This is the annotated edition including the rare biographical essay by Edwin E. Slosson called “H. G. Wells — A Major Prophet Of His Time”.
“It is as it stands now the frank confession of what one man of the early Twentieth Century has found in life and himself, a confession just as frank as the limitations of his character permit; it is his metaphysics, his religion, his moral standards, his uncertainties and the expedients with which he met them.” This is probably the best concise description of First and Last Things that is possible; for it is a strictly personal work, more expository than argumentative. Mr. Wells tells us what he feels and believes, and how he believes he ought to act. He believes, incidentally, he says, that other men are like him; but this he does not know, so he does not obtrude it. In taking this standpoint, Mr. Wells has very cleverly defeated criticism at the outset. For if we should wish to say, “Such and such a statement is true neither of the world, nor of my friends, nor of me,” we might well expect him to answer, “possibly not; but, as I said, it is true of H. G. Wells!” And it would surely be the last word in impertinence for anyone to question him.
The best part of it all is that Mr. H. G. Wells's views are entertaining and clear and brilliant and healthy. They are often startling, but he has taught us to expect that. Neither do we always agree with them; but, if we did, they would be our views.
