H. G. Wells' "The First Horseman" is a short story first published in "The Idler" in July, 1897 as part of "A Story Of The Stone Age." An intriguing page-turner, this short story is highly recommended for all lovers of the form and is not to be missed by fans and collectors of Wells' seminal work. Herbert George Wells (1866 - 1946) was a prolific English writer who wrote in a variety of genres, including the novel, politics, history, and social commentary. Today, he is perhaps best remembered for his contributions to the science fiction genre thanks to such novels as "The Time Machine"...

First published in 1895, "Select Conversations with an Uncle" constitutes Wells' first literary publication in the form of a book. It comprises accounts of twelve fictional conversations with a witty uncle who has recently come back from South Africa, returning with some degree of affluence. It also contains two other conversations on aestheticism and physiognomy entitled "A Misunderstood Artist" and "The Man with a Nose" respectively. Contents include: "Of Conversation And The Anatomy Of Fashion," "The Theory Of The Perpetual Discomfort Of Humanity," "The Use Of Ideals," "The Art Of Being...

After Wells published "An Outline of History," which was among the first comprehensive histories based on a scientific viewpoint, the Roman Catholic writer Hilaire Belloc fought back with a series of essays condemning the book, especially for omitting God and for his acceptance of evolution theory. "Mr. Belloc Objects to 'The Outline of History'" constitutes Wells' own literary retort, and is both entertaining and impressive. Contents include: "Mr. Belloc's Arts of Controversy," "The Theory of Natural Selection Stated," "Mr. Belloc as a Specimen Critic of Natural Selection," "Mr. Belloc's...

"Mankind in the Making" is a sequel to H. G. Wells' "Anticipations" (1901). Within it, he analyses the 'making' of man, exploring the circumstances and processes that change children into citizens of the modern world. He aggressively attacks a range of contemporary institutions and presents a new doctrine termed "New Republicanism," which analyses things by their effect on the development and evolution of mankind. Contents include: "The New Republic," "The Problem Of The Birth Supply," "Certain Wholesale Aspects Of Man-making," "The Beginnings Of The Mind And Language," "The Man-making Forces...

This is H. G. Wells' 1940 novel, "Babes in the Darkling Wood - A Novel of Ideas." Stella has the world at her feet - good looks, brains, and a place at Cambridge University. Together with her admirer Gemini, she becomes interested in the work and mind of a psycho-therapist with exciting new ideas. However, when tragedy encroaches on their lives they soon come to realise that intellectualism brings little comfort or solace. "Babes in the Darkling Wood" is a powerful tale of fluctuating fortunes that presents an interesting dialogue of contemporary developments in psychoanalytical theory. This...

"Certain Personal Matters" is a collection of humorous and witty essays written by H. G. Wells. The essays span a variety of different topics but can perhaps most accurately be considered as a humorous and cynical look at the customs of his day. Highly recommended for fans and collectors of Well's seminal work. Contents include: "Of Conversation," "In A Literary Household," "On Schooling And The Phases Of Mr. Sandsome," "The Poet And The Emporium," "The Language Of Flowers," "The Literary Regimen," "House-hunting As An Outdoor Amusement," "Of Blades And Bladery," "Of Cleverness," "The Pose...

"A Modern Utopia" is a novel by H. G. Wells, first published in 1905. The Owner of the Voice and the botanist are two seemingly extraterrestrial beings who are transported to earth, appearing one day on the slopes of the Piz Lucendro in the Swiss Alps. Their experiences in the Utopia that they find themselves in is chronicled over eleven chapters, with our twin protagonists slowly discovering how Utopia is organised. However, when they find that they have both have doubles in Utopia, the walls between reality and fantasy begin to crumble. "A Modern Utopia" is a thought-provoking and...