Season 1 Episode 12

War of the Worlds is a science fiction novel written by British author H.G. Wells. Wells, born on September 21, 1866, was a visionary writer and is often referred to as the "Father of Science Fiction." Published in 1898, "War of the Worlds" is one of his most famous works, renowned for its thrilling narrative and groundbreaking portrayal of a Martian invasion of Earth.

The novel takes place in late 19th-century England when Martians suddenly arrive in enormous cylindrical spacecraft. As the Martians unleash deadly heat rays and employ advanced weaponry, humanity finds itself facing an overwhelming threat. The story follows an unnamed narrator, who recounts the horrific events and struggles for survival against the seemingly invincible alien invaders.

"War of the Worlds" explores themes of human resilience, the clash of civilizations, and the fear of the unknown. Wells masterfully depicts the panic and chaos that ensue when humanity is confronted with a superior extraterrestrial force. Through the narrative, he raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of humanity and our place in the vast universe.

The radio presentation of "War of the Worlds" occurred through the "Lux Radio Theater," a popular radio anthology series that aired from 1934 to 1955. Hosted by Cecil B. DeMille, the show presented adaptations of popular plays and novels, showcasing the talents of Hollywood actors. The radio adaptation of "War of the Worlds" on the "Lux Radio Theater" aired on October 30, 1938.

The "Lux Radio Theater" adaptation of "War of the Worlds" demonstrated the enduring popularity and impact of Wells's novel. It emphasized the ability of radio dramas to captivate and engage listeners, blurring the line between fiction and reality. The adaptation's notoriety cemented "War of the Worlds" as a timeless science fiction classic and solidified Wells's status as a pioneering author in the genre.

Books in Sound is a free podcast series that presents a collection of hundreds of the world’s greatest books through the magic of the performing arts.

Different from audiobooks: Instead of having a single narrator read an audiobook, these performances have a full cast of actors, suitable background music, and special effects that help define the drama.

Most presentations are from old time radio theater broadcasts that have been remastered to remove most of the hissing, clicking and volume fluctuations. Many of the presentations are from the 1930's and 1940's, so a significant amount of work went into the remastering process.

Most presentations are about one hour, some are multiple hours, and some are abbreviated presentation that last about half an hour, making this series wonderful for bedtime stories, self-improvement by learning about literature, or simply as a very imaginative form of entertainment.

The episodes are not sequential, but we do recommend listening to the complete collection starting with the first episode so that you can grow and benefit from the wide assortment of styles and content.

For more information visit https://www.booksinsound.com