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Rating: 
Summary: Above and Beyond Humanity!
Review: This 127-page novella presents another scientific genius gone amuck--like Dr. Moreau or Dr. Jekyll. The 19th century placed implicit faith in Science and the reasoning power of the human
brain. Yet by the end of the 1800's France's leading exponent of sci fi literature was beginning to question man's ability to make proper use of the inventions of his fertile mind: to benefit--not harm or enslave--his fellow men. Choosing to make his protagonist an American, JV sets the entire story in the New World--perhaps a tribute to Yankee ingenuity. Yet discerning readers will detect inevitable hints of his Gallic predilection.
John Strock of the not yet so-called FBI is assigned by its director to investigate strange and frightening circumstances at the Great Eyrie--an inaccessible basin (or volcanic crater?) in the remote Blue Ridge Montains of North Carolina. (European readers would be well advised to consult an atlas of the USA, to better follow the various chase scenes.) Inexplicable phenomena are reported in other regions of the alarmed country--both on land and on sea. Some arrogant scientst has invented a four-way transforming vehicle with which he plans to rule the world and even challenge the elements. Can no one prevent this self-proclaimed Master of the World from carrying out his inhumane threats? From Man of the Hour he is quickly relegated to Public Enemy #1, becoming the object and focus of intense federal investigation. Curious, determined and dedicated to the safety of the public, John Strock and associates are ready to pursue him--on, over or under the continent. If the devil did not exist, would man find it necessary to invent him? This story is a shade dark, but reads well enough until the last third of the book, where there is practically no dialogue. Still, an interesting tale, reflecting the author's disillusion with the the world. Captain Nemo carried to extreme.
Rating:
Summary: Above and Beyond Humanity!
Review: This 127-page novella presents another scientific genius gone amuck--like Dr. Moreau or Dr. Jekyll. The 19th century placed implicit faith in Science and the reasoning power of the human
brain. Yet by the end of the 1800's France's leading exponent of sci fi literature was beginning to question man's ability to make proper use of the inventions of his fertile mind: to benefit--not harm or enslave--his fellow men. Choosing to make his protagonist an American, JV sets the entire story in the New World--perhaps a tribute to Yankee ingenuity. Yet discerning readers will detect inevitable hints of his Gallic predilection.
John Strock of the not yet so-called FBI is assigned by its director to investigate strange and frightening circumstances at the Great Eyrie--an inaccessible basin (or volcanic crater?) in the remote Blue Ridge Montains of North Carolina. (European readers would be well advised to consult an atlas of the USA, to better follow the various chase scenes.) Inexplicable phenomena are reported in other regions of the alarmed country--both on land and on sea. Some arrogant scientst has invented a four-way transforming vehicle with which he plans to rule the world and even challenge the elements. Can no one prevent this self-proclaimed Master of the World from carrying out his inhumane threats? From Man of the Hour he is quickly relegated to Public Enemy #1, becoming the object and focus of intense federal investigation. Curious, determined and dedicated to the safety of the public, John Strock and associates are ready to pursue him--on, over or under the continent. If the devil did not exist, would man find it necessary to invent him? This story is a shade dark, but reads well enough until the last third of the book, where there is practically no dialogue. Still, an interesting tale, reflecting the author's disillusion with the the world. Captain Nemo carried to extreme.
Rating: 
Summary: One of Verne's best novels.
Review: This book is nothing like the movie with Vincent Price, which is actually a strange combination of both "Master of the World" and "Clipper of the Clouds". The story mainly follows the adventures of U.S. secret agent John Stark as he tries to solve the strange appearances of a fantasy craft along the eastern American seaboard. Robur doesn't make an appearance until the last quarter of the book, but its an exciting read. The chase across Lake Ontario and Robur's escape over Niagara Falls is one of the most memorable scenes from the book. The Terror definately stands out as one of the best of Verne's incredible machines since the Nautilus.
Rating: 
Summary: Time Has Killed This Book
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: The master does it again!
Review: 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".
Rating:
Summary: The master does it again!
Review: 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".
Rating:
Summary: The master does it again!
Review: 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".
Rating:
Summary: A Challenge to the World from the ultimate ATV
Review: 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.
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