The first men in the moon - herbert george wells

'As we saw it first it was the wildest and most desolate of scenes. We were in an enormous amphitheatre, a vast circular plain, the floor of the giant crater. Its cliff-like wall closed us in on every side?'Thanks to the discovery of an anti-gravity metal, Cavorite, two Victorian Englishman decide to tackle the most prestigious goal - space travel. They construct a sphere that will ultimately take them to the moon. On landing, they encounter what seems like an utterly barren landscape but they soon find signs that the planet was once very much alive. Then they hear curious hammering sounds from beneath the surface, and come face to face with the Selenites, a race of insect-like aliens living in a rigidly organised hive society. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

With an Introduction and Notes by Dr Andrew Frayn, Lecturer in Twentieth-Century Literature and Culture at Edinburgh Napier University.In these two compelling novels H.G. Wells imagines terrifying futures in which civilisation itself is threatened.The narrator of The War of the Worlds is quick to discover that what appeared to be a falling star was, in fact, a metallic cylinder landing from Mars. Six million people begin to flee London in panic as tentacled invaders emerge and overpower the city. With their heat-ray, killing machines, black gas, and a taste for fresh human blood, is there anything that can be done to stop the Martians?In The War in the Air, naive but resourceful Bert Smallways is thrilled by speed and fascinated by the new flying machines. His curiosity sweeps him away by accident into a German plan to conquer America, beginning with the destruction of New York. The ease of movement in aerial warfare means that nothing and nobody is safe as Total War erupts, civilisation crumbles, and Bert's hopes of getting back to London to marry his love seem impossibly distant. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

HarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics. ‘A good essay must have this permanent quality about it; it must draw its curtain round us, but it must be a curtain that shuts us in not out' In the first volume of her critical essays, Virginia Woolf discusses the greatest authors of the literary canon - Jane Austen, George Eliot and Geoffrey Chaucer among others - with the everyday, ‘common reader' in mind. With wit and insight, Woolf also revisits classic novels and examines scholarly subjects, from the Greek language to the Modern Essay, to the Brontë's Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. First published in 1925, The Common Reader is a stunning work from one of the most perceptive minds of the twentieth century, a collection which continues to nurture the joys of literature and reading to this day. Review ‘groundbreaking … a true classic that has pointed the way not just for science-fiction writers, but for how we as a civilisation might think of ourselves' Guardian ‘[Wells' work is] astonishingly rich in human and historical interest … he foresaw the invention of, among other things, television, tanks, aerial warfare and the atom bomb' David Lodge ‘I personally consider the greatest of English living writers [to be] H. G. Wells' Upton Sinclair About the Author Virginia Woolf was an English novelist, essayist, short story writer, publisher, critic and member of the Bloomsbury group, as well as being regarded as both a hugely significant modernist and feminist figure. Her most famous works include Mrs Dalloway, To the Lighthouse and A Room of One's Own. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Containing loosely autobiographical elements, ‘In the Modern Vein’ is a short story detailing the romantic pursuits of the poet, Aubrey Vair. The crux of the tale focuses on Vair’s brief, platonic affair with the enigmatic Miss Smith. Will Vair return to his wife or elope with his new love? Wells allows us to experience the turmoil Vair endures in touching and unexpected detail. Given the rumours of his numerous affairs in real-life, could this be the author is trying to lay old ghosts to rest? H.G. Wells (1866 – 1946) was a prolific writer and the author of more than 50 novels. Additionally, he wrote more than 60 short stories, alongside various scientific papers. Many of his most famous works have been adapted for film and television, including ‘The Time Machine,’ starring Guy Pearce, ‘War of the Worlds,’ starring Tom Cruise, and ‘The Invisible Man,’ starring Elizabeth Moss. Because of his various works exploring futuristic themes, Wells is regarded as one of the ‘Fathers of Science Fiction.’ (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Shooting stars tear across the night sky, then a gigantic artificial cylinder descends from Mars to land near London. Inquisitive locals gather round, only to be struck down by a murderous Heat-Ray. Giant destructive machines disgorge from the cylinder, destroying everything in their path on a merciless march towards the capital. Can humanity survive this Martian onslaught? A gripping adventure written in semi-documentary style, The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells is the seminal man versus machine adventure which has inspired countless science fiction stories and novels. This Macmillan Collector's Library edition of The War of the Worlds contains an introduction by author James P. Blaylock.Designed to appeal to the booklover, the Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautiful gift editions of much loved classic titles. Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

When a cylinder from Mars lands not far from London, crowds of people arrive. Curiosity turns to terror as Martians appear. Their technology is far more advanced than humans and their heat-ray weapon kills instantly. One man, looking for his wife, understands that this invasion could mean the end of human civilisation and the beginning of Martian rule. Dossiers:H. G. Wells; The Planet Mars; Orson Welles radio dramatisation of The War of the Worlds; Cinema: The War of the Worlds (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Two scientists develop a foodstuff that causes unparalleled growth in animals and humans. The results of their experimentation lead to chaos and unforseen consequences throughout the land.THE FOOD OF THE GODS deals with many issues which are still present in science today and is a both witty and disturbing tale. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

