From the Earth to the Moon; and, Round the Moon

Jules Verne’s From the Earth to the Moon and its sequel Round the Moon follow an ambitious journey to space long before real-world space travel was possible. The story begins with the Baltimore Gun Club, a group of American artillery enthusiasts who devise a plan to launch a projectile to the Moon using an enormous cannon. Led by President Impey Barbicane, along with his rival Captain Nicholl and adventurous Frenchman Michel Ardan, they construct the massive Columbiad cannon in Florida. In Round the Moon, Barbicane, Nicholl, and Ardan embark on their voyage inside the projectile. They experience weightlessness, breathtaking views of space, and a close lunar flyby before gravity pulls them back toward Earth. After a tense reentry, they safely splash down in the Pacific Ocean. These novels, filled with scientific speculation, humor, and adventure, showcase Verne’s visionary imagination and remain a cornerstone of early science fiction literature.