{"product_id":"2940173787064","title":"The War of the Worlds : Penguin Classics","description":"\u003cp\u003eBrought to you by Penguin.   \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe first modern tale of alien invasion, H.G. Wells' \u003ci\u003eThe War of the Worlds \u003c\/i\u003eremains one of the most influential science fiction novels ever published. \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThis Penguin Classics edition is edited by Patrick Parrinder, with an introduction by Brian Aldiss, author of \u003ci\u003eHothouse\u003c\/i\u003e, and notes by Andy Sawyer.  \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe night after a shooting star is seen streaking through the sky from Mars, a cylinder is discovered on Horsell Common in London. At first, naïve locals approach the cylinder armed just with a white flag amp;mdash; only to be quickly killed by an all-destroying heat ray, as terrifying tentacled invaders emerge. \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eSoon the whole of human civilisation is under threat, as powerful Martians build gigantic killing machines, destroy all in their path with black gas and burning rays, and feast on the warm blood of trapped, still-living human prey. \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe forces of the Earth, however, may prove harder to beat than they at first appear.  \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe War of the Worlds \u003c\/i\u003ehas been the subject of countless adaptations, including an Orson Welles radio drama which caused mass panic when it was broadcast, with listeners confusing it for a news broadcast heralding alien invasion; a musical version by Jeff Wayne; and, most recently, Steven Spielberg's 2005 film version, starring Tom Cruise. \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThis Penguin Classics edition includes a full biographical essay on Wells, a further reading list and detailed notes. The introduction, by Brian Aldiss, considers the novel's view of religion and society.   \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eH.G. Wells (1866-1946) was a professional writer and journalist. Among his most popular works are \u003ci\u003eThe Time Machine \u003c\/i\u003e(1895); \u003ci\u003eThe Island of Doctor Moreau \u003c\/i\u003e(1896), filmed with Bela Lugosi in 1932, and again in 1996 with Marlon Brando; \u003ci\u003eThe Invisible Man \u003c\/i\u003e(1897); \u003ci\u003eThe War of the Worlds \u003c\/i\u003e(1898); and \u003ci\u003eThe First Men in the Moon \u003c\/i\u003e(1901), which predicted the first lunar landings. If you enjoyed \u003ci\u003eThe War of the Worlds\u003c\/i\u003e, you might like Wells' \u003ci\u003eThe Time Machine\u003c\/i\u003e, also available in Penguin Classics.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penguin Books, Limited","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47106396094704,"sku":"2940173787064","price":17.33,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940173787064_p0.jpg?v=1772496579","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940173787064","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}