The Massacre of Mankind

The Massacre of Mankind

Company type	Novel
Industry	Literature
Founded	2017
Founder	Stephen Baxter
Products	Science fiction novel

The Massacre of Mankind is a science fiction work released in 2017 by British writer Stephen Baxter. It acts as an authorised continuation of H. G. Wells' seminal 1898 novel The War of the Worlds. The narrative is set in 1921, fourteen years subsequent to the initial Martian invasion, and centers on Miss Julie Elphinstone, who was formerly the sister-in-law of the original story’s narrator, as humanity faces a renewed Martian assault. Baxter is also known for writing an authorised follow-up to Wells' The Time Machine, titled The Time Ships.

Plot summary

The year is 1921 when four characters journey from New York City to England to meet Walter Jenkins, the author of the original War of the Worlds account, who suspects another Martian offensive. They discover London transformed into a totalitarian regime preparing for conflict. Shortly thereafter, fifty Martian cylinders land in London, inflicting severe damage on nearly half of Britain's military forces. Contrary to the 1907 invasion, Martians emerge immediately and confront British troops using heat rays. Military responses fail to halt them as Martians deliberately dismantle vital infrastructure such as bridges, factories, and railways.

By 1923, much of England lies under Martian control though they remain mostly confined within a perimeter. Jenkins recruits Julie Elphinstone to penetrate this zone and attempt contact. Accompanied by saboteur Marriott and others, she uncovers that Martians are harvesting humans and conducting hybridization experiments. Julie formulates a strategy to disrupt the Martians’ communication by modifying their ground-etched symbols. With assistance from Eric Eden, a veteran from the first conflict, and Marriott’s sabotage efforts, they replace these signs with Jovian symbols, prompting the Martians to retreat. Subsequently, Jovians leave their own mark upon the moon.

Advancing to 1937, the Martians continue to reside on Earth but remain concealed. Jenkins guides Julie underground to their English city and hypothesizes that Martians live collectively with telepathic equality. The British Martians have constructed a space cannon intended for return travel to Mars. Other groups have relocated to polar areas where terraforming activities are observed during an Arctic expedition aboard a German Zeppelin. Jenkins proposes that under Jovian oversight, Martians are compelled toward colonization rather than conquest and advises cooperation between humans and Martians.

When Earth and Mars reach opposition once more, no fresh Martian invasions occur, indicating the conclusion of this war of worlds.

The novel also features brief scenes portraying Martian attacks in New York City, Berlin, and Los Angeles.