H.G. Wells was a prolific English writer in many genres, including the novel, history, politics, and social commentary, as well as textbooks and rules for war games.

Some of his early novels, called "scientific romances," invented several themes now classic in science fiction. Most notable of these works include The Time Machine, The Island of Doctor Moreau, The Invisible Man, The Shape of Things to Come, When the Sleeper Wakes, The War of the Worlds, and The First Men in the Moon.

His realistic novels received critical acclaim, including Kipps and Tono-Bungay, a satire on Edwardian advertising.

His first non-fiction bestseller was Anticipations of the Reaction of Mechanical and Scientific Progress Upon Human Life and Thought. Other notable non-fiction works include his bestselling two-volume work The Outline of History, A Short History of the World, The Science of Life, and The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind.