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Type of bind: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.912
EAN num: 9781590171585
ISBN number: 1403717168
Label: NYRB Classics
Manufacturer: NYRB Classics
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 250
Printing Date: May 10, 2005
Publishing house: NYRB Classics
Release Date: June 30, 2005
Sale Popularity Level: 104723
Studio: NYRB Classics
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Product Description:
H.G. Wells's spellbinding account of an invasion from outer space is the very first and still the best of all such stories. Ten massive, super-intelligent aliens from Mars touch down in Victorian England and threaten to reduce the civilized world to cinder in short order, as humanity's vaunted knowledge proves to be of little use in such an emergency. First published in 1898, famously dramatized by Orson Welles in an extraordinary 1938 radio presentation that had listeners fearing for their lives, and the subject of a forthcoming movie by Steven Spielberg, The War of the Worlds is a fantasy that is both startlingly up-to-date and in touch with the most ancient of human fears. Here this classic work receives its definitive visual interpretation at the hands of master illustrator Edward Gorey, who offers spectacular front and back cover art and several of his inimitably unsettling line drawings. One colour illustration and 29 black-and-white illustrations are featured.
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Rated by buyers -
"War Of The Worlds" is Wells' indictment of 19th Century Imperialism, as enforced by European technological superiority. Just as low tech societies were stunned & overwhelmed by 19th Century Europeans armed with artillery, warships & mass manufactured tools & weapons, so do the Martians humble the British Empire with Tripods, Heat Rays, & Black Smoke...all beyond Human comprehension or defensive measures.
Edward Gorey's creepy artistic style is perfect, reminding us of just how grotesque the Martians are intended to be.
I collect illustrated editions of "War Of The Worlds", and I highly recommend this nifty little volume. A reprint of an earlier edition.
Rated by buyers -
I think War of the Worlds accurately portrays how humans would react to hostile aliens arriving onto Earth. It paints interesting pictures while using science to back up the story. It is a true science fiction novel. The only downside to the story that I see was that the name of the narrator was never revealed to the audience, referring to himself as "I." It leaves us to question just exactly who he was. I also think that some of the events that happened in the book could have been composed of more detail so that the reader could fully understand what was happening. I admit that sometimes I was lost about what had just occurred, but skimming through the pages before I was caught up.
Other than that minor detail the book was expertly composed of facts and fiction, all strung together by a touch of reality. The story has a good plot, and the conclusion at the end was surprising. I had wondered from the beginning what might kill these seemingly invincible creatures, and to find out that disease killed them, it was entertaining to say at the least. The H.G. Wells's use of language stunned me, as his smooth words made the story seem less boring and more original. The story also shows us how alike we are to the monsters that tried to take over the planet. It shows us that we kill things for hunger and amusement. We take over land which once belonged to the animals and turn it into cities and towns, not taking into account how many of the precious animals' homes we have destroyed.
With the amount of effort that Wells has put into this book, I am interested to read his other science-fiction books, like The Time Machine and The Invisible Man.
Rated by buyers -
It was fun reading the original, after seeing both movies. Lots of details, inner thoughts not possible otherwise. Very thought provoking. Loved the Gory illustrations.
Rated by buyers 
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Ellie Lezak
October 9, 2007
This book was no doubt the best science fiction book I have ever read. H.G. Wells does a amazing job recreating a book that has been done by many authors, into the type of story that has you on the edge of your seat, never wanting to put the book down because you just have to know what comes next. In this book, the main character who stays anonymous by name is a normal simple man, not any really any different from any of the other people in this time, but there is one difference, this man happens to know, how to survive. What to look for and what to stay away from, who to trust and who has to go. And how to rebuild something that was destroyed, so that there was nothing left. One normal night but one twist, what seems to be smoke in space coming from mars? For ten days, at the same time every night, the same smoke appears. And exactly 10 days after he 1st say the smoke a purple light heading right for earth not to far from his house. Days. The day after the asteroid land no one really pays attention to it but it is mainly the noises inside that attract them. Even if they new what the future had in store for them. There would probably be no preventing fate from doing what was going to be done. Battling the fate of everyone around him this man manages to live, and start over again just like everyone else.
In H.G. Wells's writing, he does a amazing job to capture the seen, and make it so the reader can actually imagine what the situation would be like. And put them self's in the moment. There were only 2 things that I did not like about this book. At some points it would just go on, about the same thing, just a list of different things, and than it would happen again. And the only other thing that I didn't like was the ending. I've always thought that the ending of a book should be fun and exiting, and wrap up the whole story. But the ending to this book wasn't the best it explained a few things and than there was one food scene and it ended. But over all I would rate this book 4 stars out of five and I defiantly recommend it for all ages.
Rated by buyers -
First thing I have to say is what great scientific imagination for a book written in the late 1800's. I mean they didnt even have cars yet and Mr. Wells is writing about partical beams and biological warfare. 2nd is I was actually surprised at how much the recent movie used from the book. I didnt care for the movie as much as I did the original version but it was much more faithful to the book than I'd ever imagined. If you your a fan of either of the two movies or just want a very good sci fi book to read I highly recommend this book. The language at times is dated being written at the turn of the century but it's still a quick and easy read.
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