The War of the Worlds

By H.G. Wells

Book Overview

First published in 1898, The War of the Worlds was, and remains, one of H.G. Wells's finest works. Forty years later, a radio broadcast from Wells's tale fooled thousands into thinking the East Coast had fallen victim to Martian attack. When a small cylinder crashes just outside London, onlookers are not prepared for what is about to be unleashed. Shortly after the onslaught begins, Earth fights back but is quickly brushed aside as the Martians destroy everything in their path. Soon London is evacuated and the hope mankind survives disappears. ..".at the turn of the century and the mentalities of society back then, no one had entertained the idea of an extraterrestrial invasion before. Period." - Nicholas Grabowsky, from his introduction

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679810471
• ISBN13: 9780679810476
• Release Date: August 1991
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.2" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 6 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 4

Customer Reviews

"...this world was being watched keenly and closely..."

We are in 1898 England. Yep, we see something happening on the surface of Mars. Later, what looks like a meteor comes to Earth. Once we realize the significance of the situation (or think we do), different people approach the situation in different ways. The true story is how different people meet the situation. Many people want to equate this story with real potential invasions of others as the bad guys vs. the good guys. However, from the very first, we see that they are the greater (more evolved) intelligence, and we are the equivalent of vermin or ants that are being held under the magnifying glass. From our point of view, they seem like cruel creatures, and from theirs, indifference. Their way of consuming nourishment is appalling, yet look at what and how we eat. The writing itself is of the time in which Wells lived, so the descriptions of our world may seem a little alien to today’s younger readers. However, the suspense is still there, and the story will hold their attention. Do not miss the 1953 movie. Even though it adds more religious overtones, it is still pretty much the same story with similar characters. Of course, this one names the narrator and adds a love interest.