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War of the Worlds (Star Trek Series Cast)
In a remake of the classic radio drama, horrifying life forms emerge from a strange object in a New Jersey farmer's field, marking the beginning of an invasion from Mars.
1 pages, Audio Cassette
Published March 17, 1997
1 person is currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
H.G. Wells
5,305 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 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 9, 2019
This was the audiobook I listened to which is an adaptation of War of the worlds by H.G. Wells with Leonard Nimoy and more in it. It was a pretty good audiobook. Be sure to find this audiobook at your local library and wherever books are sold.
December 25, 2021
This is a radio drama for war of the worlds so maybe it doesn't really count as a book. Some of my favorite Star Trek actors brought this story to life in such an enjoyable way. I also love the story. War of the Worlds was one of the first sci-fi stories I ever heard, I remember listening to the original record with my dad when I was little. It might be a 5 star rating simply for the nostalgia of it all but I loved it!
June 9, 2023
I've been watching the new TV adaptation of War of The Worlds so I'm going back to the original source material. (I'm reading the original book and will be listening to the classic radio show from Orson Wells). Having the Star Trek cast perform this was a fun addition!
May 28, 2025
Really enjoyed this dramatized audio version of 2007. Performed by a selection of ST actors. Nice! Jeff Wayne’s musical version (1978) of this story was different (yeah… duh! a musical) but enjoyable as well as I remember. Anywho. Original story by H.G. Wells (1898), which I have to reread some time.
June 21, 2018
This was a wonderful, 60+ minutes of some of my favorite Trek actors doing what they do best, acting!
It was a little bitter sweet listening to Leonard Nimoy but he was marvoulus and Brent Spiner was spectacularly creepy when he gave voice to the crazy survivor, he voices other characters as well but he does meglomania really well.
Gates McFadden's role as the news correspondent was a nice break from the all male cast. She did an excellent job, sort of reminded me of an Audrea Hepburn performance. There's a short interview with Gates at the end of the production where she explained she had to take inspiration from female actors of the time (post WWII) because there were no female new correspondents for her to draw upon. She doesn't name the actresses who inspired her performance but I imagine Hepburn would have been one.
As for Wil Wheaton; I could not for the life of me pick out his voice among the cast but he is listed! I shouldn't be too surprised because he did an amazing job of creating distinct voices for multiple characters in the last audiobook (Armada) that I listened too. So, great job!
Kudos all around!
It was a little bitter sweet listening to Leonard Nimoy but he was marvoulus and Brent Spiner was spectacularly creepy when he gave voice to the crazy survivor, he voices other characters as well but he does meglomania really well.
Gates McFadden's role as the news correspondent was a nice break from the all male cast. She did an excellent job, sort of reminded me of an Audrea Hepburn performance. There's a short interview with Gates at the end of the production where she explained she had to take inspiration from female actors of the time (post WWII) because there were no female new correspondents for her to draw upon. She doesn't name the actresses who inspired her performance but I imagine Hepburn would have been one.
As for Wil Wheaton; I could not for the life of me pick out his voice among the cast but he is listed! I shouldn't be too surprised because he did an amazing job of creating distinct voices for multiple characters in the last audiobook (Armada) that I listened too. So, great job!
Kudos all around!
September 14, 2023
The Wells book is such a classic, and I am such a fan of Nimoy, Spiner, deLancey, and Wheaton. My high hopes for this radio play re-enactment melted into a final “meh.” It was all a bit overwrought, even more than the original radio play. Gates McFadden, as is her habit, overdid every syllable. I actually cheered when her character got zapped.* No surprise there since I have never been a fan of her so-called acting, even in ST-TNG.
*What? Don't give me that "spoiler" nonsense. The book came out in 1897, the radio play aired in 1938. You've had plenty of time.
*What? Don't give me that "spoiler" nonsense. The book came out in 1897, the radio play aired in 1938. You've had plenty of time.
