Amazing Stories, Vol. 2, No. 5

About this issue

This August issue of Amazing Stories contains the featured serial "The War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells, depicting Martian invasion with detailed descriptions of the aliens themselves—their V-shaped mouths, tentacles, and vast intellects that regard Earth with envious eyes. Additional fiction includes "The Tissue-Culture King" by Julian Huxley, a tale of biological manipulation; "The Retreat to Mars" by Cecil B. White; "Electro-Episoded in A.D. 2025" by E.D. Skinner, exploring electrical technology; "The Ultra-Elixir of Youth" by A. Hyatt Verrill; "The Chemical Magnet" by Victor Thaddeus; and shorter works including "Hicks' Automatic Apartment" by Henry Hugh Simmons and "The Shadow on the Spark" by Edward S. Sears. The issue also previews upcoming stories including "The Radio Ghost" by Otis Adelbert Kline and "The Winged Doom" by Kenneth Gilbert exploring future aerial warfare. Editor Hugo Gernsback's note discusses the magazine's first-year success and circulation challenges.