
A Journey to Other Worlds (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Space Adventure NovelBy John Jacob AstorLength11h 36m
About this audiobook
A Journey to Other Worlds is a striking late-nineteenth-century work of speculative fiction, imagining a technologically advanced twenty-first century in which human ingenuity has transformed Earth and opened the planets to exploration. Blending adventure, scientific conjecture, and utopian social vision, the novel belongs to the era of Jules Verne and early American science fiction, yet bears the distinctive optimism of the Gilded Age: progress, engineering, and capitalism appear as engines of cosmic expansion. John Jacob Astor, heir to one of America's great fortunes, was not merely a financier but an inventor, amateur scientist, and man fascinated by technological possibility. His social position gave him confidence in systems of wealth and enterprise, while his mechanical interests encouraged bold speculation about electricity, space travel, planetary environments, and future civilization. The book reflects both his privilege and his sincere curiosity about modern science. Readers interested in the prehistory of science fiction will find this novel especially rewarding. Though its assumptions now seem dated, its imaginative reach, historical significance, and revealing portrait of technological optimism make it a valuable work for students of literature, futurism, and American cultural history.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreScience Fiction
Length11 hrs 36 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateAug 19, 2018
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1The Blazing World (Annotated)
26Chapter X. Changing Landscapes
2Introduction
27Chapter XI. A Jovian Niagara
3Synopsis
28Chapter XII. Hills and Valleys
4Historical Context
29Chapter XIII. North-Polar Discoveries
5Author Biography
30Chapter XIV. The Scene Shifts
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6Preface
31Book III.
7Book I.
32Chapter I. Saturn
8Chapter I. Jupiter
33Chapter II. The Spirit's First Visit
9Chapter II. Antecedental
34Chapter III. Doubts and Philosophy
10Chapter III. President Bearwarden's Speech
35Chapter IV. A Providential Intervention
11Chapter IV. Prof. Cortlandt's Historical Sketch of the World in A. D. 2000
36Chapter V. Ayrault's Vision
12Chapter V. Dr. Cortlandt's History Continued
37Chapter VI. A Great Void and a Great Longing
13Chapter VI. Far-Reaching Plans
38Chapter VII. The Spirit's Second Visit
14Chapter VII. Hard at Work
39Chapter VIII. Cassandra and Cosmology
15Chapter VIII. Good-Bye
40Chapter IX. Doctor Cortlandt Sees His Grave
16Book II.
41Chapter X. Ayrault
17Chapter I. The Last of the Earth
42Chapter XI. Dreamland to Shadowland
18Chapter II. Space and Mars
43Chapter XII. Sheol
19Chapter III. Heavenly Bodies
44Chapter XIII. The Priest's Sermon
20Chapter IV. Preparing to Alight
45Chapter XIV. Hic Ille Jacet
21Chapter V. Exploration and Excitement
46Chapter XV. Mother Earth
22Chapter VI. Mastodon and Will-O'-The Wisps
47Analysis
23Chapter VII. An Unseen Hunter
48Reflection
24Chapter VIII. Sportsmen's Reveries
49Memorable Quotes
25Chapter IX. The Honey of Death