This provocative new study contends that Jules Verne was indeed more than just a writer of science fiction or harmless fantasies for children. Placing him squarely within the center of a strong literary tradition, Martin convincingly shows that a recurrent narrative, describing the strange destiny of a masked prophet who revolts against an empire, runs throughout Verne's Voyages extraordinaires. This theme, Martin argues, illuminates the paradoxes of realism and invention, repression and transgression, and imperialism and anarchy. Verne emerges not only as a key to the political and literary...

Alekhine s Defence is a sharp and often underrated counter to 1 e4. Black immediately challenges the white e-pawn and tries to lure White into constructing a big central position. Black s hope is that White s central installations will become unweildy and vulnerable to a middlegame counter-attack. However, Alekhine enthusiasts must always be careful - get it wrong and White will come crashing through Whether you want to play the Alekhine, or want to know what to do against it as White, this book will be an essential addition to your armoury. * Up-to-date coverage of a dynamic...