchaia Gate. Amid the chaos of flames and battle, a tense encounter between Michael Strogoff and the traitorous Ogareff culminates in a dramatic revelation within the walls of the besie...

In which Michael Strogoff, believed to be blinded by a fiery ordeal, secretly retains his sight and uses this ruse to complete his perilous mission, ultimately revealing the truth only to those closest to him. The narrative concludes with the defeat of the Tartars, the joyous reunion and marriage of the principal characters, and the triumphant return to Europe, marking an end to their long and ard...

In which a weary courier arrives in the beleaguered town of Irkutsk bearing a crucial letter from the Czar, delivering news of the advancing Tartar invasion and rallying the defenders to resist at all costs. Meanwhile, beneath the guise of loyalty, a malevolent figure infiltrates the council, plotting treachery that threatens the town’s very survival amid the tense calm before a decisive assault.

In which the city of Irkutsk, a populous hub of Eastern Siberia and the last bastion of Muscovite power in the Far East, prepares resolutely for siege against invading Tartars, with its diverse inhabitants united by a grand defence effort under the command of the determined Grand Duke. Meanwhile, the political exiles, led by the earnest Wassili Fedor, are pardoned and rallied to form a special cor...

In which a band of fugitives drifts silently by night down the frozen Angara, navigating treacherous ice and the menace of starving wolves amidst the glare of burning villages, their passage further imperilled by an enigmatic, flammable film upon the river’s surface. With icy currents blocking their path and Tartar gunfire resounding in the darkness, Michael Strogoff and Nadia make a daring escape...

In which the vast and tempestuous expanse of Lake Baikal and the Angara River provide the setting for a perilous journey undertaken by a brave courier carrying a fragile companion towards the besieged city of Irkutsk, amidst the cruel onset of Siberian winter. Aboard a simple raft crowded with fugitive pilgrims and villagers, the disguised courier’s indomitable spirit and the unyielding devotion o...

In which Michael Strogoff and his companions traverse a desolate and ravaged Siberian landscape, marked by the scars of recent invasions and the eerie silence of abandoned villages, as they hasten towards Irkutsk with hope and grave forebodings alike. Their journey, interrupted by a sudden and violent encounter, tests their endurance and courage, leading to a perilous separation that places their...

In which Michael Strogoff and Nadia traverse the desolate Siberian steppe on foot, burdened by fatigue and peril, their path marked by the haunting remnants of war and loss. Amidst the lonely expanse, they encounter the tragic fate of a devoted friend and press onward with steadfast resolve towards the distant promise of Irkutsk.

In which Michael Strogoff and his companions arrive at the deserted town of Krasnoiarsk, only to find it abandoned as part of a strategic retreat to deny the Tartars any resources, leaving them to face the formidable task of crossing the wide and swift Yenisei River without the aid of boats. Ingeniously, they transform their kibitka into a makeshift raft supported by bottles of koumyss, braving tr...

In which Michael Strogoff, blinded yet undeterred, and the devoted Nadia courageously embark on a trying journey across the Siberian wilderness towards Irkutsk, their bond deepened by shared hardships and unwavering loyalty. Along the dusty roads and deserted villages, they encounter Nicholas Pigassof, a calm and kind-hearted clerk whose companionship offers a momentary respite amidst the vast, un...

In which the prosperous city of Tomsk stands deserted save for the invading troops of Feofar-Khan, whose grand procession, adorned with Eastern splendour, masks the grim spectacle of captured prisoners paraded before their conquering sovereign. Among these captives stands Michael Strogoff, whose unyielding spirit amid public humiliation draws the stern gaze of the Emir and the wrath of his treache...

In which Michael Strogoff is brought before the Emir’s court to witness an elaborate and exotic spectacle of dance and music, performed by Persians and Tsiganes, all the while enduring the grim anticipation of his grim sentence. Amidst the vivid pageantry and sombre finality, a fierce resolve sustains him as he faces a cruel fate and finds unexpected aid in the form of a loyal sister.