When an army of invading Martians lands in England, panic and terror seize the population. As the aliens traverse the country in huge three-legged machines, incinerating all in their path with a heat ray and spreading noxious toxic gases, the people of the Earth must come to terms with the prospect of the end of human civilization and the beginning of Martian rule. Inspiring films, radio dramas, comic-book adaptations, television series and sequels, The War of the Worlds is a prototypical work of science fiction which has influenced every alien story that has come since, and is unsurpassed in its ability to thrill, well over a century since it was first published. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

The Time Traveller visits the year 802,701. The people seem to live peacefully with nothing to do but eat fruit, gather flowers and play. But what is the hidden secret of this world? What happens on the darkest night? In one of the greatest science fiction novels, H.G. Wells explores the future of the human race. Dossiers: A short history of science fiction Is time travel possible? Cinema (knihydobrovsky.cz)

A Victorian scientist and inventor creates a machine for propelling himself through time, and voyages to the year AD 802701, where he discovers a race of humanoids called the Eloi. Their gently indolent way of life, set in a decaying cityscape, leads the scientist to believe that they are the remnants of a once great civilization. He is forced to revise this assessment when he comes across the cave dwellings of threatening ape-like creatures known as Morlocks, whose dark underground world he must explore to discover the terrible secrets of this fractured society, and the means of getting back to his own time.A biting critique of class and social equality as well as an innovative and much imitated piece of science fiction which introduced the idea of time travel into the popular consciousness, The Time Machine is a profound and extraordinarily prescient novel. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

H. G. Wells skilfully combines tension, wit and terror in The Invisible Man, a masterpiece of science fiction.Complete & Unabridged. Part of the Macmillan Collector's Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover.A mysterious stranger arrives at a rural Sussex inn on a cold winter's night with his face obscured by bandages and his body cloaked in a long, heavy coat. He locks himself in his room and spends his stay labouring over chemicals in intricate glass bottles. The villagers, bewildered by what lurks under the bandages, could never be prepared for the terrible truth: that the man is a scientist who has rendered himself invisible and is desperately struggling to find an antidote. He flees to the rugged, cliff-lined coast where, pursued by police and an angry mob, he is intent on murderous revenge. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

H.G. Wells' great novel of the dangers of science describes a man cast out from society by his own terrifying discovery.THE INVISIBLE MAN tells the story of Griffin, a brilliant and obsessed scientist dedicated to achieving invisibility. Taking whatever action is necessary to keep his incredible discovery safe, he terrorises the local village where he has sought refuge. Wells skilfully weaves the themes of science, terror and pride as the invisible Griffin gradually loses his sanity and, ultimately, his humanity. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

In The Time Machine by H. G. Wells - a hugely influential, groundbreaking work of science fiction - a brilliant scientist constructs a machine, which, with the pull of a lever, propels him to the year AD 802,701. The Time Traveller finds himself in a verdant, seemingly idyllic landscape where he is greeted by the diminutive Eloi people. The Eloi are beautiful but weak and indolent, and the explorer is perplexed by their fear of the dark. He soon discovers the reason for their fear - the Eloi are not the only race to have inherited the earth. When his time machine disappears, the Time Traveller must descend alone into the subterranean tunnels of the Morlocks - a terrifying, carnivorous people who toil in darkness - to reclaim it.This beautiful Macmillan Collector's Library edition of The Time Machine features an introduction by Dr Mark Bould.Designed to appeal to the booklover, the Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautiful gift editions of much loved classic titles. Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Written just eight years before the Wright brothers made their first powered flight, ‘The Argonauts of the Air’ follows the fortunes of eccentric millionaire, Monson. Monson is determined to build the world’s first flying machine. However, with his fortune dwindling and time against him, will he be successful in his mission? Another example of Wells’ extraordinary prescience, ‘The Argonauts of the Air’ is a thought-provoking and taut read, and possibly the only book to put London’s Worcester Park on the literary map. H.G. Wells (1866 – 1946) was a prolific writer and the author of more than 50 novels. Additionally, he wrote more than 60 short stories, alongside various scientific papers. Many of his most famous works have been adapted for film and television, including ‘The Time Machine,’ starring Guy Pearce, ‘War of the Worlds,’ starring Tom Cruise, and ‘The Invisible Man,’ starring Elizabeth Moss. Because of his various works exploring futuristic themes, Wells is regarded as one of the ‘Fathers of Science Fiction. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: \'The Apple\' is a fantasy-mystery short story by H.G. Wells. It is the tale of a student who, whilst travelling by train in a third-class carriage, is offered genuine, forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. This rare treasure was apparently found in the Garden of Eden by a stranger. But how on Earth did the stranger come into possession of the fruit and what use is it to the young student? A mysterious and intriguing tale which will be enjoyed by fans of \'Good Omens\'. H.G. Wells (1866 – 1946) was a prolific writer and the author of more than 50 novels. Additionally, he wrote more than 60 short stories, alongside various scientific papers. Many of his most famous works have been adapted for film and television, including ‘The Time Machine,’ starring Guy Pearce, ‘War of the Worlds,’ starring Tom Cruise, and ‘The Invisible Man,’ starring Elizabeth Moss. Because of his various works exploring futuristic themes, Wells is regarded as one of the ‘Fathers of Science Fiction.’ (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Brought together for the first time in this new Wordsworth edition, The Invisible Man and The Food of the Gods are two of Wells's most entertaining and thought-provoking works. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: The Flowering of the Strange Orchid is a short story by H. G. Wells. Herbert George \"H. G.\" Wells (21 September 1866 - 13 August 1946) was an English writer, now best known for his work in the science fiction genre. He was also a prolific writer in many other genres, including contemporary novels, history, politics and social commentary, even writing textbooks and rules for war games. Wells is sometimes called \"The Father of Science Fiction\", as are Jules Verne and Hugo Gernsback. His most notable science fiction works include The War of the Worlds, The Time Machine, The Invisible Man and The Island of Doctor Moreau. Wells\'s earliest specialised training was in biology, and his thinking on ethical matters took place in a specifically and fundamentally Darwinian context. He was also from an early date an outspoken socialist, often (but not always, as at the beginning of the First World War) sympathising with pacifist views. His later works became increasingly political and didactic, and he sometimes indicated on official documents that his profession was that of \"Journalist.\" Most of his later novels were not science fiction. Some described lower-middle class life (Kipps; The History of Mr Polly), leading him to be touted as a worthy successor to Charles Dickens, but Wells described a range of social strata and even attempted, in Tono-Bungay (1909), a diagnosis of English society as a whole. Wells\'s first non-fiction bestseller was Anticipations of the Reaction of Mechanical and Scientific Progress Upon Human Life and Thought (1901). When originally serialised in a magazine it was subtitled, \"An Experiment in Prophecy\", and is considered his most explicitly futuristic work. It offered the immediate political message of the privileged sections of society continuing to bar capable men from other classes from advancement until war would force a need to employ those most able, rather than the traditional upper classes, as leaders. Anticipating what the world would be like in the year 2000, the book is interesting both for its hits (trains and cars resulting in the dispersion of population from cities to suburbs; moral restrictions declining as men and women seek greater sexual freedom; the defeat of German militarism, and the existence of a European Union) and its misses (he did not expect successful aircraft before 1950, and averred that \"my imagination refuses to see any sort of submarine doing anything but suffocate its crew and founder at sea\"). (knihydobrovsky.cz)

HarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics."That these man-like creatures were in truth only bestial monsters, mere grotesque travesties of men, filled me with a vague uncertainty of their possibilities far worse than any definite fear."Edward Prendick, the sole survivor of a shipwreck in the South Pacific, is set ashore on an island where he meets the mysterious Doctor Moreau. Horrified by the discovery that Moreau is performing vivisection on animals to form monstrous human hybrids, Prendick flees into the jungle. But he soon realises that the island is populated with Moreau's terrible creations, and not all are divested of their savage habits . . .H. G. Wells pioneered ideas of society, science and progress in his works, which are now considered modern classics. Written in 1896, The Island of Doctor Moreau is an imaginative exploration of the nature of cruelty and what it means to be human. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Who is Egbert Craddock Cummins? And why is he changing?\'The Obliterated Man\' tells the tale of a shy young man, Egbert Craddock Cummins, who reluctantly takes on the role of a theatre critic and as a result, somehow takes on the mannerisms and over-acting he sees displayed on stage.The short story by the \"father of science fiction\", H.G. Wells, was first published in \'New Budget\' in 1895 under the title \'The Sad Story of a Dramatic Critic\', it was later included in Wells\' short story collections \'The Plattner Story and Others\' and \'The Country of the Blind and Other Stories\'. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: The Purple Pileus is a short story by H. G. Wells. Herbert George \"H. G.\" Wells (21 September 1866 - 13 August 1946) was an English writer, now best known for his work in the science fiction genre. He was also a prolific writer in many other genres, including contemporary novels, history, politics and social commentary, even writing textbooks and rules for war games. Wells is sometimes called \"The Father of Science Fiction\", as are Jules Verne and Hugo Gernsback. His most notable science fiction works include The War of the Worlds, The Time Machine, The Invisible Man and The Island of Doctor Moreau. Wells\'s earliest specialised training was in biology, and his thinking on ethical matters took place in a specifically and fundamentally Darwinian context. He was also from an early date an outspoken socialist, often (but not always, as at the beginning of the First World War) sympathising with pacifist views. His later works became increasingly political and didactic, and he sometimes indicated on official documents that his profession was that of \"Journalist.