Anticipations

Wells, H. G. (Herbert George), 1866-1946Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.2

Word count: 482K words
Chapters: 49

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today. Anticipations by H. G. Wells. Author: Wells, H. G. (Herbert George), 1866-1946. Language: English. Class: HN: Social sciences: Social history and conditions, Social problems. Release Date: Sep 9, 2006

Editor's review

This is a public-domain electronic edition of Wells's early work of social prediction. Its value lies not in literary storytelling but in watching a major late-nineteenth-century thinker reason about the future of society. The book ranges across social change, population, technology, and institutions, and it carries the urgent concerns and argumentative style of its time. The pleasure of reading it comes from seeing which forecasts came true and which missed the mark, and from examining the habits of thought behind the arguments. The language is English, and the length and density of argument pose a challenge for non-native readers. It suits readers interested in the history of social thought, futures studies, and Wells scholarship, as well as those who enjoy comparing old ideas with the present. Read it with questions in mind; there is no need to follow every sentence.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in the history of social thought and futures studies who want to explore an early predictive text
Readers studying the arc of Wells's work who need background on his nonfiction writing
Readers with solid English reading ability who enjoy a thoughtful dialogue with ideas from an earlier era

Not a good fit for

General literary readers expecting the plot-driven pleasure of a Wells science-fiction novel
Beginning readers who struggle with English and want easy access to conclusions

Reading tips

Start with the table of contents and chapter titles; read closely the sections most relevant to current debates and skim the rest.
Note the author's predictions and the grounds for them as you read, then compare each with reality afterward and form your own judgment.
Read alongside a biography of Wells or material on late-nineteenth-century social context to understand where his concerns came from.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book one of Wells's novels?

No. It is a work of social prediction and commentary in which Wells discusses social change, institutions, and technology. It differs in kind from his science fiction, so readers should expect intellectual argument rather than plot.

How difficult is the English? Is it suitable for non-native readers?

The text is late-nineteenth- to early-twentieth-century English prose, with long sentences and formal vocabulary, so non-native readers will face some obstacles. A solid foundation in English reading is recommended, along with a dictionary and background material.

What should I keep in mind when reading the electronic edition?

Public-domain electronic texts may contain formatting or transcription differences. Use reading software with adjustable fonts and annotation, compare doubtful passages with other editions, and focus on understanding the arguments rather than on individual words and sentences.

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About the author

Wells, H. G. (Herbert George), 1866-1946 Author

H. G. Wells (Herbert George, 1866–1946) was a renowned British author best known for his science fiction and socially engaged works. The collection holds 76 of his works, including The Invisible Man, The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, The Red Room, and The Door in the Wall, and Other Stories, as well as the historical survey The Outline of History. His science fiction often starts from scientific premises and explores technological loss of control, human weakness, and social crisis, with bold imagination and clear narration; The Outline of History reflects his approachable, well-structured writing for general readers. Public information is limited, so biographical details are not elaborated here, but his works show a mastery of novels, short stories, and popular history, and his influence on later science fiction is profound.