The War in the Air

The War in the Air

Infobox Book |
name = The War in the Air
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = 2002 edition
author = H. G. Wells
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series =
genre = Science fiction novel
publisher = George Bell and Sons
release_date = 1908
english_release_date =
media_type = Print (Serial, Hardback & Paperback)
pages =
isbn = NA
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"The War in the Air" is a novel by H. G. Wells, written in 1907, serialized and published in 1908. Like many of Wells’ works, it is notable for its prophetic ideas, images, and concepts, in this case, the use of the airplane for the purpose of warfare and the coming of World War I. The novel's hero is Bert Smallways, a forward-thinking young man, a "kind of bicycle engineer of the let's-have-a-look-at-it and enamel chipping variety."

Plot summary

Wells envisions a world in which China and Japan form an alliance of Eastern Asia; Germany is aggressive and thrusting; and the United States is a country torn apart "in violent conflict between Federal and State governments upon the question of universal service in a defensive militia." The British Empire is a more pacific power, whose possessions are scattered across the globe, and distracted by "insurrectionary movements in Ireland and among all its Subject Races. It had given these subject races cigarettes, boots, bowler hats, cricket, race meetings, cheap revolvers, petroleum, the factory system of industry, half penny newspapers in both English and the vernacular, inexpensive university degrees, motor-bicycles and electric trams…" France and the Latin Powers (Italy, Spain, Portugal) are militarized, but reluctant to fight; Russia is divided within itself, torn apart by conflict between revolutionaries and reactionaries. Other smaller states have armed themselves as best they can.

War erupts when German aerial forces, built and supported by aeronautical parks and foundries, and consisting of airships and "Drachenflieger", attempt to seize control of the air before the Americans build a large-scale aerial navy. The Germans assume that the Chinese and Japanese have no air forces. Tensions between Japan and the United States, exacerbated by the issue of American citizenship being denied to Japanese immigrants, also lead to war. The "Confederation of Eastern Asia" (China and Japan) turns out to possess aerial forces, and their aircraft and tactics have been seen as a portent to the kamikaze of World War II. The United States therefore has to fight on two fronts: the Eastern and the Western, in the air as well on sea.

Bert Smallways becomes entangled in the German plot to bomb New York City when he accidentally falls into the hot air balloon of Alfred Butteridge, a British aviator who is apparently the only man with the "secret of the flying machine". The hot air balloon is whisked off and lands in the German aeronautic foundries in Franconia. Mistaken by the Germans as Alfred Butteridge, he is taken on board and questioned by the German ambassador Von Winterfeld. He also comes into the presence of Prince Karl Albert, the German commander of the plot. However, his disguise is foiled, and he becomes stuck on board the "Vaterland", the German flagship. After witnessing the Battle of the North Atlantic and the bombing of New York, as well as an aerial battle between German and American forces, Bert Smallways realises the true horror of war.

After New York City is bombarded by the German flying machines, the Asiatic aerial forces fly over the Rocky Mountains, and engage the Germans in dog fights above Niagara Falls. The Asiatic fleet also attacks a combined Anglo-Indian aerial force, and in Australia as well, capturing the Pacific islands. In Europe, Great Britain, France and Italy fight the Germans and Swiss forces, leading to the destruction of London, Paris, Hamburg and Berlin. Through generosity and luck Smallways returns to his now desolate home. The story advances a few years into the future to find humanity resembling barbarians maintaining a brutal feudal society after the war's destruction.

External links

* [http://www.online-literature.com/wellshg/warinair/ Online Searchable Full Text]
*gutenberg|no=780|name=The War in the Air


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom) — The Chief of the Air Staff s command flag, the Royal Air Force Ensign The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) is the professional head of the Royal Air Force and a member of both the Chiefs of Staff Committee and the Air Force Board. The current Chief… …   Wikipedia

  • Freedoms of the air — The Freedoms of the air are a set of commercial aviation rights granting a country s airline(s) the privilege to enter and land in another country s airspace. Formulated as a result of disagreements over the extent of aviation liberalisation in… …   Wikipedia

  • United States Secretary of the Air Force — Secretary of the Air Force SECAF Flag of the Secretary of the Air Force …   Wikipedia

  • in the air — {adv. phr.} 1. In everyone s thoughts. * /Christmas was in the air for weeks before./ * /The war filled people s thoughts every day; it was in the air./ Compare: IN THE WIND. 2. Meeting the bodily senses; surrounding you so as to be smelled or… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • in the air — {adv. phr.} 1. In everyone s thoughts. * /Christmas was in the air for weeks before./ * /The war filled people s thoughts every day; it was in the air./ Compare: IN THE WIND. 2. Meeting the bodily senses; surrounding you so as to be smelled or… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • Air-raid shelter — in Tateyama[disambiguation needed  …   Wikipedia

  • Air Ministry — The Air Ministry was formerly a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force.Organizations before the Air MinistryThe Air CommitteeOn 13 April 1912, less than two weeks after the… …   Wikipedia

  • The War of the Worlds (radio) — The War of the Worlds was an episode of the American radio drama anthology series Mercury Theatre on the Air . It was performed as a Halloween episode of the series on October 30, 1938 and aired over the WABC Radio network. Directed and narrated… …   Wikipedia

  • Air America (airline) — Air America was an American passenger and cargo airline covertly owned and operated by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1950 to 1976. It supplied and supported covert operations in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Organization In… …   Wikipedia

  • Air ambulance — A Eurocopter EC 145 of Switzerland s Rega air rescue service. An air ambulance is an aircraft used for emergency medical assistance in situations where either a traditio …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”