Daybreak. James Cowan's charming science fantasy about a group of earthlings carried off to Mars to confront a new Christianity anticipates the later science fiction novels by Christian apologist C.S. Lewis. Originally published in 1896. Includes the original illustrations.
A Voyage to Cacklogallinia. Representative of the type of moon-voyages being published prior to the 19th century: full of sharp satire, high adventure and low humor. The pseudonymous "Samuel Brunt" is taken to the moon by the inhabitants of Cacklogallinia: a race of giant, intelligent chickens. Originally published in 1727.
Mars. Percival Lowell's first book about the planet Mars, originally published in 1895. Here he proposes for the first time his theory that the recently discovered "canals" are in fact artificial constructs..starting a controversy that was not quelled for nearly 75 years and which inspired science fiction writers from H.G. Wells to Ray Bradbury. Contains the original illustrations.
Gulliver of Mars. The novel of high adventure on the Red Planet that inspired Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom series. Originally published in 1905.
A Trip to Venus. One of the earliest books to accurately describe in detail the uses to which rockets might be put in space exploration, it is also an exciting, humorous adventure on another world. Originally published in 1897. Includes the rare short story by Munro, "Daybreak on the Moon".
Across the Zodiac.The 1880 novel that introduced the word "astronaut" to the language tells of a voyage by spaceship to Mars and the discovery there of a dysfunctional scientific utopia.