H G Wells

Herbert George Wells was born in 1866 in Bromley, Kent. His career as an author was fostered by an unfortunate accident as a child. He broke his leg and spent the mandatory rest period reading every book which he could find. Wells was awarded a scholarship and furthered his education at the Normal School of Science in London. It was at the Normal School that Wells came under the wing of the famous biologist Thomas H. Huxley. Wells' "science fiction" (although he never called it such)was clearly influenced by his studies at the Normal School and his interest in biology.

H.G. Wells gained fame with his first major fiction work: The Time Machine in 1895. Soon after the publication of this book, Wells followed with The Island of Dr. Moreau (1895), The Invisible Man (1897), and perhaps his most famous popular work: The War of the Worlds (1898).

Over the years Wells became concerned with the fate of human society in a world where technology and scientific study were advancing at a rapid pace. For a period he was a member of The Fabian Society, a group of social philosophers in London. Wells's later works became less science fiction and more social critique.

The accuracy of the "science" in Wells's work has often been called into question. It is rumored that Wells and the French novelist Jules Verne actually criticized each other's writing. Wells's claim was that "Verne couldn't write himself out of a paper sack" and Verne accused Wells of having "scientifically implausible ideas." The science may not be accurate, but the adventure and philosophy in those books makes Wells' early science fiction fun and fascinating to read.

---

Featured Books, with extracts by H G Wells

War of the Worlds (Classics Illustrated)
H G Wells
One of a range of marvellous comic books created in the '50s and '60s, now with artwork re-coloured and covers digitally enhanced for a new generation. Perfectly bound at a terrifically good value price.    “I would certainly recommend any parent hoping...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 14+ readers | 9+ readers | Audio Books
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/09/2008
Info   Extract   Wishlist   Compare Price   Buy

The Time Machine
H G Wells
When a Victorian scientist propels himself into the year 802,701 AD, he is initially delighted to find that suffering has been replaced by beauty, contentment and peace. Entranced at first by the Eloi, an elfin species descended from man, he soon realises that...
Featured in: 14+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 31/03/2005
Info   Extract   Wishlist   Compare Price   Buy