A Modern Utopia


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(3.7 stars; 32 reviews)

H. G. Wells's proposal for social reform was the formation of a world state, a concept that would increasingly preoccupy him throughout the remainder of his life. One of his most ambitious early attempts at portraying a world state was A Modern Utopia (1905). A Modern Utopia was intended as a hybrid between fiction and 'philosophical discussion'. Like most utopists, he has indicated a series of modifications which in his opinion would increase the aggregate of human happiness. Basically, Wells' idea of a perfect world would be if everyone were able to live a happy life. This book is written with an intimate knowledge of former ideal commonwealths and is a conscious attempt to describe a utopia that is not utopian. (Summary by Wikipedia)

Chapters

Select a chapter to play

Introduction: The Owner of the Voice 12:08 Read by Alisson Veldhuis
Chapter 1: Topographical 41:41 Read by Alisson Veldhuis
Chapter 2: Concerning Freedoms, Sections 1-3 31:15 Read by humanode
Chapter 2: Concerning Freedoms, Sections 4-7 24:02 Read by humanode
Chapter 3: Utopian Economics, Sections 1-4 42:40 Read by Daniel George
Chapter 3: Utopian Economics, Sections 5-8 32:58 Read by Bill Boerst
Chapter 4: The Voice of Nature 28:54 Read by Elena
Chapter 5: A Failure in a Modern Utopia, Sections 1-3 25:28 Read by humanode
Chapter 5: A Failure in a Modern Utopia, Sections 4-8 25:55 Read by humanode
Chapter 6: Women in a Modern Utopia, Sections 1-4 37:26 Read by Felicity C
Chapter 6: Women in a Modern Utopia, Sections 5-6 30:37 Read by Felicity C
Chapter 7: A Few Utopian Impressions, Sections 1-3 24:41 Read by humanode
Chapter 7: A Few Utopian Impressions, Sections 4-7 24:18 Read by humanode
Chapter 8: My Utopian Self 13:42 Read by Caeliveres
Chapter 9: The Samurai, Sections 1-3 28:43 Read by Caeliveres
Chapter 9: The Samurai, Sections 4-5 25:40 Read by Caeliveres
Chapter 9: The Samurai, Sections 6-8 30:16 Read by hearmeout7
Chapter 10: Race in Utopia, Sections 1-2 35:14 Read by Felicity C
Chapter 10: Race in Utopia, Sections 3-5 26:34 Read by Felicity C
Chapter 11: The Bubble Bursts 32:21 Read by humanode
Appendix, Scepticism of the Instrument 36:28 Read by CalmDragon

Reviews

Distorted reading


(2 stars)

I'm finding it hard to even get past chapter 1. The reading sounds so distorted in places that it's difficult to understand and listen to. I thought the book coordinators are supposed to just reject readings that are unclear. Hopefully the rest of the book is better.

sounds good so far


(5 stars)

I like the reader. I don't agree with Wells' Anointed vision but it is insightful.