The First Men in the Moon : A Critical Text of the 1901 London First Edition, With an Introduction and Appendices (Annotated H.G. Wells, 6) [Library Binding]

H. G. Wells (Author), Leon Stover (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786404116 | ISBN-13: 978-0786404117 | Publication Date: May 1998 | Edition: annotated edition

The First Men in the Moon is the last in a series of "scientific romances" begun by Wells with The Time Machine. In the opinion of many, it is also the last in a series of pessimistic and anti-utopian novels before Wells took up the tone of an optimistic and utopian social prophet with Anticipations. The present critical edition of First Men questions that opinion. The lunar utopia described is far from a satire on the industrial order as many critics claim, but in historical context is instead related to the international scientific management movement, stemming from the Saint-Simonian school of socialism. This critical edition shows how First Men consciously builds on the whole literary tradition of moon voyages.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This deluxe edition of the Wells standard includes the critical text of the 1901 London first edition plus a scholarly introduction, appendixes, annotations, and photos. More for the academics.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"a crucial guide to these classics of science fiction" -- Fosfax

"extensively annotated and analyzed.... The notes demonstrate that Wells was well-read in science as well as in the literature of fanciful travel beyond the earth" -- C&RL News

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Product Details

• Library Binding: 333 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company; annotated edition edition (May 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786404116
• ISBN-13: 978-0786404117
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,766,162 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent annotated series of hg wells' SF works, February 2, 2009

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marcabru - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The First Men in the Moon : A Critical Text of the 1901 London First Edition, With an Introduction and Appendices (Annotated H.G. Wells, 6) (Library Binding)

This is an excellent critical edition of the initial edition of the Men in the Moon by Leon Stover.
Most reprints of the Time Machine and other of Wells' SF novels typically use later revisions.
Stover argues effectively for the greater artistic merit of the initial editions. It is part of a series
of extensively annotated editions of Wells' science fiction. The editor also has a lengthy introduction
which discusses the context and ideas permeating each novel. Stover makes good use of previous
studies while also providing his own illuminating analyses. What I like is that Stover keeps
close to what Wells wrote and said in his various books and recorded conversations rather
than spinning some personal take on the novel. Please do not confuse this with a
typical reprint of his sf novels. It is much more. Serious readers of HG Wells should get the series.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent annotation for excellent science fiction, July 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The First Men in the Moon : A Critical Text of the 1901 London First Edition, With an Introduction and Appendices (Annotated H.G. Wells, 6) (Library Binding)

The notes to The First Men In The Moon's text were truly informative.You can find out much about the times,as well as the advancement of the telegraph as well as ideas had at the turn of the century concerning space-travel.Wells was much,much more than a science-fiction writer.