The Country of the Blind, and Other Stories


Book Description

Welcome to the thought-provoking realm of H. G. Wells' *The Country of the Blind, and Other Stories*, where imagination meets incisive social commentary and the boundaries of reality blur with fantasy. As you embark on this literary journey, prepare to be captivated by the visionary narratives that have defined the genre of science fiction. Delve into the titular story, *The Country of the Blind*, where a sighted man finds himself in a secluded valley inhabited by the blind. Explore the profound themes of perception, adaptation, and the often arbitrary nature of normalcy as Wells challenges our understanding of reality. Witness how this tale weaves the threads of human experience into a tapestry that invites reflection on the essence of humanity. Wells’ masterful storytelling traverses a range of captivating themes, including societal evolution, the interplay of science and morality, and the consequences of technological advancement. Through rich character development and vivid imagery, he presents a compelling critique of contemporary society that resonates with readers across generations. The overall tone of the collection is both contemplative and speculative, skillfully balancing the eerie with the enlightening. Wells’ pioneering approach has garnered critical acclaim, establishing him as a titan of science fiction whose insights remain relevant today. This collection appeals to a broad audience, from ardent science fiction fans to casual readers intrigued by moral dilemmas and the human condition. Wells' ability to intertwine fantastical elements with relatable human emotions ensures that each story leaves an indelible mark. As you immerse yourself in *The Country of the Blind, and Other Stories*, you'll discover not just engaging tales, but a profound exploration of our world and the choices we face. Wells’ unique perspective and narrative style make this collection an essential addition to the library of any literature enthusiast. In conclusion, *The Country of the Blind, and Other Stories* is more than just a collection of tales; it is a thought-provoking examination of the human experience that continues to resonate with readers today. Whether you're revisiting Wells' genius or experiencing it for the first time, prepare to be challenged and inspired by the depth and breadth of his imagination. Don't miss your chance to explore the fascinating world of H. G. Wells. Let *The Country of the Blind, and Other Stories* transport you to a landscape of thought-provoking narratives and timeless themes. Grab your copy now and join the ranks of readers captivated by Wells’ enduring literary brilliance.




H. G. Wells


Book Description

Includes the first serialized version of The Time Machine, short stories from Wells' student days at South Kensington, and essays from the 1890's that speculate on the future




The Food of the Gods


Book Description

Published in 1904, this forgotten classic is sci-fi and dystopia at its best, written by the creator and master of the genre Following extensive research in the field of "growth," Mr. Bensington and Professor Redwood light upon a new mysterious element, a food that causes greatly accelerated development. Initially christening their discovery "The Food of the Gods," the two scientists are overwhelmed by the possible ramifications of their creation. Needing room for experiments, Mr. Besington chooses a farm that offers him the chance to test on chickens, which duly grow monstrous, six or seven times their usual size. With the farmer, Mr. Skinner, failing to contain the spread of the Food, chaos soon reigns as reports come in of local encounters with monstrous wasps, earwigs, and rats. The chickens escape, leaving carnage in their wake. The Skinners and Redwoods have both been feeding their children the compound illicitly—their eventual offspring will constitute a new age of giants. Public opinion rapidly turns against the scientists and society rebels against the world's new flora and fauna. Daily life has changed shockingly and now politicians are involved, trying to stamp out the Food of the Gods and the giant race. Comic and at times surprisingly touching and tragic, Wells' story is a cautionary tale warning against the rampant advances of science but also of the dangers of greed, political infighting, and shameless vote-seeking.




The War of the Worlds: Large Print


Book Description

"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..." So begins H. G. Wells' classic novel in which Martian lifeforms take over planet Earth. As the Martians emerge, they construct giant killing machines - armed with heatrays - that are impervious to attack. Advancing upon London they destroy everything in their path. Everything, except the few humans they collect in metal traps. Victorian England is a place in which the steam engine is state-of-the-art technology and powered flight is just a dream. Mankind is helpless against the killing machines from Mars, and soon the survivors are left living in a new stone age. Includes the original Warwick Goble illustrations.