September 21, 2015
I have always wondered what the radio presentation of War of the Worlds had been like. Now I know, and it is marvelous. The only thing keeping this from being five stars is a lack of build-up and tension. Had this truly been live, with more gaps for news and music and the like, I would have felt more anxious or panicked as the original audience would have. I can understand why it was condensed, but it still took away from the story slightly.
January 29, 2020
A recreation of the classic War of the Worlds broadcast told by the legends of Star Trek.
Not a book but I wanted to record it here so I did not forget that I had a chance to enjoy this wonderful audio.
The classic tale made all the better by better technology and better acting than the original.
Not a book but I wanted to record it here so I did not forget that I had a chance to enjoy this wonderful audio.
The classic tale made all the better by better technology and better acting than the original.
March 15, 2015
Amazing how long ago this was written in serial form. This was a remake of the radio show that terrorized many in 1938 with Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre radio performance on Halloween. What was touching about this, was that Leonard Nemoy was part of the performance.
November 28, 2015
very enjoyable way to listen to this classic story. :)
December 23, 2024
Curious of how this story might have caused a fright to radio listeners years ago, I chose this recreation. I enjoyed the story, but the first 20 minutes also reminded me of current media coverage of drones in New Jersey.
March 13, 2025
(3.5) Cuánto anglocentrismo che.
July 19, 2025
This was a fun dramatization done by various Star Trek cast members.
September 9, 2025
Very fun production to listen to with some of the Star Trek alumni
February 8, 2026
I can see why in 1938 people who heard this on radio thought it was a true invasion happening. It had me on the edge of my seat and I knew it was just an audio play. Fantastic!
December 21, 2023
Intriguing idea, not a big fan of the execution.
January 30, 2014
Alums of Star Trek. Reading H.G. Wells. For NPR.
Living in a nerd's paradise!
That was a whole lot of fun. I'd been hearing for years not to judge War of the Worlds by the Tom Cruise movie (which I saw and abhorred), and now I understand why.
I mean, the short answer is "Because the original is way better."
L.A. Theatre Works put way more love and attention into that 45-minute broadcast than I felt in the whole movie. Probably because of all that extra crud they put in the movie so that it lasted longer than 45 minutes. And so that Tom Cruise's character could exist.
And anyway, the audio-only format is kind of the only way to go for a piece with this much history with radio. Even without the radio being as central in the lives of today's listeners as it was when the piece was written, listening to War of the Worlds forms a unique and wonderful bond between audience and material. It's so much more fun to sit back and feel the weight of everything Wells doesn't explain or describe. That's kind of the point. The invasion is so much more menacing when you're removed from actually witnessing it. It's about the position of powerlessness you're put in by having so little information. That in turn makes you rely more and more heavily on the few and bare descriptions provided in the broadcast--every second of it starts to count in a way that doesn't really happen with movies, or even with books. Which is REALLY FREAKING COOL, you guys.
Or you could watch a giant robot shoot lasers at Tom Cruise. Whatever floats your boat. I'll be geeking over Brent Spiner over here in nerd's paradise.
Living in a nerd's paradise!
That was a whole lot of fun. I'd been hearing for years not to judge War of the Worlds by the Tom Cruise movie (which I saw and abhorred), and now I understand why.
I mean, the short answer is "Because the original is way better."
L.A. Theatre Works put way more love and attention into that 45-minute broadcast than I felt in the whole movie. Probably because of all that extra crud they put in the movie so that it lasted longer than 45 minutes. And so that Tom Cruise's character could exist.
And anyway, the audio-only format is kind of the only way to go for a piece with this much history with radio. Even without the radio being as central in the lives of today's listeners as it was when the piece was written, listening to War of the Worlds forms a unique and wonderful bond between audience and material. It's so much more fun to sit back and feel the weight of everything Wells doesn't explain or describe. That's kind of the point. The invasion is so much more menacing when you're removed from actually witnessing it. It's about the position of powerlessness you're put in by having so little information. That in turn makes you rely more and more heavily on the few and bare descriptions provided in the broadcast--every second of it starts to count in a way that doesn't really happen with movies, or even with books. Which is REALLY FREAKING COOL, you guys.
