From Earth to Moon and a Trip Round it (Pocket Classics) [Paperback]

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Sutton Publishing Ltd
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750908246
• ISBN-13: 978-0750908245
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,436,066 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A book of thought and not of style, November 25, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Calgary, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: From Earth to Moon and a Trip Round it (Pocket Classics) (Paperback)

This book is really amazing when you finally sit back and think about the era in which it was written! There are, of coarse, scientific inaccuracies, but it is clear that Mr. Verne did his homework before writing this book - something that is clear in all of his books! Unfortunatly, despite the amazing conjecture that is put forth by this book, it is not as well written as most of the other classics. However, if you like science than this book is most likely a must read!

5.0 out of 5 stars A really entertaining work of paleo-science-fiction!, December 26, 2010

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From Earth to Moon and a Trip Round it (Pocket Classics) (Paperback)

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.

This book is actually a combination of two books in one - From the earth to the moon, first published in 1865, and All around the moon, first published in 1870. Considering just how long ago Jules Verne wrote these books, it is amazing how many of his 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 their time, these books must have been viewed more as works of science than 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 books are so logical and realistic. And even more, the stories are 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!