H. G. Wells's first and fourth novels, The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds, have together largely created the science fiction genre. The centennial of the initial publication of The War of the Worlds was the focus of the 19th International Conference on the Fantastic in the Arts, and this volume includes selected essays from that conference. The first section of the book offers fresh interpretations of The War of the Worlds, while the second looks at Wells's other contributions and his shaping influence on science fiction and fantasy. The third includes papers on the art of noted science fiction writer Peter Straub, while the fourth explores a diverse range of topics related to the fantastic.