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The war of the worlds Kindle Edition

4.4 out of 5 stars 16,326 ratings

The War of the Worlds is a science fiction novel by English author H. G. Wells first serialised in 1897 in the UK by Pearson's Magazine and in the US by Cosmopolitan magazine. The novel's first appearance in hardcover was in 1898 from publisher William Heinemann of London. Written between 1895 and 1897, it is one of the earliest stories that detail a conflict between mankind and an extraterrestrial race. The novel is the first-person narrative of both an unnamed protagonist in Surrey and of his younger brother in London as southern England is invaded by Martians. The novel is one of the most commented-on works in the science fiction canon.

Product description

From the Inside Flap

'Death!' I shouted. 'Death is coming! Death!'

In this pioneering, shocking and nightmarish tale, naïve suburban Londoners investigate a strange cylinder from space, but are instantly incinerated by an all-destroying heat-ray. Soon, gigantic killing machines that chase and feed on human prey are threatening the whole of humanity. A pioneering work of alien invasion fiction, The War of the World's journalistic style contrasts disturbingly with its horrifying visions of the human race under siege.

The Penguin English Library - 100 editions of the best fiction in English, from the eighteenth century and the very first novels to the beginning of the First World War.

From the Back Cover

'Death!' I shouted. 'Death is coming! Death!'

In this pioneering, shocking and nightmarish tale, naïve suburban Londoners investigate a strange cylinder from space, but are instantly incinerated by an all-destroying heat-ray. Soon, gigantic killing machines that chase and feed on human prey are threatening the whole of humanity. A pioneering work of alien invasion fiction, The War of the World's journalistic style contrasts disturbingly with its horrifying visions of the human race under siege.

The Penguin English Library - 100 editions of the best fiction in English, from the eighteenth century and the very first novels to the beginning of the First World War.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01MRSLM7U
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ anna ruggieri
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 1 Dec. 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.0 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 119 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8822873026
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 16,326 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
16,326 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this science fiction novel to be a compelling read with descriptive language that draws readers in, and one customer notes it's particularly forward-looking for its time. Moreover, the book receives praise for its phenomenal imagination, thought-provoking content, and good value as a free download. Customers appreciate its pacing, with one mentioning it can be read in one sitting. However, the dated content receives mixed reviews, with customers noting the science is outdated.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

679 customers mention ‘Readability’662 positive17 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a true classic with a brilliant story, and one customer notes that Chapter 8 in Book Two is especially amazing.

"...It also goes beyond the premise with a sense of progression and set of distinct yet flowing changes, a strong element of his writing, performed only..." Read more

"Good read almost a classic. I found it extra interesting as I grew up in the area but not an necessity to enjoy the book.." Read more

"...A classic tale that sparked a new genre. Science fiction...." Read more

"...And I was pleasantly surprised by how much of a great read this was...." Read more

231 customers mention ‘Writing quality’166 positive65 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book, noting that the descriptive language draws readers in and makes it easy to read.

"...Given the familiar settings, the limited background description is understandable and reasonable. The pacing is very good with action well-spread...." Read more

"...Although it is set in 1890's Britain it is so well written and the underlying themes so relevant today it is as fresh and exciting as when written...." Read more

"...to occur, the motor car was at its earliest infancy, the bicycle crude and elementary...." Read more

"...The book is written in the first person perspective focusing on a civilian's experiences during a martian invasion from their initial launch to..." Read more

211 customers mention ‘Sci-fi content’198 positive13 negative

Customers appreciate the sci-fi content of the book, describing it as a fascinating and superb science fiction tale, with one customer noting how forward-looking it is for a Victorian/Edwardian science fiction book.

"...The pacing is very good with action well-spread...." Read more

"Good read almost a classic. I found it extra interesting as I grew up in the area but not an necessity to enjoy the book.." Read more

"...It is an unnerving read even today. Wells is adept at conveying fear, uncertainty, mystery and has an eloquence modern writers can only marvel at -..." Read more

"...it is set in 1890's Britain it is so well written and the underlying themes so relevant today it is as fresh and exciting as when written...." Read more

74 customers mention ‘Imagination’74 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's imagination, noting how it draws readers into its chapters and is very clever, with one customer describing it as a thrilling glimpse into a visionary mind.

"...The book carries well into our times. The alien designs are unique: their like from the book has barely been explored since it was released,..." Read more

"...Wells is adept at conveying fear, uncertainty, mystery and has an eloquence modern writers can only marvel at - and benefit - from...." Read more

"...Considering this was written in 1898 I was taken aback by the author’s imagination and the suspense and tension in this book was incredible...." Read more

"...Another thing I love about this author is his incredible imagination creating unique ideas for stories well ahead of their time...." Read more

38 customers mention ‘Value for money’38 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a good value, with many noting it's available for free and consider it one of the best free books available.

