Other editions of book A Modern Utopia

In his preface to this book, Wells forecast (incorrectly) that A Modern Utopia would be the last of a series of volumes on social problems that began in 1901 with Anticipations and included Mankind in the Making (1903). But unlike those non-fictional works, A Modern Utopia is presented as a tale told by a sketchily described character known only as the Owner of the Voice. In the book, two travelers fall into a space-warp and suddenly find themselves upon a Utopian Earth controlled by a single World Government.

There are works, and this is one of them, that are best begun with a portrait of the author. And here, indeed, because of a very natural misunderstanding this is the only course to take. Throughout these papers sounds a note, a distinctive and personal note, a note that tends at times towards stridency; and all that is not, as these words are, in Italics, is in one Voice. Now, this Voice, and this is the peculiarity of the matter, is not to be taken as the Voice of the ostensible author who fathers these pages. You have to clear your mind of any preconceptions in that respect. The Owner of the Voice you must figure to yourself as a whitish plump man, a little under the middle size and age, with such blue eyes as many Irishmen have, and agile in his movements and with a slight tonsorial baldness, a penny might cover it, of the crown. His front is convex. He droops at times like most of us, but for the greater part he bears himself as valiantly as a sparrow. Occasionally his hand flies out with a fluttering gesture of illustration. And his Voice (which is our medium henceforth) is an unattractive tenor that becomes at times aggressive. Him you must imagine as sitting at a table reading a manuscript about Utopias, a manuscript he holds in two hands that are just a little fat at the wrist. The curtain rises upon him so.

A Modern Utopia is a dystopian philosophical fiction in which Wells' presents a utopian plan for "a flexible common compromise, in which a perpetually novel succession of individualities may converge most effectually upon a comprehensive onward development." Wells' makes this distinction from past philosophies of utopia in that its people aim to be Utopian however they are in actuality the same people whom exist in an ordinary society.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.

A Modern Utopia has been called "not so much a modern as a postmodern utopia", due to its complex and sophisticated narrative structure. It is a novel that deals with the notion of utopia and a voluntary order of nobility, known as the "Samurai". Who lead a "kinetic and not static" world state, in order to deal with the issue of progress, as well as political and civilisational stability.

Complete and unabridged paperback edition.A Modern Utopia is a 1905 novel by H. G. Wells. Because of the complexity and sophistication of its narrative structure A Modern Utopia has been called "not so much a modern as a postmodern utopia." The novel is best known for its notion that a voluntary order of nobility known as the Samurai could effectively rule a "kinetic and not static" world state so as to solve "the problem of combining progress with political stability." Description from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

CONTENTSThe Owner of the VoiceChapter the First--TopographicalChapter the Second--Concerning FreedomsChapter the Third--Utopian EconomicsChapter the Fourth--The Voice of NatureChapter the Fifth--Failure in a Modern UtopiaChapter the Sixth--Women in a Modern UtopiaChapter the Seventh--A Few Utopian ImpressionsChapter the Eighth--My Utopian SelfChapter the Ninth--The SamuraiChapter the Tenth--Race in UtopiaChapter the Eleventh--The Bubble BurstsAppendix--Scepticism of the Instrument

While traveling in the Swiss Alps, a pair of Englishmen who are in the midst of a discussion about the possible types of Utopias find themselves suddenly transported into a parallel world — a planet seemingly identical to Earth, yet radically different, as they will learn. This Utopia exists as a single allied state, with a common language and perfect equality, under the rule of a voluntary order of nobility known as the Samurai. The travelers are mightily impressed by this harmonious society, but what will the Utopians think of their guests?Better known for his formative works in science fiction, H. G. Wells also took a lively interest in politics and society. In this 1905 novel, the visionary author blends philosophical discussion with an imaginative narrative that offers a persuasive and ever-valid argument for his socialist ideals. This new edition of A Modern Utopia is enhanced with a series of atmospheric engravings from the original publication.