The Time Machine is the grandfather of science fiction, where true sci-fi all began! It is HG Wells' master fictional work. Though written in an older style of narrative with longer sentences and a slightly bigger vocabulary it is easy to read once the reader delves into it. Wells labored over this story, rewriting the ending numerous times. But the key to enjoying the story is understanding the philosophies of the great thinkers of Wells' time. Charles Darwin was presenting his theories on evolution. Karl Marx was expounding his beliefs about class struggle. Friedrich Neitzsche was preaching his doctrine of that which does not kill me only makes me stronger, and that might makes right. And there were new ideas in the scientific world of time being a fourth dimension in which we travel continuously. Wells reflected all of these ideas in the book as he tried to warn society that the huge gap between the rich and poor, and the mistreatment and dehumanization of our fellow man, would ultimately lead to an ironic revenge and to the downfall of all of humankind.