A. D. 2000

"A.D. 2000" by Alvarado M. Fuller is a science fiction novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Junius Cobb, a lieutenant who believes he has discovered the means to suspend human life for an extended period, and ultimately, he plans to enter a state of artificial hibernation for one hundred years. The narrative explores themes of ambition, the ethics of scientific experimentation, and the emotional turmoil of human relationships, particularly through Cobb's interactions with his friends and the young woman he loves. The opening of the novel sets a dark and somber atmosphere on a foggy night at the Presidio military post in San Francisco. As Junius Cobb converses with his fellow officers, he reveals his groundbreaking work with ozone and its implications for preserving life. His friends are initially skeptical of his ideas, but Cobb's confidence grows as he presents the contents of a glass coffin containing a cat he claims to have kept alive in suspended animation for a year. This shocking revelation drives the story forward, as it provokes profound questions about the nature of life, death, and the pursuit of knowledge, foreshadowing Cobb's ambitious plan to sleep through a century to realize his dreams.