H. G. Wells

Illustrated Edition with 20 Original IllustrationsIncludes a Comprehensive SummaryFeatures a Detailed Characters ListContains an Author BiographyEmbark on an extraordinary journey to a world where the dreams of a perfect society come to life in H. G. Wells's visionary masterpiece, A Modern Utopia. This illustrated edition brings the utopian landscape to vivid reality with 20 original illustrations, enriching your reading experience and immersing you in Wells's imaginative world. In A Modern Utopia, two travelers find themselves in a parallel universe, an Earth-like planet where human civilization has reached the pinnacle of rational thought, social equality, and scientific advancement. As they explore this new world, they encounter the Samurai, a disciplined and enlightened order tasked with maintaining the utopian ideals. Through their interactions and observations, Wells delves into profound themes of governance, individuality, and the potential for human progress. This edition not only captivates with its visual appeal but also offers a comprehensive summary, a detailed characters list, and an insightful biography of H. G. Wells. These additions provide deeper context and understanding, making it an invaluable companion for both new readers and long-time fans of Wells's work. Learn about the complex relationship between individual freedom and the well-being of society, as well as the timeless significance of Wells's vision. More than just a book, A Modern Utopia is an insightful examination of human potential and a call to action for contemplating the measures required to improve the world. Give yourself over to this exquisitely drawn version and let your creativity to run wild.

This Norton Critical Edition includes: The 1896 William Heinemann edition of Wells’s novel—a cauldron of scientific ambition, interspecies conflict, and neocolonial violence—with a glossary of nautical, botanical, and geological terms. A preface with a note on the text, contextualizing headnotes, and explanatory footnotes by Kimberly W. Benston. Eight illustrations, including the 1896 frontispiece and artworks relating to the novel’s context. An especially rich selection of contextual materials, topically organized: “Evolution: Theory, Society, Language, and Ethics”; “Race, Cannibalism, and Empire”; “Animality, Science, and the Vivisection Debate”; and “Wells on Evolution, Pain, Extinction, and Animal Mind.” Fourteen critical interpretations, from reviews upon publication to current critical scholarship. A chronology of Wells’s life and a selected bibliography.