Robur the Conqueror
by Jules Verne
At the Weldon Institute in Philadelphia, a crowd of avid balloon enthusiasts plans to take to the skies with a state-of-the-art airship. When a stranger, the mysterious Robur, declares that the future belongs not to balloons, but to machines that fly heavier than air, the Institute dismisses the idea with disdain. But Robur wants revenge and has a unique flying machine that will allow him to take it. In contrast, a neutral argument in favor of aviation, a wild steampunk-style adventure, and an anniversary celebration of the dream of flying, Robur the Conqueror ranks among the most iconic and influential works among Jules Verne. Their technological speculation, including the memorable Albatross aircraft, is a vivid snapshot of nineteenth-century scientific innovation. A sequel, "Master of the World", is also available.
