Living examples of extinct monsters, an underground ocean, and a terrifying journey on the back of an erupting volcano are all part of Jules Verne's most extraordinary epic of science fiction. The author, Jules Verne (1828 - 1905), was born in France and was fascinated with travel from an early age; he even tried to run away to sea when he was twelve. Jules Verne was one of the most popular writers of his time and has sometimes been called the father of the science fiction.