THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

by H. G. Wells ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 5, 1933

When H. G. Wells turns to prophecies of the future, he rates more thoughtful consideration than other literary prophets. Here is no fantastic picturing of a world controlled by Air Power's, as in Michael Arlen's recent MAN'S MORTALITY, nor any picture of an idealistic, rationalistic state such as described in Robert Herrick's SOMETIME. Rather is it a study of the next century and a half, with roots in the present and the immediate past. The first part of the book analyzes current history from the viewpoint of the future looking back at us. Between the present and 1978, Wells paints a gloomy picture of utter deterioration, a slipping back almost into primitive conditions, bordering on the savagery depicted in Collier's FULL CIRCLE. Wars and yet more wars, a letting loose of the brute instincts upon humanity, but throughout a gradually developing germ of a World State, which will come into being in 1978, with an Air Dictatorship, Educational Control, and a sociological and psychological rebirth. There is much to challenge the thoughtful reader, and the method of handling is human enough and personal enough to make rather exciting reading (though not intended for morons). There is much typical Wellsian philosophy, of course.

Pub Date: Sept. 5, 1933

ISBN: 0575095199

Page Count: -

Publisher: Macmillan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1933

Categories: NONFICTION