The World Set Free
The World Set Free, published in 1914 and dedicated to the chemist Frederick Soddy, is the novel in which H. G. Wells imagined atomic energy and the atomic bomb before either existed. A prelude traces man's conquest of fire and power; then a scientist named Holsten unlocks the energy of the atom in the 1930s, industry is transformed and unemployment spreads, and in the 1950s a world war is fought with bombs that burn for years. From the ruins the surviving rulers meet at Brissago and found a world state, and the final sections follow the new order and the men who build it. Wells's prophecy of a war ended by its own weapons has kept the book alive. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The World Set Free
The World Set Free by H. G. Wells can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The World Set Free online?
Yes. The World Set Free opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The World Set Free free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The World Set Free is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The World Set Free in the public domain?
Yes. The World Set Free by H. G. Wells is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The World Set Free?
About 4 h 20 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The World Set Free?
The World Set Free by H. G. Wells is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
