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From the Earth to the Moon

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With the end of the American Civil War, the Baltimore Gun Club (dedicated to artillery pieces) sinks into depression as its expertise is no longer needed. However, salvation comes when the president of the Club, Impey Barbacane, challenges the Club to use its artillery expertise to launch a manned vehicle to the Moon. It's the kind of challenge that no American can resist, and soon the world is treated to the very first attempt to leave the Earth.

Jules Verne, that master of early science-fiction first published this remarkable book in 1865, and it is amazing how many of Verne's ideas found their echo in the real space program of 100 years later. Verne places his three(!) intrepid explorers in a "cylindro-conical" projectile that was quite close in size to the Apollo Command Module, the launch structure was built in Florida, and more. Indeed, for its time, this book must have been viewed as as much a work of science as fiction - the author went to great lengths to explain the science behind his proposed flight system.

Now, admittedly, the science behind Verne's cannon-fire launch system is HEAVILY flawed, and it never could have worked. But, considering the scientific knowledge of the day, the wonder is that the book is so logical and realistic. And even more, the story is often humorous and always entertaining. If you want to read a really entertaining work of paleo-science-fiction, then get this book, you will not be disappointed!