# Alcide Pierdeux — Topsy-Turvy character guide

> Alcide Pierdeux in Topsy-Turvy by Jules Verne.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Engineer Alcide Pierdeux, Pierdeux

**First appearance:** 0001-in-which-the-delegates-from-england-holland-sweden-denmark-and-russia-are-presented-to-the-reader

## Who they are

A French engineer attending the polar auction for the sheer fun of it, whose sharp eye and sharper pen may prove more dangerous than any cannon.

## Relationships

### [President Barbicane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/characters/president_barbicane)

_professional_

Pierdeux serves as a mathematical expert and consultant to Barbicane, providing critical calculations for the project.

### [J. T. Maston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/characters/j_t_maston)

_friendship_

Pierdeux and Maston share a mutual respect and intellectual camaraderie, often discussing mathematical and scientific problems.

### [President Barbicane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/characters/president_barbicane)

_professional_

Pierdeux serves as a mathematical expert and consultant to Barbicane, providing critical calculations for the project.

### [J. T. Maston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/characters/j_t_maston)

_friendship_

Pierdeux and Maston share a mutual respect and intellectual camaraderie, often discussing mathematical and scientific problems.

## In the story

### [In Which Appears the French Gentleman to Whom We Referred at the Beginning of This Truthful Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/chapters/in-which-appears-the-french-gentleman-to-whom-we-referred-at-the-beginning-of-this-truthful-story)

Introduced as a brilliant French engineer and mathematician, a graduate of the polytechnic school, who has come to Baltimore to satisfy his curiosity about the N.P.P.A.'s project. He is described as tall, amiable, and a bachelor, deeply engaged in calculating possible means to shift the Earth's axis.

### [What Was Found in the Notebook of J. T. Maston and What It No Longer Contained](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/chapters/what-was-found-in-the-notebook-of-j-t-maston-and-what-it-no-longer-contained)

His earlier prediction about the recoil effect is confirmed by the notebook's calculations.

### [At the Close of Which J. T. Maston Utters an Epigram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/chapters/at-the-close-of-which-j-t-maston-utters-an-epigram)

The French engineer reflects on the possible consequences of the operation, admires Maston's calculations, and hypothesizes about the catastrophic effects of the shot, including volcanoes and ocean displacement.

### [In Which a Crowd of Dissatisfied People Break Into the Cell of J. T. Maston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/chapters/in-which-a-crowd-of-dissatisfied-people-break-into-the-cell-of-j-t-maston)

Expresses skepticism about the feasibility of Barbicane's cannon.

### [What Had Been Done at Kilimanjaro During Eight Month of This Memorable Year](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/chapters/what-had-been-done-at-kilimanjaro-during-eight-month-of-this-memorable-year)

In Baltimore, he discovers a critical error in Maston's calculations, realizing the cannon will fail.

### [In Which J. T. Maston Regrets That the Crowd Did Not Lynch Him When He Was in Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/chapters/in-which-j-t-maston-regrets-that-the-crowd-did-not-lynch-him-when-he-was-in-prison)

Remains calm and drinks champagne, noting the Earth continues its normal rotation.

### [In Which This Story, as Truthful as It Is Improbable, Is Finished](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/chapters/in-which-this-story-as-truthful-as-it-is-improbable-is-finished)

Publishes the article exposing Maston's error, gains worldwide fame and reputation, and reconciles with his former sweetheart's father.

### [Very Short, Since Enough Has Been Said to Make the World’s Population Feel Perfectly Sure Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/chapters/very-short-since-enough-has-been-said-to-make-the-world-s-population-feel-perfectly-sure-again)

His article is credited with proving the impossibility of the plan.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/characters/alcide_pierdeux
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/topsy_turvy_se/characters