War and the Future
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1917 |
| Products | Wartime propaganda literature |
War and the Future (1917) is a piece of wartime propaganda authored by H. G. Wells, released in North America under the title Italy, France, and Britain at War. Although Wells favored the name The War of Ideas, his publisher opted for a different title. Aside from the introductory section, its chapters were initially published as newspaper articles. Despite identifying as "an extreme Pacifist," Wells firmly backed Britain's conflict with Germany, aiming to end "the German will-to-power and all its humiliating and disgusting consequences."
Synopsis
The book War and the Future is divided into four distinct sections.
The opening segment, "The Passing of the Effigy," emphasizes that "the great man of this war is the common man," portraying General Joffre as a symbol of Allied leadership characterized by practicality rather than personal ambition. Wells also remarks on the modest demeanor of the King of Italy during a private encounter.
Part two, titled "The War in Italy" (August 1916), discusses mountain combat along the Isonzo front and recounts visits to cities including Udine, Verona, Venice, and Milan.
The third section, "The Western War" (September 1916), describes Wells’s journey to the Western Front near Arras and Soissons. He conveys optimism that air supremacy and aerial reconnaissance have facilitated tactical progress for the Allies likely to defeat Germany. While commending British troops, he critiques the officer class for its inflexibility. Wells stresses that technological advancements have revolutionized warfare—traditional cavalry and rigid troop formations are outdated, with artillery playing a crucial role. He narrates a tour of a munitions factory led by industrialist André Citroën and dedicates a chapter to tanks as heralding a new era in combat, recalling his 1903 short story "The Land Ironclads."
The concluding part, "How People Think about the War," explores various themes: misconceptions about what caused the war; the mindset of pacifists and conscientious objectors (the latter stance he later reconsidered); effects on religious beliefs; skepticism among French and Italians toward Britain; future labor relations; and possibilities for concluding the conflict. Wells foresaw potential victory in 1917 but accepted that fighting might extend into 1918 or 1919. He maintained that "America should ultimately undertake the responsibility of a world peace settlement."
Background
Wells was an unwilling propagandist. Although government censors sought to excise his critiques of British military officers, he ignored their demands—pretending compliance while secretly destroying altered proofs.
He traveled to France on 8 August 1916, visiting front-line locations such as Soissons and Udine via Venice, then returning through Verona and Milan with stops at Arras, Dompierre, Fricourt, and Albert.
Reception
The articles compiled in War and the Future gained widespread readership, significantly boosting sales of the published volume.