This book explores the relationship between H.G. Wells's scientific romances and the discourses of science in the 1890s and early years of the twentieth century. It investigates how Wells utilizes his early fiction to participate in a range of topical scientific disputes and, increasingly, as a means to instigate social reform.

BERGONZI; The Early H.G.Wells: A Study of the Scientific Romances; Prentice Hall, 1976; Classic study but not updated and now out of print PARRINDER; Shadows of the Future: H.G.Wells, Science and Prophecy; Syracuse UP, 1996; Different focus from our book, looking particularly at science fiction and prophecy where our book focuses on the links between Wells's works and contemporary scientific debates WAGAR; H.G.Wells: Traversing Time; Wesleyan University Press, 2004 (new ed); More general account of Wells's life and works - does not look in depth at wider relationship with science HAYNES; H.G.Wells : Discoverer of the Future: The Influence of Science on his Thought; New York UP, 1980; Examines science throughout Wells's life but not as specific or detailed as our book