Anno Domini 2000

Anno Domini 2000 Or, Woman's Destiny (1889) is a novel by Sir Julius Vogel. Written by the former prime minister of New Zealand, the novel sold poorly upon publication. In recent years, however, the novel has been recognized as a groundbreaking work of science fiction that uncannily predicted many of the social developments that would define New Zealand's contribution to human civilization in the twentieth century, notably its status as the first nation to grant women the right to vote. "The barriers which man in his own interest set to the occupation of woman having, once been broken down, the progress of woman in all pursuits requiring judgment and intellect has been continuous, and the sum of that progress is enormous." In the year 2000, the British Empire is an Imperial Federation apart from an independent Ireland. Having granted women the right to vote, British society has enjoyed a revolution in gender roles from the top down. Hilda Fitzherbert, the young and charismatic Prime Minister of New Zealand, is a shining example of the new woman of the twenty-first century. When her burgeoning romance with Emperor Albert threatens diplomatic relations with the United States, the peaceful world order faces the threat of war.