Bored with inactivity following the end of the Civil War, the fanatical members of the American Gun Club in Baltimore look for a project to fulfil their passion for firearms. Their distinguished President, Impey Barbicane, proposes an exciting new endeavour—one that will cement their names in history: they will build the largest projectile ever known to man and shoot it at the moon! The bullet will be hollowed to accommodate Barbicane and two bold companions, along with their dog, and they will claim the moon as America’s 37th state. From the Earth to the Moon describes the sometimes hilarious and always surprising events leading up to the launch of the projectile, while Around the Moon follows the three intrepid astronauts on their dangerous journey into outer space.