The War of the Worlds

'The classic tale of alien invasion, and still the best' The Times

The first modern depiction of extra-terrestrials attacking the earth, The War of the Worlds remains one of the most influential of all science-fiction works. It shows the whole of human civilization under threat, as terrifying, tentacled Martians land in England, build gigantic killing machines, destroy all in their path with black gas and burning rays and feast on the warm blood of trapped, still-living human prey. The forces of the Earth, however, may prove harder to beat than they at first appear.

Edited by Patrick Parrinder with an Introduction by Brian Aldiss and Notes by Andy Sawyer

Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: 05/04/2005
Pages: 240
Weight: 0.43lbs
Size: 7.82h x 5.03w x 0.63d
ISBN: 9780141441030
Age: Young Adult

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 2.9
Point Value: 1
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 24955 / War of the Worlds


Review Citation(s):
Ingram Advance 06/01/2005 pg. 101

About the Author
H.G. Wells was a professional writer and journalist, who published more than a hundred books, including novels, histories, essays and programmes for world regeneration. Wells's prophetic imagination was first displayed in pioneering works of science fiction, but later he became an apostle of socialism, science and progress. His controversial views on sexual equality and the shape of a truly developed nation remain directly relevant to our world today. He was, in Bertrand Russell's words, 'an important liberator of thought and action'.

Brian Aldiss is a famed science fiction writer. Patrick Parrinder has written on H.G. Wells, science fiction, James Joyce and the history of the English novel. Since 1986 he has been Professor of English at the University of Reading.

Andy Sawyer is a Librarian at the University of Liverpool with a particular interest in science fiction. He has annotated four volumes in this series.