As part of the Life and works series, this book is an introductory biography of the writer H.G. Wells, examining his career and aiming to help readers understand the context in which his works were written. This study includes quotations, illustrations and critical analysis, and may be of interest to GCSE English students. The author re-establishes Wells' reputation through a survey of his life and work, from his early career, creating themes of science fiction, to his Edwardian social novels - Kipps, Tono-Bungay and Mr Polly. Lastly, Martin re-appraises the view of Wells as the Utopian dreamer who longed for a world state that would give lasting, creative peace to mankind. The book also includes a glossary, a list of dates, further reading and an index.