‘Facing the Flag’ is one of the stories that cemented Verne’s reputation as one of the pioneers of science-fiction. It centres around a brilliant scientist, Thomas Roch, who has invented the ultimate weapon, known as ‘The Fulgurator.’ However, when his creation is refused by every government on Earth, Roch’s sanity begins to crumble. Interning him to a mental health facility ought to be the end of the tale. However, Verne throws in some twists and turns, a liberal sprinkling of pirates, and an underground lair that wouldn’t look out of place in a James Bond film. A prescient book, many of Verne’s predictions, in terms of technology and moral scruples, have come to pass.

Jules Verne (1828-1905) was a French novelist who became known as the ‘Father of Science Fiction.’ He wrote more than 60 novels, including ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ (1864), ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’ (1870) which was also released as a film, starring James Mason, and ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’ (1873), which has been released as a TV drama, featuring former Dr Who star, David Tennant.