The Dominion of the World 1: The Plutocratic Plot
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by Gustave Le Rouge & Gustave Guitton
adapted by Brian Stableford
cover by Gilles Francescano
The Dominion of the World (1900) represents a transition from classic Vernian anticipation to the pulp serials of the 1920s and 1930s. It is also the only science fiction work that sought to dramatize the "Transatlantic Peril", positing a fundamental difference of culture and attitude between the United States and Europe. Despite some of its outlandishness, hindsight has lent the world imagined by Gustave Guitton and Gustave Le Rouge (The Vampires of Mars) a certain prophetic quality.
VOL. 1: THE PLUTOCRATIC PLOT
It is necessary, for the success of our project, not only that we should be the stronger, but also that our superiority should be absolutely incontestable, and our power so formidable that no one would even dare to think of engaging in conflict with us!
A secret cabal of American billionaires, led by William Boltyn, would like nothing more than to crush Europe, or at least subject it to harsh economic domination, and eventually become masters of the world. To that end, they scheme to use a deadly array of highly advanced weapons invented by Engineer Hattison and an army of psychics under the command of the sinister Harry Madge. Their grand plan, however, is opposed by the heroic endeavors of a handful of Frenchmen...
Contents: La Conspiration des Milliardaires [The Billionaires' Conspiracy] (1899)
Introduction and notes by Brian Stableford