Customer Reviews

Master of the World (Science Fiction Collection)

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Verne's "Master of the World" is usually published with its prequel "Robur, the Conquerer" as part 1 of the book. In "Robur, the Conquerer" we meet the engineer Robur who has built the great aeronef "Albatross" which he proposes to use to destroy all fighting ships and machines in the world, thus ending once and for all the scourge of war. He kidnaps Mr. Prudent, a weapons maker from Philadelphia, his son-in-law and principle antagonist in their mutual desire to build the ultimate ballon, and Mr. Brock, an American agent, who accompany him on his tour of the world but who ultimately bring about his downfall. In "Master of the World", Robur returns at the helm of the amazing all-terrain vehicle, the "Terror", once again preparing to try to end war and assuming upon himself the title of "Master of the World". The Terror can zoom at great speeds across land or water, submerge like a submarine, or soar into the air on a pair of retractable rotors. This effort, too, comes to naught, but as we progress we see more of the genius and pain of Robur.

Verne has done it again! Once again Robur takes to the skies in a new ship the "Terror". Except this time his conquest of the elements covers them all. Water(both above and below the waves),Land(racing across the land at 100s of miles an hour), and the skies(soaring with the agility of the birds). Mr. Stock, a goverment ageant investigating a strange occurence in the mountains, is accidently pulled aboard the Terror and sees the true genius and maddness of Robur. In the end the very elements Robur sought to conquer destroy him. Showing that only nature can stop the "Master of the World".

This book might have been exciting back in the day it was written, but given the context of our modern world, it's a complete bore. Written in a dry, matter-of-fact style that kills all the excitement & adventure, the wonder & mystery is ruined by modern technology as well as by the style of writing. The idea of a car, boat & plane is nothing to the modern imagination, but must have been a big deal back when the book was written. Maybe it was a great book a hundred or so years ago, but now it's just a snooze-fest.