
The War of the Worlds - by H. G. Wells
Contents
BOOK ONE THE COMING OF THE MARTIANS
I. THE EVE OF THE WAR.
II. THE FALLING STAR.
III. ON HORSELL COMMON.
IV. THE CYLINDER OPENS.
V. THE HEAT-RAY.
VI. THE HEAT-RAY IN THE CHOBHAM ROAD.
VII. HOW I REACHED HOME.
In this classic tale the ordinary world of late‑Victorian England is quietly observed by an alien intelligence far beyond human imagination. The narrator, a thoughtful but unassuming observer, introduces a planet whose dwindling resources have driven its inhabitants to view Earth as a tempting new home. The story unfolds with a blend of scientific speculation and unsettling wonder, inviting listeners to contemplate humanity’s place in a much larger cosmos.
When a strange fireball streaks across the sky, the tranquil countryside is shattered by the emergence of terrifying machines that unleash a heat‑ray unlike anything seen before. As panic spreads from quiet villages to bustling London, the narrator’s personal journey becomes a lens for the broader scramble of people trying to survive an incomprehensible threat. The narrative balances suspense with keen social commentary, making the early stages of the invasion both thrilling and thought‑provoking.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (336K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Oct 1, 2004
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1866–1946
A master of imaginative fiction, this English writer helped shape modern science fiction while also writing sharp social commentary and sweeping works of history. His stories still feel lively today because they mix bold ideas with very human fears, hopes, and curiosities.
View all books
by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells