A classic in the science fiction genre, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea was authored by Jules Verne and was first published in 1870. Summary Of The Book The narrator of the story is a French professor and marine biologist named Pierre Aronnax. He is commissioned by the the United States government to embark upon an expedition, in which the mission is to destroy an alleged sea monster that is wreaking havoc in the Pacific Ocean. Aboard a Navy warship named Abraham Lincoln, the expedition team ventures out into the ocean and after an arduous search, they encounter the sea monster. In the throes of attack, the ships rudder gets damaged and Aronnax, along with two other members, is thrown across the ship onto the beast. However, they soon realise that it isn't a beast they are fighting, it is a submarine, boasting of technology far ahead of its time, named Nautilus. The trio are captured and are led to meet the Commander and creator of Nautilus, Captain Nemo. Captain Nemo informs them that Nautilus is independent of any land-based government and was built in top secrecy. This creation was borne from a mixture of scientific curiosity and was fuelled by the want to seek revenge against civilization. He also tells them that due to its highly secretive nature, none of them would be allowed the disembark. The story progresses hereon with several episodes and adventures as they travel to exotic places, witnessing the spectacular corals of the Red Sea, the ice shelves in Antarctica, the wrecked remains of the Vigo Bay battle, and also includes details on how they plant a black flag at the South Pole. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea was first translated into English in 1873, and has been adapted into several films, plays and graphic novels. About Jules Verne Jules Verne, born in 1828, was a French poet, author, playwright and novelist, best known for his contributions to the literary science fiction genre. He has authored novels like From the Earth to the Moon, Around the World in Eighty Days, A Floating City, The Mysterious Island, The Archipelago on Fire, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Facing the Flag, Master of the World, and Invasion of the Sea. Born in the town of Nantes, Verne relocated to the Paris in 1848, in the midst of the French Revolution. He was introduced to literary salons by his uncle there, which influenced him so much that he began avidly writing plays alongside his law degree. Eventually, his literary career launched in 1863, rendering him as one of the most highly acclaimed authors of his time. Verne married Honorine de Viane Morel and they had a child together named Michel Jean Verne. He often shares the popularly bestowed title with author H. G. Wells and Hugo Gernsback, the Father of Science Fiction.