Other editions of book The War of the Worlds

Mankind finds itself in a fight for its very survival when invaders from Mars land on Earth. Using their vastly superior technology the Martians make short order of all the great powers of Earth, laying waste to everything in their path. The novel follows an unnamed man as he flees for his life while trying to locate his wife in the shattered ruins of Earth. Powerful and insightful.

With novels like The Time Machine, The Invisible Man and The Island of Dr. Moreau, H. G. Wells became famous as a prophet, predicting tanks, aerial bombing, nuclear war, gas warfare, lasers and industrial robots. The War of The Worlds was the first novel to explore the possibilities of intelligent life from other planets, and is still startlingly vivid, having lost none of its impact since it’s publication in 1898. It was the source of Orson Welles’ 1938 radio broadcast, so realistic it caused a panic, as well as two film versions. The story begins with the arrival of the Martians just outside London and ends with the near-annihilation of humanity. This recording features Maxwell Caulfield, who was educated at St.Paul’s School in London and then came to New York at the age of eighteen to start his theatrical career. He performed on and off-Broadway with luminaries Geraldine Page and Jessica Tandy. Married to actress Juliet Mills, he now resides and principally works in Los Angeles.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

The War of the Worlds, by H. G. Wells - Akasha Classics, AkashaPublishing.Com - When an army of intelligent aliens from Mars touches down in Victorian England and threatens to destroy the civilized world, humanity's knowledge proves to be of little use. First published in 1898, H.G. Wells's masterpiece of speculative fiction has thrilled and delighted generations of readers, spawned countless imitations, and inspired movies by such masters as Orson Welles and Steven Spielberg. The War of the Worlds is a fantasy that is both startlingly up-to-date and in touch with the most ancient of human fear. In the story things progress from a series of seemingly mundane reports about odd atmospheric disturbances taking place on Mars, to the arrival of Martians just outside of London. At first the Martians seem harmless and hardly able to move in Earth's comparatively heavy gravity. But soon the Martians reveal their true nature and begin laying waste to the surrounding land. The story quickly moves from the countryside to the evacuation of London itself and the loss of all hope as England's military suffers defeat after defeat.

Though highly debated as to whether War of the Worlds is a true dystopian novel, several scholars agree that this classic science fiction novel by Wells makes the cut for the genre based upon its presentation of a worst-case scenario for a less than idyllic society. In the story Wells draws upon a common fear of that modern-day society. It was known at the time as the fin de siècle or the 'end of the age' that anticipated an apocalypse at that the dawn of the new century. In fact in 1938 Orson Welles caused a nationwide panic with his broadcast of “War of the Worlds” - a realistic radio dramatization of Well’s Martian invasion of Earth.Dystopian Classic Editions publishes works of dystopian and utopian literature that have survived through the generations and been recognized as classics. A dystopian society is an imagined society in which the people are oppressed, however the government propagandizes the society as being a utopia or a perfect society. Typical themes in dystopian literature include public mistrust, police states, and overall unpleasantness for the citizens. Authors of dystopian works strive to present a worst-case scenario and negative depiction of the way things are in the story so as to make a criticism about a current situation in society and to call for a change. Each Dystopian Classic Edition selected for publication presents such a story.

Amazon.com Review: This is the granddaddy of all alien invasion stories, first published by H.G. Wells in 1898. The novel begins ominously, as the lone voice of a narrator tells readers that "No one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man's..." Things then progress from a series of seemingly mundane reports about odd atmospheric disturbances taking place on Mars to the arrival of Martians just outside of London. At first the Martians seem laughable, hardly able to move in Earth's comparatively heavy gravity even enough to raise themselves out of the pit created when their spaceship landed. But soon the Martians reveal their true nature as death machines 100-feet tall rise up from the pit and begin laying waste to the surrounding land. Wells quickly moves the story from the countryside to the evacuation of London itself and the loss of all hope as England's military suffers defeat after defeat. With horror his narrator describes how the Martians suck the blood from living humans for sustenance, and how it's clear that man is not being conquered so much a corralled. --Craig E. Engler

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

'They came in cylinders as dreaded falling stars; they were the ultimate killing machines. . . When a Martian spacecraft crash-lands near Woking, mankind is terrorized by aliens in tall, armored capsules that stalk the countryside on three legs. The frightening machines wreak havoc on London and the Southern Counties with their heat-rays, and survivors are driven underground. Yet it all began in the calm of an observatory. . . While scanning the heavens, scientist John Nicholson sees a shower of meteorites heading towards Earth. But what he is witnessing is, in fact, the beginnings of an invasion. Soon, dense black smoke wipes out vast numbers of the population and Nicholson tells how he was plunged into a paralyzing nightmare of stark terror and utter destruction. Martin Jarvis, Peter Sallis, and Anthony Jackson also feature in this thrilling six-part, full-cast dramatization of H.G. Well's classic novel—an immensely atmospheric recording based on one of the most influential stories ever told. This CD release also includes a detailed sleeve note recounting the making of the radio adaptations, written by Andrew Pixley.3 CDs. 2 hrs 40 mins.

A metallic cylinder falls to earth, landing in the sands of Horsell Common, Surrey, generating curiosity and awe. But what’s inside soon induces only terror. The story that unfolds is a breathless first-person account of an inconceivable reality: an extraterrestrial war has been waged on the planet. In a twist on cautionary turn-of-the-century invasion literature, H. G. Wells posits the Martian attack as an insurmountable apocalyptic event. The first of its kind and a foundational work, The War of the Worlds inspired a radio broadcast, television shows, graphic novels, and countless films; roused the imagination and stirred anxieties; and changed the landscape of science fiction for generations.AmazonClassics brings you timeless works from the masters of storytelling. Ideal for anyone who wants to read a great work for the first time or rediscover an old favorite, these new editions open the door to literature’s most unforgettable characters and beloved worlds.Revised edition: Previously published as The War of the Worlds, this edition of The War of the Worlds (AmazonClassics Edition) includes editorial revisions.

“No one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man’s and yet as mortal as his own.…”So begins The War of the Worlds, the novel that made Wells famous and has enthralled and terrified readers and listeners for almost 100 years. Ten huge and tireless creatures land in England and, using their deadly rays and crushing strength, threaten the very existence of humankind. Wells' classic is not just groundbreaking science fiction, it is a shocking social parable about man’s inhumanity to man.This novel is part of Brilliance Audio's extensive Classic Collection, bringing you timeless masterpieces that you and your family are sure to love.