\" Most of his later novels were not science fiction. Some described lower-middle class life (Kipps; The History of Mr Polly), leading him to be touted as a worthy successor to Charles Dickens, but Wells described a range of social strata and even attempted, in Tono-Bungay (1909), a diagnosis of English society as a whole. Wells\'s first non-fiction bestseller was Anticipations of the Reaction of Mechanical and Scientific Progress Upon Human Life and Thought (1901). When originally serialised in a magazine it was subtitled, \"An Experiment in Prophecy\", and is considered his most explicitly futuristic work. It offered the immediate political message of the privileged sections of society continuing to bar capable men from other classes from advancement until war would force a need to employ those most able, rather than the traditional upper classes, as leaders. Anticipating what the world would be like in the year 2000, the book is interesting both for its hits (trains and cars resulting in the dispersion of population from cities to suburbs; moral restrictions declining as men and women seek greater sexual freedom; the defeat of German militarism, and the existence of a European Union) and its misses (he did not expect successful aircraft before 1950, and averred that \"my imagination refuses to see any sort of submarine doing anything but suffocate its crew and founder at sea\"). (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: From the author of the science fiction classic, \'The War of the Worlds\', H.G. Wells\' \'The Lost Inheritance\' is a supernatural, suspense novella. In this short story, a young man\'s sole purpose in life is to persuade his rich and eccentric uncle to leave him his vast fortune. Although, when the elderly man finally passes, there is no will to be found... Greed, money, and family dynamics lead this comic tragedy tale, an early literary prototype for shows like HBO\'s \'Succession\'. H.G. Wells (1866 – 1946) was a prolific writer and the author of more than 50 novels. In addition, he wrote more than 60 short stories, alongside various scientific papers. Many of his most famous works have been adapted for film and television, including ‘The Time Machine,’ starring Guy Pearce, ‘War of the Worlds,’ starring Tom Cruise, and ‘The Invisible Man,’ starring Elizabeth Moss. Because of his various works exploring futuristic themes, Wells is regarded as one of the ‘Fathers of Science Fiction.’ (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Freedom. A quality valued by many, and which is never restricted without consequence. Can a mother’s guidance ever be too much? One beautiful suit could be all it takes to break a family apart. Protection becomes a shell, a place to hide from reality, but also a prison. There is always a breaking point, and this breaking point takes the form of one piece of tissue paper. Is freedom the danger, or was the danger created by mother’s constraint? ‘The Beautiful Suit’ is an exploration of society’s norms, and whether people’s behaviour determine them, or the norms determine people’s behaviour. Though it was first published in 1909, its themes and questions still ring true in today’s society. H. G. Wells (1866-1946) was a writer most well-known for science fiction titles such as \'War of the Worlds\' and \'The Time Machine.\' In many ways he is often considered to be a pioneer in the science fiction genre, though he also wrote short fiction, satire, social commentaries, biography and autobiography. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature on four occasions. In addition to writing, he was a teacher, historian and artist. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: From the \"father of science fiction\", H.G. Wells, comes a tale of a near-death experience. In H.G. Wells\' short story \'Under the Knife\', the narrator undergoes an operation during which Dr Haddon administers an anaesthetic. While under, the patient journeys into space and discovers that the universe is merely a speck of light reflected on a ring, worn on God\'s hand. A thought-provoking exploration of the afterlife, the universe, and the unconscious mind, H.G. Wells\' novella \'Under the knife\' will be enjoyed by fans of the Matrix films.- (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Adapted into episode one of the TV mini-series, The Nightmare Worlds of H.G. Wells – starring Ray Winstone and Michael Gambon – The Story of the Late Mr. Elvesham is a short story by H.G. Wells. A young, poverty-stricken man called Edward Eden meets a strange older gentleman, Egbert Elvesham, who declares that he would like Eden to be his sole heir. At the end of a meal together, Elvesham pours a strange pink powder into their drinks and the following day, Edward Eden wakes to find himself in Elvesham\'s body in a \'Freaky Friday\' body-swapping scenario. Eden is destined for more than he signed up for in this fantasy, horror story. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Audiokniha:,Jak se stát neviditelným? A jaká úskalí tento zdánlivě úžasný stav s sebou nese? Poslechnete si napínavý příběh o mladém vědci a studujte přitom angličtinu! Poté, co mladý přírodovědec Griffin objeví klíč k neviditelnosti a provede úspěšný pokus na sobě, již není schopen výsledek zvrátit. Brzy zjistí, jaké výhody a hlavně nevýhody má trvalá neviditelnost a s ní spojená existence ve společnosti. Podaří se mu zachovat lidskou tvář? K čemu ho jeho neuvěřitelný experiment přivede? Příběh v angličtině je určen pro začátečníky, kteří si chtějí vyzkoušet, jak si poradí se souvislým textem v angličtině. Audioknihu namluvil rodilý mluvčí. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: First published in \'The Strand Magazine\' in 1925, \'The Pearl of Love\' by H.G. Wells is an allegorical tale of love, devotion, and loss.Inspired by ancient Persian literature, this short story tells the fable of a bereaved Indian prince whose beloved wife dies young. Much in the same way as Shah Jahan (the fifth Mughal emperor of India) built the Taj Mahal as a shrine to his late wife, the prince in this story devotes his life to building the perfect memorial to his lost love but, as in many tales of romance, there\'s a cruel twist that pulls at his heart. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: The Jilting of Jane is a short story by H. G. Wells. Herbert George \"H. G.