'The War in the Air' (1908) by H G Wells

'The War in the Air' is a science fiction novel that explores the impact of rapid technological advancement and militarization through the lens of air warfare. The story follows Bert Smallways, a humble bicycle repairman from London who gets inadvertently caught up in a global conflict. After accidentally boarding a military airship, he finds himself in the midst of an international war between technologically advanced nations, including the United States, Germany, and China, all of whom employ powerful fleets of airships, zeppelins, and early aircraft.

The novel’s core themes address the unpredictable dangers of unchecked technological progress, especially when controlled by ambitious and nationalistic governments. Through Bert’s bewildering journey, Wells offers a critical examination of modern warfare, the fragility of civilization, and the destructive potential of human invention. Ultimately, the book foresees the cataclysmic effects of aerial warfare, as cities are destroyed, societies collapse, and the world is thrown into chaos -a prophetic look at the modern warfare that would emerge in the 20th century.