A fascinating science fiction novel exploring political philosophy.

Stanley is a young socialist who is opposed to revolution. He believes that a peaceful community results in a stable government. And as a candidate in the upcoming elections, he is deeply concerned for the safety of the masses.

Hartmann, a notorious anarchist, is believed to have died after his failed attempt to bomb the German Crown Prince. In hiding, Hartmann builds Attila, a flying machine from which he intends to attack European capitals. Hartmann's goal: to overthrow capitalism.

Stanley's intentions seem innocent when he sets out to find the truth behind Hartmann's disappearance. So how is it that Stanley finds himself aboard the warship Attila heading straight for its first target?

This is the first of Edward Douglas Fawcett's science fiction novels. It was most likely a response to the growing anarchist violence in Europe and the developments in aerial navigation in the late nineteenth century. Fawcett continued to write but spent most of his life devoted to mountaineering and philosophy.