Amazing Stories, Vol. 2 No. 5

About this issue

This issue opens with H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds," serialized in this publication. The opening chapters establish that late-nineteenth-century humanity, absorbed in its own affairs, remains unaware that Martian intelligences observe Earth with interest. Mars, being older and cooling, faces environmental crisis; its inhabitants—intellectually superior beings with "vast and cool and unsympathetic" minds—regard Earth's warmer climate and abundant life with envious intent. The narrative suggests these Martian minds have begun forming plans against humanity. The issue also advertises forthcoming stories: "The Radio Ghost" by Otis Adalbert Kline (exploring criminal uses of radio technology), "The Winged Doom" by Kenneth Gilbert (depicting future aerial invasion), and "The Stone Cat" by Miles J. Breuer, M.D. (involving petrification). The contents list credits "The Tissue-Culture King" by Julian Huxley, "The Retreat to Mars" by Cecil B. White, "Electro-Episodes in A.D. 2025" by E.D. Skinner, and other stories on scientific and technological themes.