
audiobook
by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
FIRST AND LAST THINGS - A CONFESSION OF FAITH AND RULE OF LIFE
By H.G. Wells
INTRODUCTION.
BOOK THE FIRST. — METAPHYSICS.
1.1. THE NECESSITY FOR METAPHYSICS.
1.2. THE RESUMPTION OF METAPHYSICAL ENQUIRY.
1.3. THE WORLD OF FACT.
1.4. SCEPTICISM OF THE INSTRUMENT.
1.5. THE CLASSIFICATORY ASSUMPTION.
1.6. EMPTY TERMS.
In this intimate essay, a thoughtful early‑twentieth‑century mind turns a private conversation into a public confession. What began as a series of informal meetings, where friends each tried to articulate their own creeds, has been expanded into a single, candid exploration of belief, doubt, and the rules by which we try to live.
The author approaches the big questions—metaphysics, religion, morality—not as a trained philosopher but as an earnest amateur, openly acknowledging his limitations. He weaves personal anecdotes with occasional references to the great thinkers, showing how everyday experience forces him to shape his own creed rather than adopt others’. The tone is conversational yet probing, inviting listeners to reflect on their own assumptions while witnessing a genuine, unvarnished self‑examination.
Throughout the work, the writer balances humility with curiosity, offering a roadmap for anyone wrestling with the foundations of their own worldview. Listeners will find both comfort and challenge in his honest search for meaning.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (317K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Rebecca Trump, Sue Asscher, and David Widger
Release date
2003-07-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1866–1946
A pioneer of modern science fiction, this English writer imagined time travel, alien invasion, and invisible men with a mix of adventure and sharp social insight. His stories still feel lively because they pair big ideas with very human fears and hopes.
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