The Destruction of Shepperton and the Exodus from London

Francis Spufford walks in the footsteps of HG Wells’ all conquering tripods from Woking to Primrose Hill in the company of writers, scientists and historians, exploring the startling array of ideas that fuelled his classic and gives it its lasting impact.

The inexorable progress of the Martian War machines meets an attempt at organised military response at Shepperton. It is desperate and doomed yet not without limited success.

Joining Francis along the banks of the River Thames to consider a desperate, workable strategy against alien invasion is General Sir Rupert Smith, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander.

Meanwhile in London and along the refugee routes northwards to Chipping Barnet, Professor Darryl Jones (Trinity College), editor of the O.U.P. edition of War of the Worlds, considers how things fall apart and what kind of world Wells wanted to sweep away?

Producer: Mark Burman

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2017.