"...settings, the limited background description is understandable and reasonable. The pacing is very good with action well-spread...." Read more

"...point,the price from Amazon Kindle can not be beaten,worth every penny for the enjoyment this book brings. Read and enjoy." Read more

"...Look the book is free, its the classic alien story, realised long before hollywood and its a damn good yarn...." Read more

"...It is great to see Amazon offering these classic free to download and I am now tempted to buy a Kindle of some description as lugging a laptop..." Read more

26 customers mention ‘Pacing’22 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the pacing of the book, finding it easy to read in one sitting, with one customer noting it moves at a cracking pace.

"...The pacing is very good with action well-spread...." Read more

"...You can read this story in one sitting. This is perfect for me because I find it hard to read from the same book for hours on end...." Read more

"...The story more than stands the test of time, it flows with economy and brilliant insight...." Read more

"...The pace of the story is good and you could write easily read the whole thing in quick smart time...." Read more

21 customers mention ‘Illuminating’21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book stunning, with one noting how the Victorian setting brings the landscape to life, while another appreciates the late Victorian setting's intrigue.

"...Both share remarkable similarities in their overarching theme, and both epitomise what is termed the 'fin de siècle' (or 'end of the century')..." Read more

"...Still relevant and illuminating despite its age." Read more

"...The late Victorian setting is intriguing too." Read more

"...Upon delivery I loved the cover design and was very excited to read this book, but how disappointed was I when I opened the book and pages began..." Read more

32 customers mention ‘Dated content’18 positive14 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's dated content, noting that the science and language are outdated, though one customer appreciates it as an incredible window into its time period.

"...so well written and the underlying themes so relevant today it is as fresh and exciting as when written...." Read more

"...As groundbreaking as it may have been in its time, the novel has dated, as you might - and indeed should - expect...." Read more

"...and the first chapter, I was instantly captivated and swept back to that time and place where I would be at the narrators side for his whole,..." Read more

"...tends to be a bit long-winded in the descriptive passages, and the archaic (for modern readers) use of language at times can be a bit of a task...." Read more

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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 February 2013
    Wells had the hindsight for a concise writing style, ahead of many other authors of the time and a concise story. While the premise is simple, it is very well drawn out with fascinating descriptive writing of the central elements of the story. It also goes beyond the premise with a sense of progression and set of distinct yet flowing changes, a strong element of his writing, performed only better in Island of Dr Moreau. Given the familiar settings, the limited background description is understandable and reasonable. The pacing is very good with action well-spread. The one part that caps my praise is about 60% into the story: while the slowness may reflect the scene's context, it's too stark a contrast compared to all before and could have been eased in better if not reduced.

    His studying background in politics, society and so fourth become apparent with the articulate and well-written 'accounts' of himself (the book written in first person with no given name) and of observations. A criticism meanwhile is the limited character depth or development. While the book is relatively short, there is little apparent depth to most prominent persons. Perhaps this is not suited to the book, however.

    The book carries well into our times. The alien designs are unique: their like from the book has barely been explored since it was released, allowing it to keep a fresh perspective today. The ending circumstances are perhaps widely understood today however can still provide a good surprise when story turns like it have barely been seen since. The writing is also easy for one to read even with the rare archaic word as one can guess the intent by the sentence.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 April 2025
    Good read almost a classic. I found it extra interesting as I grew up in the area but not an necessity to enjoy the book..
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 January 2024
    To read HG Wells War of the Worlds in 2024, from the point of view of the technological advances since it was written in 1898, reveals one overriding thought.
    When Well's classic science fiction novel was written, manned flight was yet to occur, the motor car was at its earliest infancy, the bicycle crude and elementary.
    How utterly terrifying must it have been to read of an invasion by minds and beings immeasurably superior to ours. With callous intent to overrun our planet and lay waste to civilisation.
    It is an unnerving read even today. Wells is adept at conveying fear, uncertainty, mystery and has an eloquence modern writers can only marvel at - and benefit - from.
    A classic tale that sparked a new genre. Science fiction. HG Wells was a visionary and it is testament to his powers as a writer that War of the Worlds still has an enduring hold on its readers.
    Who hasn't stared into space, wondering whether we are alone and if it were possible for alien life forms to visit us?
    No one would have believed...
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 October 2024
    I’ve seen all the film and series adaptations but I never actually read the original book until now. And I was pleasantly surprised by how much of a great read this was. Considering this was written in 1898 I was taken aback by the author’s imagination and the suspense and tension in this book was incredible. I have come to realise that none of the movies made this far has done this book justice.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 March 2025
    It's interesting to see all the choices made in this as while it's probably not the first alien invasion story it feels like it was the first to codify the tropes of the sci-fi sub genre.

