Thus begins the Time Traveler's astonishing first-hand account of his journey 800,000 years beyond his own era, and the story that launched H.G. Wells's successful career and earned him his reputation as the father of science fiction. With a speculative leap that still ignites the imagination, Wells sends his brave explorer to face a future loaded with our highest hopes ... and our darkest fears. One tug of the Time Machine lever propels him to the age of a slowly dying Earth. There he discovers two rare freaks, the ethereal Eloi and the underground Morlocks, which not only symbolize the duality of human nature, but also offer a terrifying portrait of the men of tomorrow. Published in 1895, this masterpiece of invention wowed readers on the threshold of a new century. Thanks to Wells' expert storytelling and insightful vision, The Time Machine will continue to captivate readers for generations to come.