Master of the World - Jules Verne

Master of the World (Verne, 1904)

In sort of a precursor to the X-Files, federal policeman John Strock is drawn into unexplained happenings throughout the country. His first adventure, investigating reports of volcanic fires and rumblings on an inaccessible (non-volcanic) mountaintop, quickly gives way to the pursuit of several mysterious vehicles: a car terrorizing the highways at the unheard of speed of 150 miles per hour (so fast you can't see it with the naked eye!), a boat with the same type of speed flashing up and down America's east coast, and then a submarine menacing a mountaintop lake. When the governments of the world publish offers to buy the technology from the inventor, a note comes in to the federal police office, rejecting all offers, signed by "The Master of the World."

The premise here is fairly interesting - a crazy inventor has harnessed unheard of speed and power in all known forms of transportation, rejecting fame and fortune to retain his exclusive power over anyone who might stand in his way. In true Verne fashion, we find out late in the game that this is Robur from The Clipper of the Clouds.  (Nemo made a similar cameo at the end of The Mysterious Island).

However, the story has such strong foreshadowing, there is no real mystery, and it just makes Strock seem ignorant when he is surprised by something the reader has known for awhile.  Also, the banter between Strock and his boss is pretty goofy ("I shall not fail!" "I hope not, the American people are depending on you", etc).  The story hints at more than it delivers - even Robur, once discovered, is mostly silent, and his actions remain unexplained at the end.

There are a couple great scenes, including one involving Niagara falls that, though very heavily foreshadowed, is still exciting. Verne's wonder at technology is less apparent here, though, and the tone is darker throughout.  An interesting read, but not one of Verne's best.

Arbitrary rating: 3 out of 5 inaccessible (non-volcanic) mountaintops