    It's essentially a road trip novel, our unnamed hero has a series of encounters with Martians, other survivors and his brother. It all flows along well enough and I'm suprised at how the narrator isn't this a typical hero in fact he takes a couple of unheroic borderline cowardly choices.

    Book 2 is where it gets a bit samey and un interesting for me especially since you know the ending it's all a bit passive, the narrator hanging back, avoiding everything and in essence staying out of things. Consistent with his character, yes, interesting to read? Not particularly

    Its interesting to read and makes enough choices that make it worth a look it's just the second half loses its rhythm.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 January 2021
    What I love about HG Wells’s books is the fast paced drama and action and this book is no exception.

    Scientists notice strange flares of red gas coming from Mars and heading directly towards Earth. An object falls from the sky making a huge pit in an area near the narrator’s house. He discovers that the object is not a meteorite, as first thought, but a strange cylinder with noises coming from the inside, which he later discovers are Martians.

    At first people carry on as normal because the Martians, though aggressive, appear to be unable to escape the pit. That is until more objects fall from the sky and the narrator describes 2 tripods reaching high up above the houses moving towards him.

    HG Wells’s books are very ‘ sciencey’, that’s the only thing that put me off but the action more then compensates. Of course, there are those that love detailed scientific narrative, in which case they will love this and other HG Wells books. Another thing I love about this author is his incredible imagination creating unique ideas for stories well ahead of their time.

    You can read this story in one sitting. This is perfect for me because I find it hard to read from the same book for hours on end. I usually have several on the go and swap them about.

    What did I learn? That you should try to read the original book before you watch the film adaptions because they can be surprisingly different. Oh and to be wary of any falling objects from the sky.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 January 2025
    I’ve seen several versions of the film but I’ve never read the book. It was a good book for the time it was written. Many aspects have been kept similar in the films so I like that about it. If you want a good old book to read then this was great

Top reviews from other countries

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  • RobinEM
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, no wonder it’s still entertaining readers
    Reviewed in Australia on 17 July 2019
    Movies and musicals have been inspired by this classic. I read mine in Kindle and was happy to be able to look up some words that where common at that time of writing, but not so much anymore. What an imagination, to use the germs as the thing that saves humanity. After all our egos and weapons were no match. His insights and his story telling where ahead of their time. Worth the time to sit down and read, forget the movies...but you can listen to the soundtrack...that rocks too.
  • Abbans
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellente édition
    Reviewed in France on 19 April 2024
    Pas de critique.
    Report
  • Stephanie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Content (5 Stars) vs Container (0 Stars)
    Reviewed in Spain on 18 March 2013
    I'm not going to write a review on this classic - put simply i loved the book and would have loved it even more if the map had been located at the beginning of the book as I had real trouble sometimes keeping up with going "north, south, southwest, etc" and only discoverd the map upon finishing the book.
    I'd like to say a few words though about the physical conditions off this edition (penguin classics, paperpack): They are as bad as they can get. After getting half through the book, the first pages started to break apart. Upon finishing the only thing that was left was a stack of loose pages. I would think that penguin for a "CLASSIC EDITION" would apply a more serious production standard. One that would AT LEAST allow for the book being read one time before falling apart.
    I'm very disappointed by the quality of this edition and would recommend everyone to restrain from buying it and look for another one.
  • Arturo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Muy bonito
    Reviewed in Mexico on 18 June 2024
    Ya tenía este libro en español, pero quise leerlo en su idioma original. La portada es preciosa y viene con un listón integrado para separar las páginas. Me gustó mucho.
  • ewomack
    5.0 out of 5 stars Still has the power to freak people out...
    Reviewed in the United States on 26 December 2010
    "The War of the Worlds" must have seriously freaked people out in 1898. Imagine squeamish readers buckling at any unusual celestial event; the skies seemed impenetrable then. A falling star? No! It must be Martians! Augh! Run! The story retains a certain spine-tingling creepiness even today via historical imagination or present day extrapolation. It will evoke, for some, the I'd-better-look-over-my-shoulder-every-few-minutes syndrome. And though its quaint science may inspire derisive snorts today, then little was known about "the Red Planet," especially whether it supported life. Add to that, the scientific theories of the day posited a Mars that, much like Earth, would cycle through geological and biological phases that culminated in life. So, to the general reader of the time, the notion of "life on Mars" remained not only a distinct possibility, but an almost certain inevitability. Plus, the people of late 19th century England had no early warning system for astronomical events. So when, early in the book, the first Martian "cylinder" plunges into the earth outside of London, only those nearby really know it happened. To top it off, news then traveled at the speed of print and human speech, the equivalent of frustratingly viscous molasses today. So, strange as it seems to our instantaneously informed modern world, news of the Martian invasion doesn't reach into London for some time. And when it does, many don't take it seriously as they see no direct threat. That changes fast as Martian death machines and black smoke smother everything in their path. Appreciating the book's true horror today involves conceiving our immediate solar system as an utter mystery. A sort of historical empathy. Sure, observations were made and scientists had rudimentary knowledge in the late 19th century, but no one really knew anything substantial about our neighboring planets. As such, "The War of The Worlds," though obviously fiction, and serialized as such, probably didn't ring hollow for many readers of its time. With this perspective H.G. Wells' incredible storytelling powers begin to appear. They remain on full display throughout this page turner (or, for those using e-readers, this "button pusher"). The story's implications and subtexts also seem to provide a model for science fiction up to our strange present where science, morality and self-referential anthropology mingle.

