The Transatlantic Threat

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. In the second volume of the series, as France seemed headed for war with England over colonial disputes in Africa, the secret cabal of American billionaires, led by William Boltyn, schemes to stop French scientist Arsene Golbert from completing his plans for a subatlantic railway. Meanwhile, in his secret citadel of science hidden in the Rocky Mountains, mad engineer Hattison has created an invincible army of "iron men," robots that will ensure the billionaires' victory...