New Worlds for Old

‘New Worlds for Old’ is a highly celebrated non-fiction book about socialism by H.G. Wells. The book was written by Wells due to the success and praise of his earlier political writings and it is the most insightful and comprehensive portrayal of the author’s socialist views. With a unique and balanced approach, Wells argues for a just and equitable society built on collectivism instead of individualism. However, the book is not simply reiterating Marx as Wells criticises armed revolution and praises constructive socialism. ‘New Worlds for Old’ was incredibly successful at the time of its release and was praised by authors and activists such as Joseph Conrad and Helen Keller. This book remains highly influential and relevant and should be read by anyone interested in politics and especially socialism.
H. G. Wells (1866-1946) was a celebrated English writer, remembered mostly for his science fiction works. Often described as a futurist, H. G. Wells’ influence cannot be overstated for his works foresaw many technological innovations such as space travel, the atomic bomb, and the Internet. A four-time Nobel Prize in Literature nominee, Wells explored a wide array of themes in his works, from religion to social criticism and beyond. Some of his best works include the time-travel novel ‘The Time Machine’, the sci-fi adventure novel ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’, and the mankind-versus-aliens novel ‘The War of the Worlds’. Wells occupies one of the central seats in the canon of science-fiction literature and his writing inspired other celebrated authors such as Ray Bradbury and Philip K. Dick. Wells’ stories are still widely read to this day and have had numerous cinematic adaptations including ‘The Invisible Man’ starring Elisabeth Moss.