H. G. Wells Books

This book is the one that all stories regarding time travel must measure up to. In it, Wells literally defined the genre and how such plots must be handled. He starts with a brief explanation of how time is but another dimension, the fourth dimension to go along with the three we experience in the physical sense. The story was written in 1895, so it is interesting to read how Wells handled the topic of topic of time travel. It is a plot device that has been well used since he introduced and handled it so well.
The story is not a happy one, the "people" far in the future are not an advanced race, but have degenerated into barbarism and separation. The Morlocks live underground in total darkness and the Eloi living about ground are childlike. It is not a pleasant tale and it also is an early example of stories where the human race does not advance over all time but degenerates into much less than they are now.
This is a story that should be read and reread by anyone with an interest in writing science fiction. A great deal of what has appeared in science fiction tales since 1895 can be traced to this book.

An unnamed time traveler sees the future of man (802,701 A.D.) and then the inevitable future of the world. He tells his tale in detail.

I grew up on the Rod Taylor /George Pal movie. When I started the book I expected it to be slightly different with a tad more complexity as with most book/movie relationships. I was surprised to find the reason for the breakup of species (Morlock and Eloi) was class Vs atomic (in later movie versions it was political). I could live with that but to find that some little pink thing replaced Yvette Mimieux was too munch.

After all the surprises we can look at the story as unique in its time, first published in 1895, yet the message is timeless. The writing and timing could not have been better. And the ending was certainly appropriate for the world that he describes. Possibly if the story were written today the species division would be based on eugenics.

The Time Machine Starring: Rod Taylor, Yvette Mimieux

An unnamed time traveler sees the future of man (802,701 A.D.) and then the inevitable future of the world. He tells his tale in detail.

I grew up on the Rod Taylor /George Pal movie. When I started the book I expected it to be slightly different with a tad more complexity as with most book/movie relationships. I was surprised to find the reason for the breakup of species (Morlock and Eloi) was class Vs atomic (in later movie versions it was political). I could live with that but to find that some little pink thing replaced Yvette Mimieux was too munch.

After al the surprises we can look at the story as unique in its time, first published in 1895, yet the message is timeless. The writing and timing could not have been better. And the ending was certainly appropriate for the world that he describes. Possibly if the story were written today the species division would be based on eugenics.

Part of the Audio CD Classics Collection these CDs are great for family listening on the road or at home! Whether you are presenting them to your children or grandchildren or adding them to your personal library, you will enjoy these tales of adventure, intrigue, and excitement as if hearing them for the first time!

An unnamed time traveler sees the future of man (802,701 A.D.) and then the inevitable future of the world. He tells his tale in detail.

I grew up on the Rod Taylor /George Pal movie. When I started the book I expected it to be slightly different with a tad more complexity as with most book/movie relationships. I was surprised to find the reason for the breakup of species (Morlock and Eloi) was class Vs atomic (in later movie versions it was political). I could live with that but to find that some little pink thing replaced Yvette Mimieux was too munch.

After al the surprises we can look at the story as unique in its time, first published in 1895, yet the message is timeless. The writing and timing could not have been better. And the ending was certainly appropriate for the world that he describes. Possibly if the story were written today the species division would be based on eugenics.

H. G. Wells is generally praised for his science fiction works, yet I consider his story "The Kingdom of the Blind" to be his most imaginative work. The statement of wisdom, "In a community of the blind, the one-eyed man is king" has been repeatedly stated as an indisputable truism. However, as Wells so clearly proves in his "The Kingdom of the Blind" under the right circumstances, the statement is false.
Deep in the mountains of Ecuador, there is a community of people who are all blind. With decades to adapt to their circumstances, they navigate through their environment with little trouble, night or day. A member of an expedition in the mountains is lost and manages to land in the community. To the residents, he is a strange fellow, as he finds it very difficult to make his way in their houses with no windows and after the sun sets. All of his efforts to achieve a position of superiority and explain the concept of eyesight are for naught, for how can you explain sight to people who have no social memory of vision?
The other stories in this collection are the more well-known "The Time Machine", "The Man Who Could Work Miracles" and "The Empire of the Ants." All are excellent stories by a man who really should be given more credit for his skills as a writer of general fiction rather than the more restrictive science fiction genre.

With apologies to Orson Wells, George Pal and Steven Speilberg, the Classics Illustrated version of H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds" was, is, and ever will be the best visual version of this classic book. The artwork by Lou Cameron is simply superb and Harry Miller's written adaptation faithfully captures the book without sacraficing any of the action. Although some may consider the appearnce of the tripods to be a bit dated by today's standards (they resemble Cold War era tank turrets mounted on water tower legs with vacuum cleaner hoses for "arms") they still retain a menacing appearance within the context of the story. The story itself thankfully remains grounded in the late 19th century when Wells wrote it. A pity that Speilberg decided to ruin the story by making it about a dysfunctional 21st century family. The image on the cover of the tripods attacking a World War I era artillery crew is not just classic; it's poetic.

Overrpriced! 6 CD set unabridged, narrated very successfully by Sean Barrett with his lovely English/Irish baritone voice, so very appropriate to this Wells' masterpiece.

A great read. The War of the Worlds is a fantastic classic book, and a must read for any SF buff. HG Wells was a remarkable story teller, and he described the Martians and the soldiers who fought them with great detail. Alvim Correa's illustration are impressive, making this edition well worth the purchase.

It has been very benefical for my son to have had The War of the Worlds from Great Illustrated Classics. The format of the book is excellent. He has enjoyed reading this book and selected it this title for his project when he is done reading it. I'm glad that is was available for him.