Great book if you've never read it. (here's an Amazon link)

When you read it though you have to remember that HG Wells was actually a deeply policital writer. War of the worlds is an attack on Brittish Colonialism. ie. the martians are actually the british invading another land. The 'tripods' and 'heatrays' are analogies of ships, cannons and other infernal machines. The final death of the alien invaders because of local disease isis... well that's true actually.

Once you understand what HG Wells is really saying, the books move from entertaining to brilliant -- very much like Heinlen.

Oh!! Never read it...

But from what I gather, a lot of these writers were actually writing a commentary weren't they? Like Orwell and Asimov?

Brilliant strategy. I should try that 

I'm trying to figure out the political message in your statement above.

My lips (or fingers whatever) are sealed till you figure it out

xD 

I thought the movie was really bad and so have not bothered with the book. But I did like The Time Machine, also by Wells, so maybe I shouldn't be so dismissive...

It's not what I would normally pick but the premise sounds interesting. Will have to see if my library has it...