H.G. Wells' first and fourth novels, The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds, have together largely created the science fiction genre. Since 1998 was the centennial of the initial publication of The War of the Worlds, Wells' novel was the focus of the nineteenth International Conference on the Fantastic in the Arts. This volume includes selected essays from that conference. The book offers fresh interpretations of The War of the Worlds, looking at Wells' other contributions and his shaping influence on science fiction and fantasy.