Or you could watch a giant robot shoot lasers at Tom Cruise. Whatever floats your boat. I'll be geeking over Brent Spiner over here in nerd's paradise.
March 23, 2017
3,5
The first two thirds of the one-hour broadcast were presented as a series of simulated news bulletins, which suggested an actual alien invasion by Martians was currently in progress. Compounding the issue was the fact that the Mercury Theatre on the Air was a sustaining show (it ran without commercial breaks), adding to the program's realism.
The last third of the program is a monologue and dialogue. Welles returns as Professor Pierson, describing the aftermath of the attacks. The story ends, as does the novel, with the Martians falling victim to earthly pathogenic germs, to which they have no immunity.
After the play, Welles assumes his role as host and tells listeners that the broadcast was a Halloween concoction: the equivalent, he says, "of dressing up in a sheet, jumping out of a bush and saying, 'Boo!'" Popular mythology holds this disclaimer was hastily added to the broadcast at the insistence of CBS executives as they became aware of panic inspired by the program; in fact, it had appeared in Koch's working script for the play.
The first two thirds of the one-hour broadcast were presented as a series of simulated news bulletins, which suggested an actual alien invasion by Martians was currently in progress. Compounding the issue was the fact that the Mercury Theatre on the Air was a sustaining show (it ran without commercial breaks), adding to the program's realism.
The last third of the program is a monologue and dialogue. Welles returns as Professor Pierson, describing the aftermath of the attacks. The story ends, as does the novel, with the Martians falling victim to earthly pathogenic germs, to which they have no immunity.
After the play, Welles assumes his role as host and tells listeners that the broadcast was a Halloween concoction: the equivalent, he says, "of dressing up in a sheet, jumping out of a bush and saying, 'Boo!'" Popular mythology holds this disclaimer was hastily added to the broadcast at the insistence of CBS executives as they became aware of panic inspired by the program; in fact, it had appeared in Koch's working script for the play.
January 28, 2020
Una novela visionaria para su época, mostrándonos por primera vez no solo cómo sería una invasión alienígena (marciana en aquel entonces) a nuestro planeta, sino que también reflejando a la perfección el cómo no tendríamos oportunidad alguna contra ellos.
H. G. Wells demuestra mediante su prosa en primera persona a la humanidad sumida en la más profunda de sus angustias y calamidades, hambrienta por sobrevivir a una guerra que no pidió, y que tampoco podrá ganar por sus propios méritos
3/5. Es una gran libro, aunque el hecho de pertenecer a una época más lejana hace que quede desfasado a la hora de contar aquellos hechos, más aún en comparación con la espectacularidad que nos ofrece la ciencia ficción hoy en día, a lo que se le suma una prosa que puede resultar pesada; pero es en esa sencillez de los hechos donde reside el valor de esta historia, probando una vez más como los seres humanos, pese a cualquier avance posible, seremos y somos presa fácil, frente a lo desconocido.
H. G. Wells demuestra mediante su prosa en primera persona a la humanidad sumida en la más profunda de sus angustias y calamidades, hambrienta por sobrevivir a una guerra que no pidió, y que tampoco podrá ganar por sus propios méritos
3/5. Es una gran libro, aunque el hecho de pertenecer a una época más lejana hace que quede desfasado a la hora de contar aquellos hechos, más aún en comparación con la espectacularidad que nos ofrece la ciencia ficción hoy en día, a lo que se le suma una prosa que puede resultar pesada; pero es en esa sencillez de los hechos donde reside el valor de esta historia, probando una vez más como los seres humanos, pese a cualquier avance posible, seremos y somos presa fácil, frente a lo desconocido.
March 2, 2018
Revisiting a classic
Revisiting this classic in pursuit of studying radio drama, what most impresses me about this script now is not it's then-novel approach to a broadcast reenactment, but how the story of The War of the Worlds was so smartly adapted and condensed to fit the format while still maintaining the primary essence of the story and making it blend in with its contemporary time. Similarly, presenting the story as a broadcast in the first half and as a narrative in the second half while still remaining cohesive in terms of plot and character makes the script feel fresh, even now. This shift in perspectives on telling the same story through different lenses is highly cinematic in its approach, a reminder of a time pre-television when film and radio often informed one another.
Revisiting this classic in pursuit of studying radio drama, what most impresses me about this script now is not it's then-novel approach to a broadcast reenactment, but how the story of The War of the Worlds was so smartly adapted and condensed to fit the format while still maintaining the primary essence of the story and making it blend in with its contemporary time. Similarly, presenting the story as a broadcast in the first half and as a narrative in the second half while still remaining cohesive in terms of plot and character makes the script feel fresh, even now. This shift in perspectives on telling the same story through different lenses is highly cinematic in its approach, a reminder of a time pre-television when film and radio often informed one another.
June 28, 2024
I've never listened to the original by Orson Wells, but this presentation was absolutely enjoyable. Leonard Nimoy was one of the performers and at the conclusion of the story there was an NPR interview with him included. It was very interesting to hear his reflections as to both this performance and the world as it existed when the original production occurred. It was also interesting to hear about how some of the story was built and tailored for radio. For instance, some of the more attention grabbing beats in the story would happen when other radio stations were at commercial. Wells did this in hopes of grabbing listeners as they turned dials to listen to something else during the breaks with the intent that they'd be drawn in and stay with his broadcast. This story is another quick listen and definitely recommend!
July 30, 2023
A fun little radio adventure that remains relevant almost 100 years after it was first penned
February 8, 2015
This production lacks nothing in its retelling. The fast-paced dialogue may not keep you on the edge of your seat (we all know how it’s going to end), but the listener will still get caught up in the excitement of the minute-by-minute reporting of the invasion from Mars. It goes without saying that the acting in this drama is superb, and along with the music and sound effects, this rendition is quite entertaining.
December 5, 2012
This was a quick and fun listen! I think it weird that many people heard this on the radio and thought it was real. But things were different then and they didn't have famous Star Trek actors playing the parts so even though you're listening and maybe with your eyes closed, you picture Spock, Data, Dr Crusher and Wesley as the event unfolds..
July 2, 2016
The recording quality and special effects were excellent. That acting was quite good. But the scipt itself felt like it was written by a jr high school drama club. I assume that was from the original material, not the fault of this rendition. It is only 1 hour long, so you've got nothing to lose by giving it a try. I wish the story were more fully developed; the end seemed rushed.
December 5, 2016
This was a fun quick listen that my husband and I borrowed for a recent trip. It is quite short, only an hour, but what made it particularly fun for us was that it was performed by actors from the Star Trek franchise. They did a wonderful job of capturing the feel of an old-time radio broadcast performance. It was well worth the listen it is just a shame it was so short.
December 9, 2021
Exceptional audio drama adaptation of the H. G. Wells original. The Star Trek cast stands out, particularly Leonard Nimoy, Gates McFadden and Dwight Schultz.
An enjoyable diversion. It does not follow the original too closely, on some level it appears to be inspired by Orson Welles more than H.G. Wells. Two thumbs up!
An enjoyable diversion. It does not follow the original too closely, on some level it appears to be inspired by Orson Welles more than H.G. Wells. Two thumbs up!
August 13, 2015
Although this is well-performed, including by the late great Leonard Nimoy, it is a dramatisation - for those looking for the full text, this is not it.
December 29, 2015
I would listen to Leonard Nimoy read the menu at a pizza shop, so this was a no brainer for me. But it was great to accompany a treadmill run today and also got me interested in radio dramas. So good, more stuff to add to my TBR list.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews