John R. Hammond

"Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe" -- H.G. Wells A Preface to H.G. Wells outlines his life, cultural background and explores important places and people in his life and their effect on his writings. Examines main areas of critical debate regarding Wells and his work and his two most frequently discussed novels The Time Machine and Tono-Bungay. Looks at Wells and his circle, offers short biographies, a Wells geography and examines his literary reputation. H.G. Wells was a novelist, journalist, sociologist and historian and A Preface to H.G. Wells begins by outlining his life, including his childhood and education, as well as his influences. There follows a section of critical commentary which examines, among others, his science fiction and social novels, the narrative voice and particular attention is paid to The Time Machine and Tono-Bungay. Concluding is an examination of his literary reputation. 'This little book is imbued with the qualities that will ensure for H G Wells a lasting place in literary history: a sense of wonder, poetic imagination, vivid narrative power and the gift of compelling belief. Above all it epitomizes that ability to create a myth of enduring relevance to the human condition which may yet prove to be his finest contribution to life and thought.' -- From the introduction to A Preface to H.G. Wells John Hammond is the founding president of the H.G. Wells Society.

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