Description:
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars The Classic Sci-Fi Story that is as enjoyable today as it was over 100 years ago when it was first published
Most of the time when I return to a book that falls into the "classics" category, I find it necessary to put more effort into the reading of the story than I'm used to. I attribute this to my own natural laziness as well as the fact that most modern novels (not intending any offense to John Grisham, James Patterson, Lee Child, or many many other accomplished current authors) require little heavy lifting on the part of the reader. They also may not endure much beyond our current generations, but who knows? In any event, my point is that H.G. Well's writing is different. His books are as readable and enjoyable today as I expect they were when they were first published (and in the case of War of the Worlds, remarkably, that was 1898).War of the Worlds may be Well's most well-known work today. It has remained in print since its first publication, and for good reason. This is a book that you can pick up and immediately immerse yourself in. It is a compelling read, written in the first person as the narrator - who is not ever identified by name - recounts his experience as flashes on the Martian surface are first detected, followed by "meteor" crashes on the English countryside, which soon disgorge Martian fighting machines that proceed to lay waste to the English countryside, with the English authorities struggling to deal with an attack that was impossible to anticipate.I first read this book along with several of Well's other books many years ago, and it was a pleasure to return to it today and rediscover the story in its original form, because while it is mostly familiar now from the popular film adaptations, there is a purity to the original story that is great to recapture. It is not necessary to employ elaborate special effects on-screen to convey the terror of the martian killing machines - Well's crisp writing brings the story alive in your mind and imagination. As good as modern filmmaking may be, some stories are still better when your own imagination is allowed to develop its own interpretation of the drama and conflict that the author has constructed.Of course, this story has been adapted into movie form at least twice (first in 1953, starring Gene Barry, and most recently in 2005 directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise), but from a historical perspective I think the most notable adaptation was the 1938 CBS radio broadcast that was narrated and directed by Orson Welles. That famous radio show was so convincing - the first two-thirds were delivered as if the story was an actual news bulletin - that many listeners took it to be real, with panic resulting (and later outrage as it was learned that it was in fact a fictional story). If you haven't ever heard that broadcast or portions of it, then it is worth searching out (easily found online, YouTube and elsewhere).The Kindle edition that I have is completely satisfactory and was a pleasure to read (I have the Atria Books version, which is a Simon & Schuster product and omits only the footnotes that are included in their more expensive Kindle edition).A great read and a perfect choice for your beach or vacation relaxation!Some of H.G. Well's other works include:The War of the WorldsThe Time MachineThe Invisible ManThe Island of Dr MoreauThe First Men in the MoonThe Shape of Things to ComeA Modern UtopiaThe War in the AirThe Sleeper AwakesI've linked the Penguin Classics paperback editions of the books above, but each is available in many different editions since they are all now public domain and therefore even available at no cost in various places online (and Kindle editions are frequently available for very low cost as well).Finally, for a quality hardcover edition of Well's three most famous stories, may I suggest investing in The Time Machine, The Invisible Man, The War of the Worlds (Everyman's Library (Cloth)).
4.0 out of 5 stars Good mixed with some bad
"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 and yet as mortal as his own; that as men busied themselves about their various concerns they were scrutinised and studied, perhaps almost as narrowly as a man with a microscope might scrutinise the transient creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water. With infinite complacency men went to and fro over this globe about their little affairs, serene in their assurance of their empire over matter . It is possible that the infusoria under the microscope do the same."PROs:* Classic sci-fi story* In many senses created and popularized the sci-fi genre* Vivid descriptions of Martians and the destruction they wrought* Loved the scientific analysis of the Martians* Real sense of dread instilled in a few momentsCONs:* Extremely implausible story today* Very boring when the book switches to the point of view of the writer's brother* Not much character development* Too little focus on the actual aliens for my taste* Anticlimactic ending* Unnecessary and oddly placed superstition"Yet so vain is man, and so blinded by his vanity, that no writer, up to the very end of the nineteenth century, expressed any idea that intelligent life might have developed there far, or indeed at all, beyond its earthly level. Nor was it generally understood that since Mars is older than our earth, with scarcely a quarter of the superficial area and remoter from the sun, it necessarily follows that it is not only more distant from time's beginning but nearer its end."H.G. Wells's 'The War of the Worlds' is, in my estimation, one of the few 'classics' that stands up to the title. It is certainly not the best sci-fi book ever written, in my opinion not even close to the best, but it's still a highly enjoyable read.The book follows an anonymous, well educated writer recalling a recent, almost extinctive an alien invasion from Mars. (Remember, this was written in the 1800s, so intelligent beings on Mars was not nearly as implausible as it would be today.) The descriptions and images portrayed are real and detailed enough to make you feel like this event actually occurred, and at points, particularly in the beginning, the book is quite suspenseful. This feeling is never so strong as it is in the beginning, where it is said that the Martians have been unsympathetically observing us, and, unfortunately, the book never again reaches this point of wonder and suspense.I found the descriptions and scientific analysis of the Martians to be, by far, the best parts of the book, particularly in two places - The beginning of the book, where the Martian environment is described and how this environment shaped their evolution is the first of these great moments. The second great moment is where the writer is in an advantageous spot where he is able to stealthily observe and analyze the Martian anatomy and physiology.For me, the book suffers immensely when it turns from a sci-fi book into a thriller. In my opinion the descriptions of the fleeing citizens and wreckage of cities was quite boring (particularly when the point of emphasis switches from the original writer to his brother) and, regrettably, these descriptions probably took up over half of the book. It seems like the destruction of England itself was more of a focus than the actual alien invasion. The ending also left me very wanting and somewhat disappointed.Overall, the excitement of the best moments are enough to overcome the dullness of the worst, leaving the book to be an enjoyable one."For that moment I touched an emotion beyond the common range of men, yet one that the poor brutes we dominate know only too well. I felt as a rabbit might feel returning to his burrow and suddenly confronted by the work of a dozen busy navvies digging the foundations of a house. I felt the first inkling of a thing that presently grew quite clear in my mind, that oppressed me for many days, a sense of dethronement, a persuasion that I was no longer a master, but an animal among the animals, under the Martian heel. With us it would be as with them , to lurk and watch, to run and hide; the fear and empire of man had passed away."
