The War Of the Worlds (Readings Classics)

Soon after the explosions on the surface of Mars, a "meteor" lands in Woking, England and dislodges Martians, a monstro species "the size of a bear" having "two large dark-coloured eyes," lipless mouths and above all two "Gorgon groups of tentacles." They look evil. They are evil. That becomes obviou when they burn a friendly human delegation with a heat-ray. Later, they eliminate a military unit positioned near their bas and launch an all-out offensive against humanity, the outcom of which will determine its future on Earth.

The War of the Worlds is among the earliest science fiction writings featuring extraterrestrials. It has remained immensely popular since its first publication and has never been out of print. It has also been frequently adapted for various visual media like many other works of H. G. Wells.