This science fiction novel by H.G. Wells was first published as a standalone book in 1898. The War of the Worlds describes an alien invasion of Earth by Martians and is one of the earliest depictions of such a conflict in literature.

The events of the novel, narrated in the first person by an unnamed eyewitness, take place in southern England, including the vicinity of Woking and in London, where Wells himself lived and worked. The book is considered a classic of science fiction and has significantly influenced the development of the genre. Critics have described the novel as a commentary on evolutionary theory, British imperialism, and the fears, prejudices, and stereotypes of the Victorian era, labeling it as a "scientific romance."