Alternate Realities: A Scifi Book Club discussion

It is almost as if he is satirizing the United States while also being reverent. What do you think?

I understand what you mean, and some sort of satire can be gleaned in the book. However, considering the general low quality of the novel, I am far more inclined that Verne just shoved a bunch of contemporary rumours/stereotypes to fill up space.

Verne does seem to have a mixed attitude toward America, but it's hard to say whether his characterization is satire or stereotype. Especially the character of JT Maston seems to satirize/stereotype Americans. He gets so excited he almost falls off of or into things twice, which is just baffling to me, but whatever. He also has the most ridiculous lines. My favorites: "laugh at an American... but that's a casus belli!" and "is there not an american name to put at the bottom of this discovery? exclaimed JT Maston, animated by a lively sentiment of patriotism"

Well, the thought of invading Mexico just to get a place to build the cannon on might be pretty satirical.

And I'd say that the whole enterprise might be seen as satirical, as the cannon is a huge money sink, there is absolutely no reasonable justification for it whatsoever (unless you count 'ex-military lobbyists are bored' as one), it makes a lot of noise (literal and figurative), but essentially fails, as the projectile doesn't even reach its target.

I agree that it's hard to say whether it was intended by Verne or it's just our modern readings.

At the beginning when he is describing the gun club and they are all missing one limb or another is what brought my attention to it.