The Time Machine - Softcover

Wells, H. G.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1920265295 ISBN 13: 9781920265298

Publisher: CruGuru, 2008

Synopsis

"The Time Machine", H.G. Wells' classic science fiction story, is generally credited with the popularization of the concept of time travel using a vehicle that allows an operator to travel purposefully and selectively. The Time Traveller, a scientist and inventor, developed a time machine and travels to the year A.D. 802,701 in the future. He finds a peaceful race, the Eloi, who are unimaginative and incurious about the world. Very soon the Time Traveller finds that the Utopian existence of the Eloi turns out to be deceptive when he discovers the downtrodden working classes who have evolved into the bestial Morlocks, cannibal hominids resembling human spiders. The Morlocks toil underground maintaining the machinery that keep the Eloi docile and plentiful. Eventually, the Time Traveller has to battle the Morlocks for possession of his time machine.

About this title

Review

HG Wells virtually defined modern science fiction with the two tales featured in this double volume, a welcome addition to the SF Masterworks series. The Time Machine is the classic tale of a time traveller's journey to the world of 802,701 AD where humanity is divided between the bad and the beautiful, a simplistic vision at first glance but a prophetic take on a future that may not be so far removed from a reality yet to take hold, simply lurking in the shadows and waiting for the human race to bring it about by its own hand.

The War of the Worlds is perhaps one of the greatest science fiction novels ever written, a chilling, brooding tale that has lost none of its power or punch as the soulless alien invaders blast their way across the English countryside, collecting hapless humans for fiendish experiments and scorching the land. Coming at a time of great technological leaps and bounds, it is not surprising that the War of the Worlds makes as much comment on the fragility of the human race and its dependence on technology, as it does the indestructible nature of the human spirit. Though constantly beaten back, the dwindling human armies throw all the might of their warships at the alien machines with little or no effect--in the end, it is the common cold which brings about the downfall of the extra-terrestrial killers. Their motivations are never explained, nor do they need to be, their chilling cries echoing across the deserted, burning countryside of Britain accting as both a chilling war cry and a blood-curdling wake-up call. Surely, one of the most essential science fiction publications you could ever buy. --Jonathan Weir.

Review

"Every time-travel story since "The Time Machine" is fundamentally indebted to Wells." --Robert Silverberg, author, "Legends"

Edition details

• Publisher: CruGuru
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1920265295
• ISBN 13: 9781920265298
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 66