A Modern Utopia


Book Description

A Modern Utopia - H. G. Wells - A Modern Utopia is a dystopian book by H. G. Wells. In his preface, Wells says that A Modern Utopia would be the last of a series of volumes on social problems. This book is a tale of two travelers who fall into a space-warp and suddenly find themselves upon a Utopian Earth controlled by a single World Government. It is told to us by a sketchily described character known only as the Owner of the Voice. Herbert George Wells (21 September 1866 – 13 August 1946) was an English writer. Prolific in many genres, he wrote dozens of novels, short stories, and works of social commentary, history, satire, biography and autobiography. His work also included two books on recreational war games. Wells is now best remembered for his science fiction novels and is sometimes called the "father of science fiction. During his own lifetime, however, he was most prominent as a forward-looking, even prophetic social critic who devoted his literary talents to the development of a progressive vision on a global scale. A futurist, he wrote a number of utopian works and foresaw the advent of aircraft, tanks, space travel, nuclear weapons, satellite television and something resembling the World Wide Web. His science fiction imagined time travel, alien invasion, invisibility, and biological engineering. Brian Aldiss referred to Wells as the "Shakespeare of science fiction", while American writer Charles Fort referred to him as a "wild talent". Wells rendered his works convincing by instilling commonplace detail alongside a single extraordinary assumption per work – dubbed "Wells's law" – leading Joseph Conrad to hail him in 1898 as "O Realist of the Fantastic!". His most notable science fiction works include The Time Machine (1895), which was his first novel, The Island of Doctor Moreau (1896), The Invisible Man (1897), The War of the Worlds (1898) and the military science fiction The War in the Air (1907). Wells was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature four times.




The H. G. Wells Collection


Book Description

Collected together here are seven of the most iconic novels of H. G. Wells, the father of science fiction himself. With each story, he presents a unique and exciting twist. In The Invisible Man, a scientist's experimentation with visibility goes disastrously wrong. The Time Machine features a traveller recounting his adventures into the future, and The Island of Doctor Moreau explores the terrifying boundaries of human and animal morality. Other stories included are The War of the Worlds, The First Men in the Moon, When the Sleeper Wakes and The World Set Free. This array of thrilling stories ranges from scenes of alien invasions to visions of dystopian futures.




The Holy Terror


Book Description

When Cook's newborn baby entered the world, he had nothing but hope for its future. However, it was immediately clear that this was no ordinary child-it's murderous screams seemed a dark portent. As it grew, things only got worse, and the child's mother began to despair. The new parents hoped their child would grow out of it, but soon came to realise that its inauspicious beginnings were only a sign of things to come. Herbert George Wells (1866 - 1946) was a prolific English writer who wrote in a variety of genres, including the novel, politics, history, and social commentary. Today, he is perhaps best remembered for his contributions to the science fiction genre thanks to such novels as "The Time Machine" (1895), "The Invisible Man" (1897), and "The War of the Worlds" (1898). "The Father of Science Fiction" was also a staunch socialist, and his later works are increasingly political and didactic. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this book now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author.




H.G. Wells on Film


Book Description

One of the most influential thinkers of his era, H.G. Wells is primarily known for his science fiction writings that looked ahead in time to teach and warn. These novels and stories inspired many filmmakers to bring his visions (if often greatly altered or misfocused) to life on screen. He himself wrote screenplays and closely supervised the production of some of his work. This book is a study of every theatrically released film from 1909 to 1997 that is based, even loosely, on the writings of H.G. Wells, including The Time Machine, The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Invisible Man, The War of the Worlds, The First Men in the Moon, The Food of the Gods and The Empire of the Ants, to name a few. For each film, the author discusses the circumstances surrounding its creation, its plot, how it compares with the literary work, its production and marketing, and its strengths and weaknesses based on aesthetic qualities.




Men Like Gods


Book Description