ALIEN INVASIONS VS. IMPERIALISM

Originally published in 1898, The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells uses Martians’ invasion as a metaphor for European imperialism, reflecting the anxieties of the late Victorian era. Through the lens of extraterrestrial conquest, the novel critiques the destructive nature of colonialism and the hubris of technological superiority. By having the fate of seemingly invincible Martians succumbing to the Earth’s microbial life forms it also highlights the inherent vulnerability and fragility of even the most advanced civilizations when faced with forces beyond their control. Due to this reminder of the limits of power and the consequences of arrogance and aggression, the novel remains a crucial piece despite its age and inspired numerous film, radio, and television adaptations.

One special aspect of this particular edition was its price of 25 cents. Published by Pocket Books — the revolutionary publisher of the first mass-market, pocket-sized paperback books in the U.S. — this work was introduced to a wider audience with the same content as the original higher-priced edition. As it is the first Pocket Book edition to be published, the book was also printed from brand-new plates made with completely reset, clear, easy-to-read type. However, to achieve this faster and cheaper production, readers must accept the lower-quality paper and some text that may not be perfectly centered on the page.

by Hannah Wu, Data Science, Class of 2026

The War of the Worlds
Written by H.G. (Herbert George) Wells
Published by Pocket Books on May 1953, Series no.947
Science Fiction Collection