New Worlds For Old: A Plain Account of Modern Socialism

"New Worlds for Old" (1908), which appeared in some later editions with the subtitle "A Plain Account of Modern Socialism," was one of several books and pamphlets that famed author and Nobel Literature Prize winner H. G. Wells wrote about the socialist future in the period 1901-1908, while he was engaged in an effort to reform the Fabian Society. As a result of Wells's earlier books and articles, he was "bombarded with requests for article pieces on socialism." Many of the chapters of 'New Worlds for Old' are reworked versions of these pieces.

Herbert George Wells, commonly known as H. G. Wells (1866-1946), was a prolific English writer who penned dozens of books, among them several classics of science fiction and socio-political commentaries. His works exhibit a keen intellect and prophetic vision, speculating on technology, society, and the human condition with uncanny foresight. A fervent advocate for social reform, Wells's ideologies are prominently featured in 'New Worlds For Old: A Plain Account of Modern Socialism' (1908), where he outlines his vision for a socialist future, tapping into the economic and societal issues of his time. Trained initially in biology under Thomas Henry Huxley, Wells's scientific background informed his literature, giving rise to seminal science fiction works such as 'The Time Machine' (1895), 'The War of the Worlds' (1898), and 'The Invisible Man' (1897). Through his writing, Wells popularized concepts of time travel and alien invasion, while also exploring utopian and dystopian themes, laying the groundwork for much of modern science fiction. His contributions extend beyond fiction; Wells also penned many non-fiction works and was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature four times. His literary style, characterized by a clear, direct narrative combined with a deep concern for social issues, ensured his status as one of the visionaries of his age and a key figure in English literature.