Other editions of book A Modern Utopia

A Modern Utopia (1905) is a work of fiction by H. G. Wells. H. G. Wells's proposal for social reform was the formation of a world state, a concept that increasingly occupied him throughout the remainder of his life. One of his earliest and most ambitious attempts at portraying a world state was A Modern Utopia (1905) (McLean). Like most utopians, he indicated a series of modifications which in his opinion would increase the aggregate of human happiness. Basically, Wells' idea of a perfect world would be if everyone were able to live a happy life. This book is written with an intimate knowledge of former ideal commonwealths and is a conscious attempt to describe a utopia that is not utopian. June Deery refers to A Modern Utopia as a work in progress for two obvious reasons: 1.It is about social and technological advance, and 2.Wells stresses that he is describing a dynamic utopia. This means that this modern society requires and allows further improvement. The work was partly inspired by a trip to the Alps Wells made with his friend Graham Wallis, a prominent member of the Fabian Society. A Modern Utopia was intended as a hybrid between fiction and 'philosophical discussion'. Other notable books by H.G. Wells include The War of the Worlds, The Time Machine, The Island of Doctor Moreau, The Invisible Man, and When the Sleeper Wakes.

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.

*ILLUSTRATED EDITIONWells’ uncanny ability to highlight the problems which are now most acute and supply tentative solutions that allow a maximum of individual freedom merits serious consideration. A Modern Utopia is one of the first important blueprints for the modern welfare state and an early major statement of Wells’ idea of the World State, an idea that is perhaps his greatest contribution to the intellectual history of this century. In this quintessential utopia Wells sums up and clarifies the utopia’s of the past, and brings them into contact with the world of the present.

Although best known for his scientific romances that paved the way for the modern science fiction genre, H. G. Wells (1866-1946) produced significant works on politics, society, science and history. Thanks in part to his teacher, T. H. Huxley, Wells became quite interested in the works of well known scientists like Charles Darwin, and admired their ability to imagine and think beyond their times. When writing his 1905 novel, "A Modern Utopia", Wells drew upon Darwinism to trace humanity's evolution and create something like a world state on a distant planet that is identical to Earth. This novel, which blends fiction and philosophy, presents a socialistic Utopian society, in which the whole world shares a common language, capital punishment has been abolished, there is gender equality, and every individual shares the plan for "comprehensive onward development". While acknowledging that a modern Utopia is essentially impossible, Wells comes close to such a world in this fascinating and eerily prophetic novel.

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[2] so as to solve "the problem of combining progress with political stability". In his preface Wells forecasts (incorrectly) that A Modern Utopia would be the last of a series of volumes on social problems that he began in 1901 with Anticipations and that included Mankind in the Making (1903). 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, who, Wells warns the reader, "is not to be taken as the Voice of the ostensible author who fathers these pages".[4] He is accompanied by another character known as "the botanist". Interspersed into the narrative are discursive remarks on various matters, creating what Wells calls in his preface "a sort of shot-silk texture between philosophical discussion on the one hand and imaginative narrative on the other.".[5] In addition, there are frequent comparisons to and discussions of previous utopian works.

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."

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 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.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface.We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

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[2] so as to solve "the problem of combining progress with political stability". In his preface Wells forecasts (incorrectly) that A Modern Utopia would be the last of a series of volumes on social problems that he began in 1901 with Anticipations and that included Mankind in the Making (1903). 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, who, Wells warns the reader, "is not to be taken as the Voice of the ostensible author who fathers these pages".[4] He is accompanied by another character known as "the botanist". Interspersed into the narrative are discursive remarks on various matters, creating what Wells calls in his preface "a sort of shot-silk texture between philosophical discussion on the one hand and imaginative narrative on the other.".[5] In addition, there are frequent comparisons to and discussions of previous utopian works.

The unabridged classic on MP3 audio, narrated by Anais 9000. Three playback speeds on one disk; etext edition included. Running time: 14.3 hours (slow), 13.0 hours (medium), 11.9 hours (fast). Wells tries to write of a scientific utopia in the tradition of Bacon's New Atlantis, and further explored in his own science fiction; but a strange thing happens when one of the standard "stranger in a strange land" characters insists on narrating his own romance!