The World Set Free
by
H.G. Wells
H. G. Wells wrote contemporary novels, social commentaries, history and is best known for science fiction. Before nuclear weapons were developed Wells imagined an atomic bomb, which was accurate. Wells looks at the role of energy and technology in man's development. Wells concludes that man must either retreat to an agricultural society or use science as the basis for a ne...more
Paperback, 176 pages
Published
February 18th 2008
by Book Jungle
(first published 1914)
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
sign in »
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
341)
Like nearly everyone who has already reviewed this book, I found Wells’s prescience astonishing! Admittedly, this was my first H.G. Wells book and I expected the prose to be stronger. Nonetheless, one cannot help but suspect that all the prophetic aspects of the work (atomic energy and atomic weapons) were simply the frame wrapped around the driving force of his social commentary (calling for a World Government). Concerning this World Government, which could be bothersome for some readers, ...more
A scientist discovers artificial radioactivity in 1933 and by 1953 this new form of energy has revolutionized both transportation and industry -- and in 1956 the world is devastated by an atomic war. H.G. Wells delivers this picture of the future in his tale written in 1913. While the fifty-three years after he wrote the book saw much destruction from conventional war, his vision of unlocking the atom proved uncanny.
This early classic of Science Fiction uses realistic descriptions of t...more
This early classic of Science Fiction uses realistic descriptions of t...more
One of Wells lesser known works this is worth the read for those who enjoy the socio-political commentary of one of the worlds great writers. It's in the public domain for those who are interested...good stuff!
Remarkable sci-fi by H.G. Wells written in 1914 in which he imagines what will happen when the world obtains nuclear energy. Biplanes dropping A-bombs, for example.
Well, what can you say about a book, published in 1913, which predicted the atomic bomb? OK, he had it being used on Berlin in 1956, but not bad, not bad ata all.
I've read this book just once before. Written before the outbreak of World War 1 in 1914, it is perhaps the first science fiction novel to realistically describe nuclear war. Not bad for thirty years before the Manhattan Project.
This book makes for an interesting read. On the one hand you have the nuclear technology. Wells imagines nuclear power as coming about through artificially triggered radioactivity. Radioactive decay is induced in a heavy metal and power produced. The de...more
This book makes for an interesting read. On the one hand you have the nuclear technology. Wells imagines nuclear power as coming about through artificially triggered radioactivity. Radioactive decay is induced in a heavy metal and power produced. The de...more
I wavered between 3 and 4 stars for this one. There are many positives: Wells was frighteningly prescient on his predictions of nuclear war and on the many pitfalls which awaited human society in the 20th Century. His writing is as clear and as evocative as ever. But what tarnishes the story is the feeling he is lecturing at you. Characters in the book who oppose the World State are portrayed as selfish and stupid, and easily out-maneuvered by the forward seeing people who support it. Wells kee...more
Slow, pedantic, naive and disappointing. Despite a few prophetic ideas this book was underwhelming. The world government was a bit too Euro-centric for my taste and it was proclaimed with too much dispatch. The ex-King Egbert, the King of the Balkans, the American president and "Home Rule" Indians were instances of racial, or national, prejudices... more than just an annoyance. I find Wells uneven in his writing, he could brilliant as in "The Time Machine" and "The Invis...more
This book is probably not the best piece of writing by H. G. Wells. I found it a little prolix in some aspects and superficial in others. The futurism of it though, especially in the scope of technology, is absolutely amazing. Atomic bombs, nuclear energy, global warfare, helicopters – definitely not your garden variety content of a book written before the World War One. If you are a science fiction fan, particularly the early kind, it is a must-read for you.
Excellent classic sci-fi book with a story told only the way that H.G. Wells could. Very thought provoking. The kind of book that makes you think about life and the way we are living it. Even more remarkable were the ideas that Wells presented within the story that were well ahead of the times. This book is probably often overlooked, but it's a must read for any Wells fan.
Its on my kindle on my phone, so it gets attention while waiting places. Good book with some poignant philosphy to offer. I am about 65% through and will finish. We'll see if there is a big bang to the end.
Rw
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
teenage science fiction or futuristic readers
The fantasy world of H,G, Wells. The book seemed to drag on forever and his technical inventions seemed silly today. However, his ultimate messages to the reader are timeless and very thought provoking. Good for a quick read.
H.G. Well's utopianism can be nauseating, but the book had vivid descriptions and prescient insights.
This 1971 edition from Leisure books says "First Time in Paperback" on the cover.
Such an amazing author! How did H.G. Wells know the things he knew? This story was horrifying & amazing & I really loved it.
This has to be one of the most depressing books I have ever read. H.G. Wells' "The World Set Free" lends a whole new meaning to the word dystopia. I had to stop myself from reading it on numerous occasions as I found I was very depressed by what I was reading.
Wells predicted not only the first atomic bomb but also the search for weapons of mass destruction. The difference is that his was successful.
Great book.
HG Well was the first to write about the atom bomb, 26 years before the first atom was even split.
This book was written in 1912. The first atom was split in 1938 and the first real atomic bomb wasn't dropped until 1945.
Old HG was really a person to be astonished by.. his writings were fiction but he had an innate way of looking into the future of human beings and society.
HG Well was the first to write about the atom bomb, 26 years before the first atom was even split.
This book was written in 1912. The first atom was split in 1938 and the first real atomic bomb wasn't dropped until 1945.
Old HG was really a person to be astonished by.. his writings were fiction but he had an innate way of looking into the future of human beings and society.
A utopia brought about by the reaction to atomic warfare in the fifties
(written just after radium was found to be radioactive). Somewhat inspi-
rational, Wells assumes that science will fix everything and that dictatorial
socialism will be the order of the day once people figure out how inefficient
democracy is (on account of all the stupid lawyers, of course).
(written just after radium was found to be radioactive). Somewhat inspi-
rational, Wells assumes that science will fix everything and that dictatorial
socialism will be the order of the day once people figure out how inefficient
democracy is (on account of all the stupid lawyers, of course).
Amazing predictions in this book! Let's see...technology (atomic in this case, not even invented when he wrote it) forces upheaval in the world. The unemployed workers storm the streets (happening now), one world nation is formed (talk of Europe becoming united, how communication has made the world flat) and other crazy stuff. Plus it was free on the Kindle. :-)
got through about 50 pages or so, but just didn't have it in me to finish this one. very dense, and not bedtime reading at all. i so wanted to love it, but it's just not a page turner.
Wells discovers atomic weapons and the theory of MAD (Mutual Assured Destruction).
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers Also Enjoyed
Herbert George Wells, better known as H. G. Wells, was the third son of a small shopkeeper. After two years' apprenticeship in a draper's shop, he became a pupil-teacher at Midhurst Grammar School and won a scholarship to study under T. H. Huxley at the Normal School of Science, South Kensington. He taught biology before becoming a professional writer and journalist.
Wells is most famous today fo...more
More about H.G. Wells...
Wells is most famous today fo...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“He blinked at the sun and dreamt that perhaps he might snare it and spare it as it went down to its resting place amidst the distant hills.”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
