Five Weeks in a Balloon was Jules Verne’s first published novel – he had adapted it from a work of non-fiction at the suggestion of his editor, Jules Hetzel. The novel was published in 1863, before successful balloon-air flight was accomplished. The story is pure adventure and typically Verne. It is not without its drawbacks – it is unpolished compared to some of Verne’s later works and the racism is difficult for today’s readers to accept. As a first adventure story, it was a testament as to what was to come from Verne – proving his publisher Hetzel had backed a winner. This annotated edition includes a biography and critical essay.

Some critics claim that Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, published in 1870, is Jules Verne’s masterpiece. The novel is narrated by Professor Pierre Aronnax of the Paris Museum of Natural History. It is set in the year 1866 (Verne was already working on the manuscript at that time) and the world of the sea is in the news with the supposed sightings of a sea monster that is much too large and fast to be a whale. When a boat is damaged, apparently by the sea monster, Aronnax, while on a researching assignment in New York is asked by the United States government to help track down the monster. Aronnax (illustrations of Aronnax in the original edition look very much like Verne) takes his loyal Belgian valet (Conseil) with him – both Aronnax and Conseil are men of science – cool, rational, and possessing encyclopaedic knowledge of the sea. Ned Land serves as their foil – a passionate and foolhardy harpooner from Canada. This annotated edition includes a biography and critical essay.

"First Mate Shandon receives a mysterious letter asking him to construct a reinforced steamship in Liverpool. As he heads out for Melville Bay and the Arctic labyrinth, a crewman reveals himself to be John Hatteras, and his lifelong obsession, the Pole. Despite experiencing appalling cold and hunger, the captain treks across the frozen wastes in search of fuel. Abandoned by his crew, Hatteras remains without resources at the coldest spot on earth. How can he find food and explore the Polar Sea? And what will he find at the top of the world?"--Back cover.

Includes Part 1, Number 2: Books and Pamphlets, Including Serials and Contributions to Periodicals July - December)