\" Wells (21 September 1866 - 13 August 1946) was an English writer, now best known for his work in the science fiction genre. He was also a prolific writer in many other genres, including contemporary novels, history, politics and social commentary, even writing textbooks and rules for war games. Wells is sometimes called \"The Father of Science Fiction\", as are Jules Verne and Hugo Gernsback. His most notable science fiction works include The War of the Worlds, The Time Machine, The Invisible Man and The Island of Doctor Moreau. Wells\'s earliest specialised training was in biology, and his thinking on ethical matters took place in a specifically and fundamentally Darwinian context. He was also from an early date an outspoken socialist, often (but not always, as at the beginning of the First World War) sympathising with pacifist views. His later works became increasingly political and didactic, and he sometimes indicated on official documents that his profession was that of \"Journalist.\" Most of his later novels were not science fiction. Some described lower-middle class life (Kipps; The History of Mr Polly), leading him to be touted as a worthy successor to Charles Dickens, but Wells described a range of social strata and even attempted, in Tono-Bungay (1909), a diagnosis of English society as a whole. Wells\'s first non-fiction bestseller was Anticipations of the Reaction of Mechanical and Scientific Progress Upon Human Life and Thought (1901). When originally serialised in a magazine it was subtitled, \"An Experiment in Prophecy\", and is considered his most explicitly futuristic work. It offered the immediate political message of the privileged sections of society continuing to bar capable men from other classes from advancement until war would force a need to employ those most able, rather than the traditional upper classes, as leaders. Anticipating what the world would be like in the year 2000, the book is interesting both for its hits (trains and cars resulting in the dispersion of population from cities to suburbs; moral restrictions declining as men and women seek greater sexual freedom; the defeat of German militarism, and the existence of a European Union) and its misses (he did not expect successful aircraft before 1950, and averred that \"my imagination refuses to see any sort of s (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Who would have known that \"the father of Science Fiction\" also wrote satire about stuffed animals? H.G. Wells\' short story \'The Triumphs of a Taxidermist\' was first published anonymously in 1894 and reprinted in \'The Stolen Bacillus and Other Incidents\' a year later. \'The Triumphs of a Taxidermist\' sees the character Bellows visit a friend, the titular Taxidermist, who enthusiastically recounts tales of forgery, crime, and far-fetched claims to fame from his career in this humorous and satirical look at English culture. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Should he confess all and face the consequences or should he keep his secret forever?\'A Slip Under the Microscope\' is one of H.G. Wells\' best-loved short stories, detailing the dilemma faced by the central character, Hill. During a botany exam, Hill inadvertently \'cheats\' when he moves a microscope slide and is forced to choose between coming clean or staying quiet. This tale is a fascinating dissection of the themes of honesty and ethical behaviour. With certain autobiographical elements to the story, \'A Slip Under the Microscope\' gives us a brief insight into the mind of one of the greatest authors of all time. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

This handsome box set brings together the most celebrated works of H.G. Wells, presented in five paperback volumes with striking contemporary cover designs. H.G. Wells was a pioneer of the science fiction genre and a man of boundless imagination. Whether describing marvelous new technologies, the vagaries of space flight or the risks of scientific development, his writings have continually captivated readers across the globe. Complete and unabridged, each of these stories marries exciting adventure with a poignant probing of scientific progress and its dangers - a signature combination of H.G. Wells which marks him as a true master of science-fiction. Contains: • The War of the Worlds • The Time Machine & Other Stories • The Invisible Man • The Island of Doctor Moreau • First Men in the Moon This handsome boxed set with graphic cover designs makes the perfect gift or collectable for science fiction lover. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Classic Collections series features delightful, high-quality paperback box sets of classic works of literature with striking contemporary cover designs. About the Author H.G. Wells was a prolific writer born in Kent in 1866. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature no fewer than four times. He was passionate about politics as well as literature and his output included several nonfiction pieces to go with his array of short stories and novels. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Mr Barnstaple was ever such a careful driver, careful to indicate before every manoeuvre and very much in favour of slowing down at the slightest hint of difficulty. So however could he have got the car into a skid on a bend on the Maidenhead road? When he recovered himself he was more than a little relieved to see the two cars that he had been following still merrily motoring along in front of him. It seemed that all was well -- except that the scenery had changed, rather a lot. It was then that the awful truth dawned: Mr Barnstaple had been hurled into another world altogether. How would he ever survive in this supposed Utopia and, more importantly, how would he ever get back? (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Válka světů je prvním dílem sci-fi žánru, které představuje mimozemšťany jako technologicky mnohem vyspělejší civilizaci, což pro sebejistý lidský druh znamená varování. Vetřelci z Marsu zaujímají vůči lidem stejné postoje jako mnohé koloniální mocnosti té doby k obyvatelům kolonií. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Poutník v čase je vědec zabývající se hledáním čtvrté dimenze v prostoru. Vynalezne neuvěřitelný stroj, který ho přenese do daleké budoucnosti. Nachází tam zcela bezbrannou kulturu a seznamuje se s krásnou dívkou. Jenže přichází noc a všem hrozí nebezpečí. Vrátí se poutník ještě někdy zpět? (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Slavný sci-fi román, známý také z moderního filmového zpracování S. Spielberga. Anglie na sklonku 19. století. Obyvatelé Země, zaslepení pýchou na vyspělost své civilizace, netuší, že deset krátkých vzdálených záblesků kdesi na planetce Mars znamená dosud největší ohrožení lidstva v jeho dějinách. Deset dutých kovových válců s nezvanými návštěvníky z kosmu dopadá postupně poblíž Londýna a začíná válka o vládu ve vesmíru. Početní převaha Pozemšťanů s jejich těžkopádnými bojovými mechanismy se ukáže být nicotným argumentem ve srovnání se zkázonosnými bojovými metodami Marťanů. Ale ani Marťané nejsou nezranitelní. Podaří se Pozemšťanům odkrýt slabé místo protivníků? Zvítězí lidská disciplína, organizace a tradiční morální hodnoty nad mnohonásobně vyspělejší marťanskou technikou a chladnou inteligencí? (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Predstavte si, že existuje planéta, kdesi ďaleko za Síriusom , ktorá je identickou kópiou Zeme s rovnakou geografiou, kde všetci obyvatelia Zeme existujú duplicitne, avšak disponujú inými5Tradíciami, znalosťami, oblečením, spotrebičmi a podobne. Na takejto planéte žije naša lepšia. dokonalejšia kópia. Poriadok dobrovoľného šľachtického rádu tzv. samurajov ako vláda Svetového štátu, ktorá je dynamická, nestatická, s cieľom vyriešiť otázky pokroku a politickej stability – taká je v stručnosti Moderná Utópia (1905) viktoriánskeho sci-fi vizionára H.G.Wellsa, autora dnes už legendárnych ( a neraz aj mimoriadne úspešne sfilmovaných) diel ako Stroj času (1895), Ostrov doktora Moreaua (1986), Neviditeľný muž (1897) či vojna svetov (1898). Autor- futurista, Shakespeare sci-fi žánru, vizionársky predvídal celý rad vynálezov, napr. nástup lietadiel a tankov, cestovanie do vesmíru, jadrové zbrane, satelitné televízie, náznak webovej siete , laser, stroj času, neviditeľnosť, biologické inžinierstvo – vivisekciu, mimozemskú inváziu – teda motívy, ktoré sa neskôr stali súčasťou žánru sci-fi knihách a filmoch, ale mnohé aj súčasťou reality. Predpovedal sexuálnu revolúciu, svetovú vojnu aj nebezpečenstvo rasových teórií. Možno ho zaradiť medzi najväčších sci-fi vizionárov a utopistov. Projektoval utópie aj dystópie, ukázal tak nádeje, ako aj sklamania, ktoré priniesli a môžu priniesť technológie. Poučí sa ľudstvo z Welsových varovaní? (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Co se stane s civilizací napadenou jedovatými mravenci? Jak lze během jednoho dne vystoupat na alpský štít a bezpečně se dostat zase zpět do hotelu? Co se ukrývá za tajemnými dveřmi ve zdi anebo v rádžově trezoru? Tak rozmanité otázky si ve svých fantastických, dobrodružných anebo čistě humoristických prózách klade anglický spisovatel H. G. Wells ve třetím, závěrečném svazku sebraných povídek, představujícím autorovu pozdější, vyzrálou tvorbu i méně známé texty vycházející ve své době pouze časopisecky. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Ostrov doktora Moreaua je jeden z prvých románov dnes už klasického anglického autora žánru vedecko-fantastickej literatúry Herberta Georgea Wellsa. Román podáva príbeh stroskotanca Prendicka, ktorého pred istou smrťou zachráni čln doktora Moreaua. Hoci román patrí medzi rané diela tohto klasika sci-fi literatúry, nesie významné morálne a filozofické posolstvo. Predovšetkým preto, že skúma hranice medzi morálnym a nemorálnym konaním človeka. Doktor Moreau sa utiahne na pustý ostrov, aby robil pokusy na zvieratách, pri ktorých ich nevýslovne mučí, ale svoje konanie ospravedlňuje vyšším záujmom - záujmom vedeckého poznania. Takýmto počínaním sa stáva pre svoje skonštruované stvorenia akýmsi "Bohom", čo otvára pole premýšľaniu nad vzťahom moci a jej správneho používania či zneužívania. V neposlednom rade sa otvára analógia so súčasnosťou, keď v rámci genetického inžinierstva a klonovania existuje reálna možnosť robiť obdobné pokusy, hoci v inom zmysle, než ako zamýšľal Wells. Aj to nastavuje určité kritické zrkadlo súčasnej civilizácii a vede ako inštitúcii, aby si ľudstvo určilo hranice medzi "normálnym" vedeckým skúmaním a takým, kde by sa nové poznatky mohli zneužiť alebo vymknúť spod kontroly vedcov. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Herbert George Wells, anglický prozaik konca 19. a prvej polovice 20. storočia, bol autor obľúbených science-fiction románov a viacerých náučno-populárnych kníh pre širokú verejnosť, ktorý sa vyjadroval k mnohým aktuálnym politickým témam. Medzi jeho najvýznamnejšie diela patria romány Vojna svetov. Stroj času, Neviditeľný a iné. Po prvej svetovej vojne napísal monumentálne trojzväzkové dejiny Náčrt histórie sveta v rozsahu 1 324 strán, z ktorých vytvoril kratšiu verziu pod názvom Stručné dejiny sveta. Tie vyšli roku 1922 a predstavujú podrobný a detailný opis fyzického, duchovného a intelektuálneho vývinu ľudstva a zaznamenávajú kľúčové udalosti celej histórie sveta. Týmto svojím úžasným myšlienkovým počinom osvetľuje kontinuitu dejín a provokuje čitateľov, aby rozmýšľali o dôsledkoch budúceho vývinu spoločnosti založenom na vtedajšom vedeckom a intelektuálnom poznaní. Jeho dejiny poskytujú ucelený prehľad o jednotlivých obdobiach histórie a o najvýznamnejších udalostiach takmer encyklopedickým spôsobom, ale napriek tomu si uchováva svojský pohľad anglického prozaika a ľavicového intelektuála, ktorý chcel prispieť k svetovému pokroku a ktorého vízie budúcnosti ovplyvňovali myšlienkovú klímu tej doby. Ponúkané dielo je preto vhodné nielen pre mladú generáciu, pre študentov stredných a vysokých škôl, ale bude určite vítaným doplnkom knižníc, prekladateľov, redaktorov, novinárov a ďalších profesionálov, zaoberajúcich sa históriou i literatúrou. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Audiokniha:,Lidstvo je postaveno před rozhodující bitvu o svou holou existenci! Na Zemi přistávají záhadní mimozemšťané a lidstvo je postaveno před rozhodující bitvu o svou holou existenci! Příběh odehrávající se v Anglii na konci 19. století barvitě líčí invazi Marťanů na Zemi a popisuje bezmocnost pozemšťanů, neschopných boje s vyspělou marťanskou technikou. Kruté bytosti z vesmíru v pravidelných intervalech ničí všechno živé a do myslí pozemšťanů se vkrádá beznaděj nad neutěšeným stavem. Jak to všechno dopadne? A mají Marťané nějakou slabinu? Existuje na Zemi něco, s čím při plánování invaze nepočítali?!? Byť tento vědeckofantastický román poprvé vyšel už v roce 1898, dodnes fascinuje čtenáře po celém světě svým realistickým popisem invaze mimozemšťanů z Marsu do Anglie. Je skoro neuvěřitelné, jak autor na konci 19. století dokázal předvídat, poutavě vyfabulovat a popsat technické vymoženosti jiné civilizace. Pro svou nesmírnou popularitu byl příběh několikrát zfilmován, nejnověji v roce 2005 Stevenem Spielbergem. Rozhlasová adaptace Orsona Wellese z roku 1938 způsobila dokonce skandál a je považována za první a nejznámější hoax. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Audiokniha: Příběh odehrávající se v Anglii na konci 19. století barvitě líčí invazi Marťanů na Zemi a popisuje bezmocnost pozemšťanů, neschopných boje s vyspělou marťanskou technikou. Kruté bytosti z vesmíru v pravidelných intervalech ničí všechno živé a do myslí pozemšťanů se vkrádá beznaděj nad neutěšeným stavem. Jak to všechno dopadne? A mají Marťané nějakou slabinu? Existuje na Zemi něco, s čím při plánování invaze nepočítali?!? Byť tento vědeckofantastický román poprvé vyšel už v roce 1898, dodnes fascinuje čtenáře po celém světě svým realistickým popisem invaze mimozemšťanů z Marsu do Anglie. Je skoro neuvěřitelné, jak autor na konci 19. století dokázal předvídat, poutavě vyfabulovat a popsat technické vymoženosti jiné civilizace. Pro svou nesmírnou popularitu byl příběh několikrát zfilmován, nejnověji v roce 2005 Stevenem Spielbergem. Rozhlasová adaptace Orsona Wellese z roku 1938 způsobila dokonce skandál a je považována za první a nejznámější hoax. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Audiokniha: Existuje čtvrtá dimenze? Jeden z nejpůsobivějších a nejvlivnějších románů sci-fi, jaké byly kdy napsány o putování v čase a prostoru od kultovního autora sci-fi H. G. Wellse. Stroj času je dílo, které předběhlo svou dobu a ovlivnilo celý jeden literární žánr. Wellsův román nebyl několik desetiletí v češtině publikován, nejspíš pro podobnosti ani zdaleka ne náhodné. Poslechněte si příběh Poutníka, který vynalezl stroj času. Jednoho dne se při práci přenese do světa roku 802 701. První věc, kterou uvidí v hluboké tmě je zářící okřídlená sfinga. Ona je klíčem k jeho minulosti i přítomnosti. Brzy nato zjistí, že lidstvo této doby se dělí na dva typy osobností. Jedni jsou Eloiové, žijí na zemi a bojí se šera. Ti druzí jsou Morloci, procházejí tmou a žijí v podzemí. Hlavní hrdina Poutník potká Weenu, která se mu snaží v tomto světě pomoci, bohužel Morloci ukradli stroj času a Poutník se s nimi musí utkat v boji na život a na smrt. Vyhraje? A jakou cenu za to zaplatí? (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Jeden z nejpůsobivějších románů sci-fi. Tohle je moment, kdy se začalo odvíjet klubko podivuhodných událostí: slavnostní večeře v domě bohatého vynálezce posedlého svými výzkumy. V těch chvílích spatří světlo světa fantaskně romantický, místy děsivý, úžasný a strnulým rozumem neproniknutelný vynálezcův příběh – neuvěřitelné dobrodružství novodobého Gullivera odehrávající se v buducnosti vzdálené statisíce let. Ale nejen to: zároveň se zrodí první kniha popularizující pojem cestování v čase, a také jedna z prvních knížek přinášejících fanouškům beletrie žánr sci-fi. Když vynálezce zabrzdí svůj stroj v Londýně na prahu 8028. století, bohužel ho nevítá krásný nový svět hemžící se nevídanými výdobytky vědy i techniky a prodchnutý všeobjímajícím humanismem. Z všemocného lidstva, jež si slibovalo „zlatý věk“, zbyly jen roztříštěné houfy človíčků tělesně i duševně připomínajících děti, které se v polorozpadlých zříceninách děsí tmy a každého šramotu v ní… Jde dodnes o jeden z nejpůsobivějších a nejvlivnějších románů sci-fi, jaké byly kdy napsány, román zároveň napojený na vývojovou linii varovně pochmurných utopických děl, jež zachycují lidstvo, Zemi a dokonce snad celý vesmír ve stavu pokročilého úpadku a návratu k primitivnímu způsobu života. Kudy se vydáme, aby k tomuhle vývoji nedošlo? (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook:,Anglie na sklonku 19. století. Obyvatelé Země, zaslepení pýchou na vyspělost své civilizace, netuší, že deset krátkých vzdálených záblesků kdesi na planetce Mars znamená dosud největší ohrožení lidstva v jeho dějinách. Deset dutých kovových válců s nezvanými návštěvníky z kosmu dopadá postupně poblíž Londýna a začíná válka o vládu ve vesmíru. Početní převaha Pozemšťanů s jejich těžkopádnými bojovými mechanismy se ukáže být nicotným argumentem ve srovnání se zkázonosnými bojovými metodami Marťanů. Ale ani Marťané nejsou nezranitelní. Podaří se Pozemšťanům odkrýt slabé místo protivníků? Zvítězí lidská disciplína, organizace a tradiční morální hodnoty nad mnohonásobně vyspělejší marťanskou technikou a chladnou inteligencí? (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Audiokniha: Zvíře v člověku – člověk ve zvířeti. Jeden z prvních románů dnes už klasického žánru vědecko - fantastické literatury varuje před důsledky experimentů se zvířaty a před zneužitím vědy. Vědecko - fantastický román s prvky hororu nese významné morální a filozofické poselství. Kde jsou hranice mezi morálním a nemorálním jednáním člověka? Na opuštěném ostrově kdesi v Pacifiku „šílený vědec“ doktor Moreau provádí ďábelské genetické pokusy na zvířatech, které díky svým vědomostem dokáže měnit v poloviční lidi. Mladý námořník Andrew Braddock, se snaží s doktorovou schovankou Marií pomoci ubožákům uprchnout. Téma je vysoce aktuální i v dnešní době genetického inženýrství a klonování. Varuje před nejasnou hranicí mezi etickým vědeckým zkoumáním a vědou, která může nové poznatky zneužít nebo se vědcům zcela vymknout z kontroly. Nemohli jsme nezařadit do naší audioknižní edice DOBRODRUH. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Aepyornis Island is a short story by H. G. Wells.Herbert George \"H. G.\" Wells (21 September 1866 - 13 August 1946) was an English writer, now best known for his work in the science fiction genre. He was also a prolific writer in many other genres, including contemporary novels, history, politics and social commentary, even writing textbooks and rules for war games. Wells is sometimes called \"The Father of Science Fiction\", as are Jules Verne and Hugo Gernsback. His most notable science fiction works include The War of the Worlds, The Time Machine, The Invisible Man and The Island of Doctor Moreau.Wells\'s earliest specialised training was in biology, and his thinking on ethical matters took place in a specifically and fundamentally Darwinian context. He was also from an early date an outspoken socialist, often (but not always, as at the beginning of the First World War) sympathising with pacifist views. His later works became increasingly political and didactic, and he sometimes indicated on official documents that his profession was that of \"Journalist.