    The story may or may not seem familiar to today's readers, depending upon which versions of the story one has come across. Orson Wells' famous, or infamous, 1938 radio adaptation, set in America, still resonates the power of mass media through rebroadcasts. And various film versions have appeared in the interim (some more memorable than others). But Wells' original story takes place in England through the perspective and words of a man of letters, or a "philosophical writer." The Martian invasion begins near his town of Woking. He subsequently witnesses the instant death of the "heat-ray" and the Martian tripod war machines. The indistinctness of his descriptions make these invaders and their weapons radiate with the horror of the unknown. Many passages genuinely read in the manner of a man delineating technology 100 years ahead of his own time. This heightens the helplessness of humanity, who flee all human-like in abject terror and chaos from the ensuing carnage, ignorant of the very nature of the powers they face (told mostly through the narrator's brother). The Martians proceed with brutality. Their "rays" and poison gas "tubes" reduce entire cities to piles of burnt corpses and edifices. If Wells' intentions involved reducing humanity to a helpless blabbering mass, he succeeded. Once the Martians have dominated, regardless of a few small human victories, humanity faces the prospect of living in a "lowly animal state." The character of the artilleryman manifests this idea, though he eventually shows his true colors. The character of the curate, who the narrator finds himself holed up with for days, paints a less than charitable picture of the religious response to the invasion. The man basically goes crazy after witnessing what the Martian's do with human prisoners. Whether God fails him, or whether he merely perceives that God has failed him, or that humans have ultimately failed God, remains a subject for speculation and discussion. In any case, things seem absolutely hopeless for humanity until the end. And, to keep from giving anything away, the ending implies something about humanity's relationship with the planet it inhabits. As the invasive, and very destructive, Martian "red weed" smothers the countryside, humans themselves don't ultimately prevail. But certain "partners," both friend and enemy, come to the inadvertent rescue. In a sense, nature saves the day. No human weaponry of the time musters the firepower to bring down the invading army. "War of the Worlds" thus paints a picture not of human power, but of human impotency in the face of superior technology. In the end, humans don't play the role of triumphant heroes.

    So what does this imply? That technology gets us only so far? That our sometimes arrogant perceptions of our power and might simply dissolve in the face of even more superior might? Maybe. At the very least it gives readers an idea of the potential limits of human power. Maybe horrors we could never prepare for, despite our advances, exist "out there?" Essentially, "War of the Worlds" presents a very humbling view of humanity, not a glorified one. It also presents a great fictional example of Nassim Taleb's "Black Swan." A Martian invasion, or any extraterrestrial invasion of superior power, would carry extreme consequences for humanity, but we may never see it coming. In modern terms, what if an alien force infiltrated us underneath our radars despite our perceived technological level? What we don't know might hurt us. Uncertainty usually wins the day. We may not know the extent of our own vulnerabilities.

    "War of the Worlds" stands as a justifiably hailed classic of literature and science fiction. Though in the end, despite the supermarket label, it's simply a great story. Potential interpretations at philosophical, social and technological levels provide enough mind food for weeks of munching. Plus, it provides a stunning read filled with horror, suspense and human drama. And though it's definitely not 1898 anymore, "War of the Worlds" may still hold enough power to freak people out.

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