5.0 out of 5 stars A Chilling Classic That Still Hits Hard
Reading The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells is like stepping into the birth of modern science fiction. The story kicks off with mysterious flashes on Mars and quickly spirals into a terrifying alien invasion that flips Victorian England upside down. Wells’s writing is vivid and suspenseful, and the way he describes the Martians and their heat-ray weapons still feels intense, even over a century later. What makes it so gripping is how real it feels—like you’re right there, watching humanity scramble in the face of something it can’t understand. It’s not just a sci-fi thriller; it’s also a smart critique of imperialism and human arrogance. Some parts are a bit dated, sure, but the core message and eerie atmosphere totally hold up. A must-read if you love classic sci-fi with brains and heart.
Excellente édition
Pas de critique.
Muy bonito
Ya tenía este libro en español, pero quise leerlo en su idioma original. La portada es preciosa y viene con un listón integrado para separar las páginas. Me gustó mucho.
suspenseful alien invasion story
"An intense and thought-provoking tale of humanity’s struggle against an unstoppable alien force."
tijdloze klassieker
Vele kennen het verhaal de muzikale versie van Jeff Wayne of misschien van de TV serie. maar er gaat niks boven het originele verhaal
Fantastic!
This is the second HG Wells book I've read in two weeks. I have come to him late on life. But better late than never! Wonder writer.
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Visit the Independently published Store
The War of the Worlds
AED8496
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United States
At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.
Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.
While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
Description:
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars The Classic Sci-Fi Story that is as enjoyable today as it was over 100 years ago when it was first published
Most of the time when I return to a book that falls into the "classics" category, I find it necessary to put more effort into the reading of the story than I'm used to. I attribute this to my own natural laziness as well as the fact that most modern novels (not intending any offense to John Grisham, James Patterson, Lee Child, or many many other accomplished current authors) require little heavy lifting on the part of the reader. They also may not endure much beyond our current generations, but who knows? In any event, my point is that H.G. Well's writing is different. His books are as readable and enjoyable today as I expect they were when they were first published (and in the case of War of the Worlds, remarkably, that was 1898).War of the Worlds may be Well's most well-known work today. It has remained in print since its first publication, and for good reason. This is a book that you can pick up and immediately immerse yourself in. It is a compelling read, written in the first person as the narrator - who is not ever identified by name - recounts his experience as flashes on the Martian surface are first detected, followed by "meteor" crashes on the English countryside, which soon disgorge Martian fighting machines that proceed to lay waste to the English countryside, with the English authorities struggling to deal with an attack that was impossible to anticipate.I first read this book along with several of Well's other books many years ago, and it was a pleasure to return to it today and rediscover the story in its original form, because while it is mostly familiar now from the popular film adaptations, there is a purity to the original story that is great to recapture. It is not necessary to employ elaborate special effects on-screen to convey the terror of the martian killing machines - Well's crisp writing brings the story alive in your mind and imagination. As good as modern filmmaking may be, some stories are still better when your own imagination is allowed to develop its own interpretation of the drama and conflict that the author has constructed.Of course, this story has been adapted into movie form at least twice (first in 1953, starring Gene Barry, and most recently in 2005 directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise), but from a historical perspective I think the most notable adaptation was the 1938 CBS radio broadcast that was narrated and directed by Orson Welles. That famous radio show was so convincing - the first two-thirds were delivered as if the story was an actual news bulletin - that many listeners took it to be real, with panic resulting (and later outrage as it was learned that it was in fact a fictional story). If you haven't ever heard that broadcast or portions of it, then it is worth searching out (easily found online, YouTube and elsewhere).The Kindle edition that I have is completely satisfactory and was a pleasure to read (I have the Atria Books version, which is a Simon & Schuster product and omits only the footnotes that are included in their more expensive Kindle edition).A great read and a perfect choice for your beach or vacation relaxation!Some of H.G. Well's other works include:The War of the WorldsThe Time MachineThe Invisible ManThe Island of Dr MoreauThe First Men in the MoonThe Shape of Things to ComeA Modern UtopiaThe War in the AirThe Sleeper AwakesI've linked the Penguin Classics paperback editions of the books above, but each is available in many different editions since they are all now public domain and therefore even available at no cost in various places online (and Kindle editions are frequently available for very low cost as well).Finally, for a quality hardcover edition of Well's three most famous stories, may I suggest investing in The Time Machine, The Invisible Man, The War of the Worlds (Everyman's Library (Cloth)).
4.0 out of 5 stars Good mixed with some bad
"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 and yet as mortal as his own; that as men busied themselves about their various concerns they were scrutinised and studied, perhaps almost as narrowly as a man with a microscope might scrutinise the transient creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water. With infinite complacency men went to and fro over this globe about their little affairs, serene in their assurance of their empire over matter . It is possible that the infusoria under the microscope do the same."PROs:* Classic sci-fi story* In many senses created and popularized the sci-fi genre* Vivid descriptions of Martians and the destruction they wrought* Loved the scientific analysis of the Martians* Real sense of dread instilled in a few momentsCONs:* Extremely implausible story today* Very boring when the book switches to the point of view of the writer's brother* Not much character development* Too little focus on the actual aliens for my taste* Anticlimactic ending* Unnecessary and oddly placed superstition"Yet so vain is man, and so blinded by his vanity, that no writer, up to the very end of the nineteenth century, expressed any idea that intelligent life might have developed there far, or indeed at all, beyond its earthly level. Nor was it generally understood that since Mars is older than our earth, with scarcely a quarter of the superficial area and remoter from the sun, it necessarily follows that it is not only more distant from time's beginning but nearer its end."H.G. Wells's 'The War of the Worlds' is, in my estimation, one of the few 'classics' that stands up to the title. It is certainly not the best sci-fi book ever written, in my opinion not even close to the best, but it's still a highly enjoyable read.The book follows an anonymous, well educated writer recalling a recent, almost extinctive an alien invasion from Mars. (Remember, this was written in the 1800s, so intelligent beings on Mars was not nearly as implausible as it would be today.) The descriptions and images portrayed are real and detailed enough to make you feel like this event actually occurred, and at points, particularly in the beginning, the book is quite suspenseful. This feeling is never so strong as it is in the beginning, where it is said that the Martians have been unsympathetically observing us, and, unfortunately, the book never again reaches this point of wonder and suspense.I found the descriptions and scientific analysis of the Martians to be, by far, the best parts of the book, particularly in two places - The beginning of the book, where the Martian environment is described and how this environment shaped their evolution is the first of these great moments. The second great moment is where the writer is in an advantageous spot where he is able to stealthily observe and analyze the Martian anatomy and physiology.For me, the book suffers immensely when it turns from a sci-fi book into a thriller. In my opinion the descriptions of the fleeing citizens and wreckage of cities was quite boring (particularly when the point of emphasis switches from the original writer to his brother) and, regrettably, these descriptions probably took up over half of the book. It seems like the destruction of England itself was more of a focus than the actual alien invasion. The ending also left me very wanting and somewhat disappointed.Overall, the excitement of the best moments are enough to overcome the dullness of the worst, leaving the book to be an enjoyable one."For that moment I touched an emotion beyond the common range of men, yet one that the poor brutes we dominate know only too well. I felt as a rabbit might feel returning to his burrow and suddenly confronted by the work of a dozen busy navvies digging the foundations of a house. I felt the first inkling of a thing that presently grew quite clear in my mind, that oppressed me for many days, a sense of dethronement, a persuasion that I was no longer a master, but an animal among the animals, under the Martian heel. With us it would be as with them , to lurk and watch, to run and hide; the fear and empire of man had passed away."
5.0 out of 5 stars A Chilling Classic That Still Hits Hard
Reading The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells is like stepping into the birth of modern science fiction. The story kicks off with mysterious flashes on Mars and quickly spirals into a terrifying alien invasion that flips Victorian England upside down. Wells’s writing is vivid and suspenseful, and the way he describes the Martians and their heat-ray weapons still feels intense, even over a century later. What makes it so gripping is how real it feels—like you’re right there, watching humanity scramble in the face of something it can’t understand. It’s not just a sci-fi thriller; it’s also a smart critique of imperialism and human arrogance. Some parts are a bit dated, sure, but the core message and eerie atmosphere totally hold up. A must-read if you love classic sci-fi with brains and heart.
Excellente édition
Pas de critique.
Muy bonito
Ya tenía este libro en español, pero quise leerlo en su idioma original. La portada es preciosa y viene con un listón integrado para separar las páginas. Me gustó mucho.
suspenseful alien invasion story
"An intense and thought-provoking tale of humanity’s struggle against an unstoppable alien force."
tijdloze klassieker
Vele kennen het verhaal de muzikale versie van Jeff Wayne of misschien van de TV serie. maar er gaat niks boven het originele verhaal
Fantastic!
This is the second HG Wells book I've read in two weeks. I have come to him late on life. But better late than never! Wonder writer.
Similar suggestions by Bolo
More from this brand
Similar items from “Adventure”
Share with
Or share with link
https://www.bolo.ae/products/UO09TE5Y7WC