\" Most of his later novels were not science fiction. Some described lower-middle class life (Kipps; The History of Mr Polly), leading him to be touted as a worthy successor to Charles Dickens, but Wells described a range of social strata and even attempted, in Tono-Bungay (1909), a diagnosis of English society as a whole.Wells\'s first non-fiction bestseller was Anticipations of the Reaction of Mechanical and Scientific Progress Upon Human Life and Thought (1901). When originally serialised in a magazine it was subtitled, \"An Experiment in Prophecy\", and is considered his most explicitly futuristic work. It offered the immediate political message of the privileged sections of society continuing to bar capable men from other classes from advancement until war would force a need to employ those most able, rather than the traditional upper classes, as leaders. Anticipating what the world would be like in the year 2000, the book is interesting both for its hits (trains and cars resulting in the dispersion of population from cities to suburbs; moral restrictions declining as men and women seek greater sexual freedom; the defeat of German militarism, and the existence of a European Union) and its misses (he did not expect successful aircraft before 1950, and averred that \"my imagination refuses to see any sort of submarine doing anything but suffocate its crew and founder at sea\"). (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: H.G. Wells\'s short story, \'A Catastrophe\' was published alongside many of his other works in \'The Plattner Story and Others\'. This novella is a poignant tale of a cloth merchant, named Winslow, whose business is on the brink of bankrupcy; his competitor Bandersnatch undercuts his prices and he still owes his investors – Helter, Skelter and Grab – money. His fortunes change, however, when the titular catastrophe strikes the family just in time to stop complete financial ruin. H.G. Wells (1866 – 1946) was a prolific writer and the author of more than 50 novels. Additionally, he wrote more than 60 short stories, alongside various scientific papers. Many of his most famous works have been adapted for film and television, including ‘The Time Machine,’ starring Guy Pearce, ‘War of the Worlds,’ starring Tom Cruise, and ‘The Invisible Man,’ starring Elizabeth Moss. Because of his various works exploring futuristic themes, Wells is regarded as one of the ‘Fathers of Science Fiction.’ (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Klasická fantastika svou vizuální přitažlivostí vysloveně vybízí ke komiksovým adaptacím, které jsou čím dál častější a úspěšnější. Francouzští komiksoví tvůrci se tentokrát pustili do stále oblíbených románů H. G. Wellse. V prvním svazku vám nabízíme adaptace dvou z jeho nejslavnějších románů: Války světů a Stroje času. Kreslíři se v tomto wellsovském cyklu střídají. Zachycením Války světů byl pověřen španělský malíř Vicente Cifuentes, narozený roku 1979 v Albacete. Kreslí už odmala a po úspěšné kariéře v rodné zemi získal i výtvarné zakázky z Francie. Na Stroji času zase vyrazil Mathieu Moreau, narozený v roce 1988 v Limoges, autor úspěšného cyklu Nibiru. Scénář wellsovských komiksů si vzal na starost scenárista píšící pod pseudonymem Dobbs. Vlastním jménem Olivier Dobremel. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: In the months following his wife’s death, Mr. Preemby, a retired laundryman, becomes convinced that he is the incarnation of Sargon, the ancient king of Sumeria, returned to save a world upturned by World War I. Trying to make sense of Mr. Preemby is his stepdaughter, Christina Alberta. A masterclass in comic invention, Christina Alberta’s Father depicts characters who long for something to believe in, just so long as it is not \"some horrible Utopia by Wells,\" but whose attempts to change the world are always doomed to disappointment. Whether taken as a social satire, a psychological study or a critique of Wells’s own beliefs and relationships, this book makes for a fascinating and delightful read. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: A man is awoken in his grave by the sound of trumpets on judgment day. As the first souls come before God and Archangel Gabriel for the last judgment, the man soon discovers that judgement day is not quite how he imagined. God and Archangel Gabriel laugh at saints and sinners alike until they are so embarrassed that they flee \"up the sleeve of God\" where they are enlightened, given new bodies and a second chance. When God shakes them from his sleeve they land on a foreign planet and humanity is instructed to \"try again\" with their newfound understanding. This science-fiction fantasy take on a religious parable is written by the author of the science fiction classic \'The War of the Worlds\', H.G. Wells. \'A Vision of Judgment\' is a satirical short story that could easily be a precursor to comedy-drama \'The Good Place\' or animated film \'Soul\'. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Tohle je moment, kdy se začalo odvíjet klubko podivuhodných událostí: slavnostní večeře v domě bohatého vynálezce posedlého svými výzkumy. V těch chvílích spatří světlo světa fantaskně romantický, místy děsivý, úžasný a strnulým rozumem neproniknutelný vynálezcův příběh – neuvěřitelné dobrodružství novodobého Gullivera odehrávající se v buducnosti vzdálené statisíce let. Ale nejen to: zároveň se zrodí první kniha popularizující pojem cestování v čase, a také jedna z prvních knížek přinášejících fanouškům beletrie žánr sci-fi. Když vynálezce zabrzdí svůj stroj v Londýně na prahu 8028. století, bohužel ho nevítá krásný nový svět hemžící se nevídanými výdobytky vědy i techniky a prodchnutý všeobjímajícím humanismem. Z všemocného lidstva, jež si slibovalo „zlatý věk“, zbyly jen roztříštěné houfy človíčků tělesně i duševně připomínajících děti, které se v polorozpadlých zříceninách děsí tmy a každého šramotu v ní… Jde dodnes o jeden z nejpůsobivějších a nejvlivnějších románů sci-fi, jaké byly kdy napsány, román zároveň napojený na vývojovou linii varovně pochmurných utopických děl, jež zachycují lidstvo, Zemi a dokonce snad celý vesmír ve stavu pokročilého úpadku a návratu k primitivnímu způsobu života. Kudy se vydáme, aby k tomuhle vývoji nedošlo? (patro.cz)