From The Earth To The Moon

Question

In the book, From The Earth To The Moon, what makes Barbican and McNicholl dislike each other so much and what are 2 examples of antagonism in the story involving McNicholl and Barbican?

Answer 1

I agree with the first answer.  This question isn't going to get a very good response in the "Astronomy and Space" category.

Answer 2

McNicholl and Barbican are old enemies from the Civil War (McNicholl sympathized with the British and the South, Barbican was a Northerner).

McNicholl was a designer of anti-projectiles protection (in direct conflict with projectile weapons) and stated that a moon "cannon" was absurd.  He makes a series of bets with Barbicane, each of them of increasing amount over the impossibility of such feat (those wagers are the source of pride on both sides).

Answer 3

You are in the wroooong category, my friend. There's no category for literature?