The War in the Air

by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

"The War in the Air" by H. G. Wells is a military science fiction novel published in 1908. The story follows Bert Smallways, an ordinary bicycle engineer who accidentally stumbles upon secret aircraft technology and gets swept into a catastrophic global conflict. As German airships launch a surprise attack on America and Asian forces join the fray, Bert witnesses the devastating power of aerial warfare. Wells's prophetic vision anticipates modern combat and World War I with chilling accuracy.