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The First Men in the Moon and a Modern Utopia
With an Introduction and Notes by David Stuart Davies
When penniless businessman Mr Bedford retreats to Kent to write a play, he encounters Dr Cavor, an absent-minded scientist who has invented a material that counteracts gravity. This discovery enables the two men to set off on a fantastic journey to the Moon. But they are not prepared for what they find there - a world of freezing nights, boiling days and danger from a sinister alien lifeform, the selenites, creatures who have developed an intricate hierarchical society beneath the lunar surface.
The First Men in the Moon ignited speculation in nineteenth century society concerning what lies on and beneath the surface of the Moon. By turns amusing, thrilling and stimulating, the novel is a classic of its genre.
This volume also contains another of Wells's fascinating thought-provoking fantasies: A Modern Utopia in which two travellers fall into a space-warp and find themselves upon a Utopian Earth controlled by a single World Government.
When penniless businessman Mr Bedford retreats to Kent to write a play, he encounters Dr Cavor, an absent-minded scientist who has invented a material that counteracts gravity. This discovery enables the two men to set off on a fantastic journey to the Moon. But they are not prepared for what they find there - a world of freezing nights, boiling days and danger from a sinister alien lifeform, the selenites, creatures who have developed an intricate hierarchical society beneath the lunar surface.
The First Men in the Moon ignited speculation in nineteenth century society concerning what lies on and beneath the surface of the Moon. By turns amusing, thrilling and stimulating, the novel is a classic of its genre.
This volume also contains another of Wells's fascinating thought-provoking fantasies: A Modern Utopia in which two travellers fall into a space-warp and find themselves upon a Utopian Earth controlled by a single World Government.
416 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2014
3 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
H.G. Wells
5,306 books11.2k followersHerbert George Wells was born to a working class family in Kent, England. Young Wells received a spotty education, interrupted by several illnesses and family difficulties, and became a draper's apprentice as a teenager. The headmaster of Midhurst Grammar School, where he had spent a year, arranged for him to return as an "usher," or student teacher. Wells earned a government scholarship in 1884, to study biology under Thomas Henry Huxley at the Normal School of Science. Wells earned his bachelor of science and doctor of science degrees at the University of London. After marrying his cousin, Isabel, Wells began to supplement his teaching salary with short stories and freelance articles, then books, including The Time Machine (1895), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896), The Invisible Man (1897), and The War of the Worlds (1898).
Wells created a mild scandal when he divorced his cousin to marry one of his best students, Amy Catherine Robbins. Although his second marriage was lasting and produced two sons, Wells was an unabashed advocate of free (as opposed to "indiscriminate") love. He continued to openly have extra-marital liaisons, most famously with Margaret Sanger, and a ten-year relationship with the author Rebecca West, who had one of his two out-of-wedlock children. A one-time member of the Fabian Society, Wells sought active change. His 100 books included many novels, as well as nonfiction, such as A Modern Utopia (1905), The Outline of History (1920), A Short History of the World (1922), The Shape of Things to Come (1933), and The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind (1932). One of his booklets was Crux Ansata, An Indictment of the Roman Catholic Church. Although Wells toyed briefly with the idea of a "divine will" in his book, God the Invisible King (1917), it was a temporary aberration. Wells used his international fame to promote his favorite causes, including the prevention of war, and was received by government officials around the world. He is best-remembered as an early writer of science fiction and futurism.
He was also an outspoken socialist. Wells and Jules Verne are each sometimes referred to as "The Fathers of Science Fiction". D. 1946.
More: http://philosopedia.org/index.php/H._...
http://www.online-literature.com/well...
http://www.hgwellsusa.50megs.com/
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._G._Wells
Wells created a mild scandal when he divorced his cousin to marry one of his best students, Amy Catherine Robbins. Although his second marriage was lasting and produced two sons, Wells was an unabashed advocate of free (as opposed to "indiscriminate") love. He continued to openly have extra-marital liaisons, most famously with Margaret Sanger, and a ten-year relationship with the author Rebecca West, who had one of his two out-of-wedlock children. A one-time member of the Fabian Society, Wells sought active change. His 100 books included many novels, as well as nonfiction, such as A Modern Utopia (1905), The Outline of History (1920), A Short History of the World (1922), The Shape of Things to Come (1933), and The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind (1932). One of his booklets was Crux Ansata, An Indictment of the Roman Catholic Church. Although Wells toyed briefly with the idea of a "divine will" in his book, God the Invisible King (1917), it was a temporary aberration. Wells used his international fame to promote his favorite causes, including the prevention of war, and was received by government officials around the world. He is best-remembered as an early writer of science fiction and futurism.
He was also an outspoken socialist. Wells and Jules Verne are each sometimes referred to as "The Fathers of Science Fiction". D. 1946.
More: http://philosopedia.org/index.php/H._...
http://www.online-literature.com/well...
http://www.hgwellsusa.50megs.com/
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._G._Wells
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 14, 2023
3/5
The story begins with a chance encounter between the protagonist, a businessman named Bedford, and an eccentric scientist named Cavor. The two become friends and embark on a journey to the moon using Cavor's anti-gravity substance called Cavorite. They build a spherical spaceship and launch it from a point in Wales.
Upon arriving on the moon, they discover that the moon is hollow and contains an interior world. They encounter strange creatures, such as giant mooncalves and selenites, a race of insect-like beings who are the dominant species on the moon.
Bedford and Cavor become separated during an encounter with the selenites, and Bedford is eventually captured and imprisoned by them. Cavor, on the other hand, manages to escape and make his way back to Earth. He returns with a large quantity of Cavorite, which he believes will make him a wealthy man.
However, upon arriving back on the moon, Cavor discovers that the selenites have become aware of the potential of the Cavorite and have begun to build their own spaceships in order to invade Earth. Cavor and Bedford work together to destroy the Cavorite and prevent the selenites from reaching Earth.
In the end, Bedford returns to Earth and publishes an account of their journey to the moon. However, he is haunted by the memory of his experiences on the moon and the possibility that the selenites may one day come to Earth. Cavor, meanwhile, is presumed to have died on the moon.
Overall, "The First Men in the Moon" is a classic science fiction adventure that explores themes of discovery, exploration, and the potential dangers of encountering alien life.
The story begins with a chance encounter between the protagonist, a businessman named Bedford, and an eccentric scientist named Cavor. The two become friends and embark on a journey to the moon using Cavor's anti-gravity substance called Cavorite. They build a spherical spaceship and launch it from a point in Wales.
Upon arriving on the moon, they discover that the moon is hollow and contains an interior world. They encounter strange creatures, such as giant mooncalves and selenites, a race of insect-like beings who are the dominant species on the moon.
Bedford and Cavor become separated during an encounter with the selenites, and Bedford is eventually captured and imprisoned by them. Cavor, on the other hand, manages to escape and make his way back to Earth. He returns with a large quantity of Cavorite, which he believes will make him a wealthy man.
However, upon arriving back on the moon, Cavor discovers that the selenites have become aware of the potential of the Cavorite and have begun to build their own spaceships in order to invade Earth. Cavor and Bedford work together to destroy the Cavorite and prevent the selenites from reaching Earth.
In the end, Bedford returns to Earth and publishes an account of their journey to the moon. However, he is haunted by the memory of his experiences on the moon and the possibility that the selenites may one day come to Earth. Cavor, meanwhile, is presumed to have died on the moon.
Overall, "The First Men in the Moon" is a classic science fiction adventure that explores themes of discovery, exploration, and the potential dangers of encountering alien life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2020
The First Men in the Moon was excellent, sadly A Modern Utopia was a let down for me and made it drag for me, if it was only the first story, then I think I would've given it a full 5 stars.
November 11, 2020
The First Men in The Moon.
Some of the concepts in this book are so advanced for the time, it boggles the mind how Wells could conceive such stuff! The imagination and theoretical ecology of the moon is a treat to read especially to somebody who takes an interest in these areas on terra firma.
A Modern Utopia.
The "owner of the voice" isn't something I've come across in fiction before so that alone added a novel element to this book. There are some wild and whacky ideas thrown around here however a lot of the utopian morals seem very sensible and quite modern. Amazing to think that quite a lot of what he's predicting has become reality in one way or another.
The idea of the Samurai is one that I really like the idea of, it almost seems to fit the stoic revival that seems to be happeing today. Perhaps the Samurai are yet another of his ideas that are just yet to come to fruition.
Both books make a strong case for a universal language and state so that we as a speies can see eye to eye and be rid of war.
Some of the concepts in this book are so advanced for the time, it boggles the mind how Wells could conceive such stuff! The imagination and theoretical ecology of the moon is a treat to read especially to somebody who takes an interest in these areas on terra firma.
A Modern Utopia.
The "owner of the voice" isn't something I've come across in fiction before so that alone added a novel element to this book. There are some wild and whacky ideas thrown around here however a lot of the utopian morals seem very sensible and quite modern. Amazing to think that quite a lot of what he's predicting has become reality in one way or another.
The idea of the Samurai is one that I really like the idea of, it almost seems to fit the stoic revival that seems to be happeing today. Perhaps the Samurai are yet another of his ideas that are just yet to come to fruition.
Both books make a strong case for a universal language and state so that we as a speies can see eye to eye and be rid of war.
August 12, 2018
Quite an impression I have got from the piece of reading. Ingenious mind worked its way into something unfathomable. Only to imagine the Moon’s world on the inside, intricate, crowded with the creatures of ant-like organization, but much more developed, sustainable and self-sufficient, and altogether not at all like the Earth’s world. Appealing in its ways. With the creatures all pertaining to a system of one universal mind, devoid of any individual passions – everything for the benefit of one common good. With the division of labour brought to the level of genetic mutation and further after-birth alterations. Quite unaesthetic according to the terrestrial standards. The capacity to strive and survive is, however, beyond any measure.
October 5, 2018
Bedford is a bit of a dick lol
Interesting adventure story about travelling to the moon in a sphere and meeting the locals. Doesn't really follow "true" science, but still makes some kind of science up to explain how they get to the moon.Hollow earth story, but hollow moon instead?
Interesting adventure story about travelling to the moon in a sphere and meeting the locals. Doesn't really follow "true" science, but still makes some kind of science up to explain how they get to the moon.Hollow earth story, but hollow moon instead?
February 4, 2021
First men in the moon- Starts slow but turns into an exciting adventure!
August 19, 2022
Not great....
July 30, 2023
Great book, I listened to the audiobook version on YouTube. I will leave the link below so that everyone can enjoy it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzpIv...
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews