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The Empire of the Ants
"The Empire of the Ants" is a disturbing tale about a new species of giant ants in South America which have evolved to use tools and weapons, wear clothes, communicate and organize themselves as a deadly fighting machine. And their chosen enemy is mankind...
Audiobook
First published January 1, 1905
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About the author
H.G. Wells
5,457 books11.1k followersHerbert George Wells was born to a working class family in Kent, England. Young Wells received a spotty education, interrupted by several illnesses and family difficulties, and became a draper's apprentice as a teenager. The headmaster of Midhurst Grammar School, where he had spent a year, arranged for him to return as an "usher," or student teacher. Wells earned a government scholarship in 1884, to study biology under Thomas Henry Huxley at the Normal School of Science. Wells earned his bachelor of science and doctor of science degrees at the University of London. After marrying his cousin, Isabel, Wells began to supplement his teaching salary with short stories and freelance articles, then books, including The Time Machine (1895), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896), The Invisible Man (1897), and The War of the Worlds (1898).
Wells created a mild scandal when he divorced his cousin to marry one of his best students, Amy Catherine Robbins. Although his second marriage was lasting and produced two sons, Wells was an unabashed advocate of free (as opposed to "indiscriminate") love. He continued to openly have extra-marital liaisons, most famously with Margaret Sanger, and a ten-year relationship with the author Rebecca West, who had one of his two out-of-wedlock children. A one-time member of the Fabian Society, Wells sought active change. His 100 books included many novels, as well as nonfiction, such as A Modern Utopia (1905), The Outline of History (1920), A Short History of the World (1922), The Shape of Things to Come (1933), and The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind (1932). One of his booklets was Crux Ansata, An Indictment of the Roman Catholic Church. Although Wells toyed briefly with the idea of a "divine will" in his book, God the Invisible King (1917), it was a temporary aberration. Wells used his international fame to promote his favorite causes, including the prevention of war, and was received by government officials around the world. He is best-remembered as an early writer of science fiction and futurism.
He was also an outspoken socialist. Wells and Jules Verne are each sometimes referred to as "The Fathers of Science Fiction". D. 1946.
More: http://philosopedia.org/index.php/H._...
http://www.online-literature.com/well...
http://www.hgwellsusa.50megs.com/
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._G._Wells
Wells created a mild scandal when he divorced his cousin to marry one of his best students, Amy Catherine Robbins. Although his second marriage was lasting and produced two sons, Wells was an unabashed advocate of free (as opposed to "indiscriminate") love. He continued to openly have extra-marital liaisons, most famously with Margaret Sanger, and a ten-year relationship with the author Rebecca West, who had one of his two out-of-wedlock children. A one-time member of the Fabian Society, Wells sought active change. His 100 books included many novels, as well as nonfiction, such as A Modern Utopia (1905), The Outline of History (1920), A Short History of the World (1922), The Shape of Things to Come (1933), and The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind (1932). One of his booklets was Crux Ansata, An Indictment of the Roman Catholic Church. Although Wells toyed briefly with the idea of a "divine will" in his book, God the Invisible King (1917), it was a temporary aberration. Wells used his international fame to promote his favorite causes, including the prevention of war, and was received by government officials around the world. He is best-remembered as an early writer of science fiction and futurism.
He was also an outspoken socialist. Wells and Jules Verne are each sometimes referred to as "The Fathers of Science Fiction". D. 1946.
More: http://philosopedia.org/index.php/H._...
http://www.online-literature.com/well...
http://www.hgwellsusa.50megs.com/
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._G._Wells
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
March 31, 2019
I’d recently watched the corny 1977 B-movie adaptation starring Joan Collins, it was so bad that I actually quite enjoyed it!
What I found most interesting was the way Science Fiction storytelling has evolved over the 20th century.
Well’s original story focuses on the potential threat of a plague of ants having evolve with an advance intelligence and has attacked a town of Badama in South America.
Where the movies main focus is a group of giant monstrously formed insects after a toxic spillage, this has a more of an environmental heavy undertone.
I rather enjoyed the original scientific approach of evolution in Well’s writing.
A quick fun read, it was nice to compare the two versions.
What I found most interesting was the way Science Fiction storytelling has evolved over the 20th century.
Well’s original story focuses on the potential threat of a plague of ants having evolve with an advance intelligence and has attacked a town of Badama in South America.
Where the movies main focus is a group of giant monstrously formed insects after a toxic spillage, this has a more of an environmental heavy undertone.
I rather enjoyed the original scientific approach of evolution in Well’s writing.
A quick fun read, it was nice to compare the two versions.
May 16, 2022
لو أن أحدا من الكائنات لديه الفرصة في فرض سيطرته علي الأرض
سيكون النمل بلا شك. 🧐🐜
هذا الصبر و الإلحاح و النظام الباهر لا بد أنه سيثمر عن حضارة عريقة يوماً ما.
لذالك تجد الكثير من الأعمال تتحدث عن هذه المخلوقات العجيبة.
تجد فيلم إمبراطورية النمل حيث سيكون النمل عملاقاً مفترساً.
الكثير من الكتب و الروايات تدرس سلوكها العجيب.
و هذه إحدي القصص الرائدة .
تبعث الحكومة البرازيلية سفينة حربية بعدما تلقت شكوي عن غزو غريب للنمل في إحدي القرى جعل سكانها يهربون.
في تذمر دائم من القبطان الصارم ، و مع صديقه المهندس البريطاني نعيش هذه الرحلة في نهر الأمازون و لنرى أن الإنسان ليس له السيطرة المطلقة كما يظن ، حتي نحل الرحال في هذه القرية التي ستكون بؤرة لغزو النمل الغريب .☄️
سيكون النمل بلا شك. 🧐🐜
هذا الصبر و الإلحاح و النظام الباهر لا بد أنه سيثمر عن حضارة عريقة يوماً ما.
لذالك تجد الكثير من الأعمال تتحدث عن هذه المخلوقات العجيبة.
تجد فيلم إمبراطورية النمل حيث سيكون النمل عملاقاً مفترساً.
الكثير من الكتب و الروايات تدرس سلوكها العجيب.
و هذه إحدي القصص الرائدة .
تبعث الحكومة البرازيلية سفينة حربية بعدما تلقت شكوي عن غزو غريب للنمل في إحدي القرى جعل سكانها يهربون.
في تذمر دائم من القبطان الصارم ، و مع صديقه المهندس البريطاني نعيش هذه الرحلة في نهر الأمازون و لنرى أن الإنسان ليس له السيطرة المطلقة كما يظن ، حتي نحل الرحال في هذه القرية التي ستكون بؤرة لغزو النمل الغريب .☄️
September 21, 2023
قصة أقل من عادية. إن كانت للأطفال فستكون مملة و بلا جدوى و إن كانت للكبار فأين القصة أصلا. حاولت أن أجد أي عمق أو رمزية للنمل و سيطرته على أمريكا الجنوبية و من ثم غزوه لأوروبا بعد ذلك فلم أجد إلا طرح عنصري في صورة موجات هجرة الفقراء و هو ما لم يحدث في عهد الكاتب. أو ثورات شيوعية و هو ما لم يحدث أيضا إلا بعد ذلك بعدة عقود أيضا. مع ذلك فالقصة لا تتعدي العشرين صفحة و يمكن إنهائها في جلسة واحدة
November 21, 2025
Ironic
This one was bold — a very obvious criticism of colonization. It carries the same energy as Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad: a journey into the unknown that exposes the stupidity, hypocrisy, and arrogance of the colonizer.
Wells shows how people can completely ignore their own doubts about how idiotic the whole colonization project is. They know it’s wrong, they know it’s pointless, yet they go along with it anyway. And of course, the idea that people in the Amazon could somehow be a “danger” to the people of England is hilarious and absurd.
Then comes the classic colonial mindset:
the stereotype that anyone who dresses, looks, or lives differently must be illiterate, primitive, and in need of “fixing.” Every time colonizers actually discover how intelligent and capable these people are, they’re shocked — as if surviving brutal environments and mastering adaptation doesn’t require a level of intelligence far beyond theirs.
But humans love to think that if someone isn’t wearing gloves, a hat, and a suit, then they’re ignorant savages who need to be saved, shaped, or eliminated. If they refuse? Simple — kill them.
The irony is brutal:
the colonizers are the real threat, the real danger, the real ignorant ones, yet they never look in the mirror. They paint themselves as heroes while butchering entire cultures. It’s giving Columbus energy all over again — different people, same Columbus. You invade someone’s land, get shocked to find people living in it, slaughter them, call them names to soothe your fragile ego, and then wipe out their knowledge and identity. Understand them? No. Just erase them and start from scratch. Ignorant monkeys.
Now, despite the strong idea and the daring message, I felt Wells didn’t bring his usual emotional grip to this one. I wanted more horror, more intensity, more psychological depth. The concept was powerful, but the delivery lacked the emotional punch he usually brings.
This one was bold — a very obvious criticism of colonization. It carries the same energy as Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad: a journey into the unknown that exposes the stupidity, hypocrisy, and arrogance of the colonizer.
Wells shows how people can completely ignore their own doubts about how idiotic the whole colonization project is. They know it’s wrong, they know it’s pointless, yet they go along with it anyway. And of course, the idea that people in the Amazon could somehow be a “danger” to the people of England is hilarious and absurd.
Then comes the classic colonial mindset:
the stereotype that anyone who dresses, looks, or lives differently must be illiterate, primitive, and in need of “fixing.” Every time colonizers actually discover how intelligent and capable these people are, they’re shocked — as if surviving brutal environments and mastering adaptation doesn’t require a level of intelligence far beyond theirs.
But humans love to think that if someone isn’t wearing gloves, a hat, and a suit, then they’re ignorant savages who need to be saved, shaped, or eliminated. If they refuse? Simple — kill them.
The irony is brutal:
the colonizers are the real threat, the real danger, the real ignorant ones, yet they never look in the mirror. They paint themselves as heroes while butchering entire cultures. It’s giving Columbus energy all over again — different people, same Columbus. You invade someone’s land, get shocked to find people living in it, slaughter them, call them names to soothe your fragile ego, and then wipe out their knowledge and identity. Understand them? No. Just erase them and start from scratch. Ignorant monkeys.
Now, despite the strong idea and the daring message, I felt Wells didn’t bring his usual emotional grip to this one. I wanted more horror, more intensity, more psychological depth. The concept was powerful, but the delivery lacked the emotional punch he usually brings.
June 20, 2022
A short and creepy horror story about ants that have evolved in the Amazon. It’s mostly intended to show us the what if scenario about animal evolution, in the same vein as humans have evolved over time.
June 9, 2018
ما عسي الإنسان أن يفعل لمواجهة هذا النمل ؟؟
المفترض أن النمل يأتي ويذهب ولكن هذا لا يذهب ...
إنه يتمتع بعقلانية وتنسيق اجتماعي فريد فهو يطرد ويقتل ويحتل لبناء امبراطوريته لا شيء يوقفه عن مخططه للسيطرة علي العالم ....
استمتعوا..
دمتم قراء ❤❤❤
المفترض أن النمل يأتي ويذهب ولكن هذا لا يذهب ...
إنه يتمتع بعقلانية وتنسيق اجتماعي فريد فهو يطرد ويقتل ويحتل لبناء امبراطوريته لا شيء يوقفه عن مخططه للسيطرة علي العالم ....
استمتعوا..
دمتم قراء ❤❤❤
August 5, 2021
2.5⭐
حبيت فكرة رد فعل الطبيعة على أفعال الانسان
🌟 لكن ما الذي سيمنع النمل من التطور أيضًا؟ فهذا النمل، المعروف عنه أنه يعيش في مجتمعات صغيرة مكونة من بضعة آلاف من الأفراد، لم يبذل جهودًا حثيثةً تجاه العالم الأكبر. لكنه لديه لغة ويتمتع بالذكاء! لماذا ستتوقف الأمور عند هذا الحد، في حين أن البشر لم يتوقفوا عند حد المرحلة البربرية؟ افترضْ أن النمل بدأ على الفور تخزين المعرفة مثلما فعل البشر عن طريق الكتب والسجلات، وبدءوا يستخدمون الأسلحة، ويُكوِّنون الإمبراطوريات العظمى، ويشنُّون حربًا مُدبرة ومنظمة، فما العمل؟
حبيت فكرة رد فعل الطبيعة على أفعال الانسان
🌟 لكن ما الذي سيمنع النمل من التطور أيضًا؟ فهذا النمل، المعروف عنه أنه يعيش في مجتمعات صغيرة مكونة من بضعة آلاف من الأفراد، لم يبذل جهودًا حثيثةً تجاه العالم الأكبر. لكنه لديه لغة ويتمتع بالذكاء! لماذا ستتوقف الأمور عند هذا الحد، في حين أن البشر لم يتوقفوا عند حد المرحلة البربرية؟ افترضْ أن النمل بدأ على الفور تخزين المعرفة مثلما فعل البشر عن طريق الكتب والسجلات، وبدءوا يستخدمون الأسلحة، ويُكوِّنون الإمبراطوريات العظمى، ويشنُّون حربًا مُدبرة ومنظمة، فما العمل؟
November 16, 2014
The part that got me was when the 5 inch ants were wearing clothes.
March 18, 2018
تعجبني أفكار قصص ويلز وتجذبني لقراءتها لكن أحياناً تكون القصة أقل من الفكرة .. وفي الحالتين أنت أمام أديب سابق لعصره له أسلوب أخاذ ومبدع في الوصف والسرد.
July 13, 2025
The Empire of the Ants by H.G. Wells
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3*)
I stumbled across “The Empire of the Ants” as an audiobook on YouTube and was immediately intrigued. Having previously read and thoroughly enjoyed “The Time Machine”, “The War of the Worlds”, and “The Island of Dr. Moreau”, I had high expectations. H.G. Wells has proven himself to be a master of blending science fiction with philosophical depth and social commentary, so I assumed this short story would be another gem. Unfortunately, it wasn’t.
„This is a science fiction short story that explores the idea of an insect civilization, with ants evolving into a powerful and organized empire. The story follows a man who embarks on a journey to a remote area where he encounters these highly intelligent and aggressive ants, who have built a vast and complex society. As he observes their actions, the man realizes the ants' growing dominance and the potential threat they pose to humans. The story delves into themes of nature’s hidden power, the limits of human dominance, and the possibility of other species surpassing humans in intelligence and organization. Through this tale, Wells raises questions about humanity’s place in the natural world.“
The premise itself is undeniably fascinating: a species of highly intelligent ants begins to pose a serious threat to humanity, and a small group of people becomes entangled in this unsettling discovery. It’s the kind of eerie, high-concept idea that Wells excels at. But while the concept had so much potential, the execution left me cold.
The writing style is very matter-of-fact, more like a journalist’s field report than a story passed down or lived through. Instead of drawing me into the world, the narrative kept me at arm’s length. The story is delivered in a detached, clinical tone that lacks emotional depth or narrative drive. There’s little in the way of plot development, character arcs, or even suspense. Much of what happens is summarized rather than shown, and I never felt like I was truly “there” with the characters.
In fact, I never really connected with any of the characters at all. They felt more like observers than participants, and I found it hard to care about their fates. The story hints at big themes — evolution, human arrogance, the fragility of civilization — but these ideas are never fully explored, at least not in a way that resonated with me.
Instead of building tension or immersing the reader in a vivid world, the story becomes repetitive and vague. There’s more going on in the abstract idea of the story than on the page itself. And while I appreciate a cerebral or understated approach, here it just felt unfinished or undercooked.
Still, I can’t deny the originality of the central idea. There’s something chilling and memorable about the thought of a non-human intelligence rising up in the far corners of the world, unnoticed by most. That idea alone earns it some credit.
In the end, I would rate this story 3 stars — but only just. It’s worth reading for Wells completists or for those interested in early science fiction, but I wouldn’t recommend it as a starting point for his work.
Want to see more reviews from me or looking for other book-related content, check out my blog: https://sachareads.com 🙂
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3*)
I stumbled across “The Empire of the Ants” as an audiobook on YouTube and was immediately intrigued. Having previously read and thoroughly enjoyed “The Time Machine”, “The War of the Worlds”, and “The Island of Dr. Moreau”, I had high expectations. H.G. Wells has proven himself to be a master of blending science fiction with philosophical depth and social commentary, so I assumed this short story would be another gem. Unfortunately, it wasn’t.
„This is a science fiction short story that explores the idea of an insect civilization, with ants evolving into a powerful and organized empire. The story follows a man who embarks on a journey to a remote area where he encounters these highly intelligent and aggressive ants, who have built a vast and complex society. As he observes their actions, the man realizes the ants' growing dominance and the potential threat they pose to humans. The story delves into themes of nature’s hidden power, the limits of human dominance, and the possibility of other species surpassing humans in intelligence and organization. Through this tale, Wells raises questions about humanity’s place in the natural world.“
The premise itself is undeniably fascinating: a species of highly intelligent ants begins to pose a serious threat to humanity, and a small group of people becomes entangled in this unsettling discovery. It’s the kind of eerie, high-concept idea that Wells excels at. But while the concept had so much potential, the execution left me cold.
The writing style is very matter-of-fact, more like a journalist’s field report than a story passed down or lived through. Instead of drawing me into the world, the narrative kept me at arm’s length. The story is delivered in a detached, clinical tone that lacks emotional depth or narrative drive. There’s little in the way of plot development, character arcs, or even suspense. Much of what happens is summarized rather than shown, and I never felt like I was truly “there” with the characters.
In fact, I never really connected with any of the characters at all. They felt more like observers than participants, and I found it hard to care about their fates. The story hints at big themes — evolution, human arrogance, the fragility of civilization — but these ideas are never fully explored, at least not in a way that resonated with me.
Instead of building tension or immersing the reader in a vivid world, the story becomes repetitive and vague. There’s more going on in the abstract idea of the story than on the page itself. And while I appreciate a cerebral or understated approach, here it just felt unfinished or undercooked.
Still, I can’t deny the originality of the central idea. There’s something chilling and memorable about the thought of a non-human intelligence rising up in the far corners of the world, unnoticed by most. That idea alone earns it some credit.
In the end, I would rate this story 3 stars — but only just. It’s worth reading for Wells completists or for those interested in early science fiction, but I wouldn’t recommend it as a starting point for his work.
Want to see more reviews from me or looking for other book-related content, check out my blog: https://sachareads.com 🙂
March 21, 2021
ENGLISH: With this short story, written in 1905, Wells creates a new argument of science fiction: the evolutionary appearance of an intelligent competitor of man, here on Earth. In this case it is a species of ants. In 1935, the Czech Karel Kapek (author of R.U.R.) followed his lead with War with the Newts; and in 1938, the Frenchman Jacques Spitz with La Guerre des mouches.
ESPAÑOL: Con este cuento corto, escrito en 1905, Wells crea un nuevo argumento de ciencia-ficción: la de la aparición por evolución de un competidor inteligente del hombre, aquí en la Tierra. En este caso se trata de una especie de hormigas. En 1935, el checo Karel Kapek (autor de R.U.R.) le siguió con La Guerra de las Salamandras; y en 1938, el francés Jacques Spitz con La Guerre des Mouches.
ESPAÑOL: Con este cuento corto, escrito en 1905, Wells crea un nuevo argumento de ciencia-ficción: la de la aparición por evolución de un competidor inteligente del hombre, aquí en la Tierra. En este caso se trata de una especie de hormigas. En 1935, el checo Karel Kapek (autor de R.U.R.) le siguió con La Guerra de las Salamandras; y en 1938, el francés Jacques Spitz con La Guerre des Mouches.
January 28, 2019
The story is well written in pure Wells' style which I personally enjoy very much. The characters are interesting, but the end might leave you waiting for more. Whether you want to discover H.G. Wells or are a long time fan, I can only recommand the reading of "The Empire of the Ants".
H.G. Wells was very preoccupied by Charles Darwin's theory, so we might very well assume that "The Empire of the Ants" deals with 2 different points of view about nature and evolution.
The first view held by Holroyd is that humanity has dominated nature and should be able to control the ant invasion.
The second vision is held by captain Gerilleau who thinks Nature is still untamed and humanity cannot do anything against its will, this is comforted by the recurrent "what can we do" reiterated during the whole story.
The ending is left open, we don't know how things will turn out with this ant situation, but in the end, it doesn't really matter because nature will regulate itself.
As for the theory of evolution, "The Empire of the Ants" explores the theory that, as humans have evolved, animals (in this case ants) will evolve too in way we can't imagine. This is a very interesting point of view that's very "Wellsian" (he did believe that humans might eventually become a "super brain" with big heads and a short body).
H.G. Wells was very preoccupied by Charles Darwin's theory, so we might very well assume that "The Empire of the Ants" deals with 2 different points of view about nature and evolution.
The first view held by Holroyd is that humanity has dominated nature and should be able to control the ant invasion.
The second vision is held by captain Gerilleau who thinks Nature is still untamed and humanity cannot do anything against its will, this is comforted by the recurrent "what can we do" reiterated during the whole story.
The ending is left open, we don't know how things will turn out with this ant situation, but in the end, it doesn't really matter because nature will regulate itself.
As for the theory of evolution, "The Empire of the Ants" explores the theory that, as humans have evolved, animals (in this case ants) will evolve too in way we can't imagine. This is a very interesting point of view that's very "Wellsian" (he did believe that humans might eventually become a "super brain" with big heads and a short body).
October 20, 2021
That was a odd little story, very short magazine size about a trip up the river in deep Brazilian Jungle where the boat captain and his crew are sent to investigate stories about giant poison Saüba ants. I swear I seen a old 1960's movie about something like this but wasn't able to locate it on IMDB still creepy story journey into darkness taking the boat upriver beyond civilization beyond rescue beyond hope where it's just man vs nature in the end the captain fired his canon twice then retreated nature can not be defeated Lesson learned.
May 25, 2022
قصة مرعبة بشكل مزعج
October 7, 2025
Posiblemente mi peor pesadilla
January 4, 2022
"قوة الضعفاء في اتحادهم"
عن غزو وانتشار نمل كبير الحجم في البرازيل مما يستدعي مكافحته بإرسال الجيش
وصف دقيق غير ممل
لسلوك النمل وطرق تنظيمها وردات فعلها
حيث درس الكاتب عن طبيعة النمل قبل كتابته للرواية.
عن غزو وانتشار نمل كبير الحجم في البرازيل مما يستدعي مكافحته بإرسال الجيش
وصف دقيق غير ممل
لسلوك النمل وطرق تنظيمها وردات فعلها
حيث درس الكاتب عن طبيعة النمل قبل كتابته للرواية.
October 10, 2025
Loved this short story by Wells. But I have to say that I enjoyed The Stolen Body more.
October 17, 2021
The Empire of the Ants is a short-story by H.G.Wells first published in 1905 in The Strand Magazine. It tells the tale of res a Brazilian captain, Gerilleau, is ordered to take his gunboat, the Benjamin Constant, to assist the inhabitants of the town of Badama, in the "Upper Amazon," "against a plague of ants." A Lancashire engineer named Holroyd, who is said to have met with the narrator of the story a number of times is said to accompany him. On their way the captains starts gaining new information about the ants and shares them with Holroyd, raising the readers' curiosity about them. Then they come across a derelict boat, Santa Rosa, with only a corpse and a swarm of strange,prertty large, ants. At last they find the village deserted. The captain, cofused as to what to do next, orders 'de big gun' to be fired , but to little avail. Then he claims as he had done numerous times before, 'what else was there to do?'. At the end the narrator tells us that Holroyd is in England to raise awareness among the people aboutthesd ants, which the narrator finds absurd and he sarcastically comments that the ants would conquer the Americas and then come for Europe.
It is a fun science fiction read, but also delves into some deeper aspects such as man's futility against forces of nature, like the ones we are facing now. It also shines light on the then Great Britain's tendency to just be silent observers to the political crises in other countries and the more general human tendency to see any new information as phantasmatic.
It is a fun science fiction read, but also delves into some deeper aspects such as man's futility against forces of nature, like the ones we are facing now. It also shines light on the then Great Britain's tendency to just be silent observers to the political crises in other countries and the more general human tendency to see any new information as phantasmatic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2023
"What can one do with ants?... De whole thing is absurd."
The Empire of the Ants is a short story that follows Captain Gerilleau and his crew to assist the people of Badama (a fictional place in Brazil) in eradicating a new species of ant which kills with poison and consumes human flesh. Along the way they encounter strange and unsettling behavior from the ants, leading to unexpected actions with the ants employing military tactics similar to human military strategy.
Opening illustration for The Empire of the Ants in Amazing Stories magazine, 1926.
The Empire of the Ants is a short story that follows Captain Gerilleau and his crew to assist the people of Badama (a fictional place in Brazil) in eradicating a new species of ant which kills with poison and consumes human flesh. Along the way they encounter strange and unsettling behavior from the ants, leading to unexpected actions with the ants employing military tactics similar to human military strategy.
Opening illustration for The Empire of the Ants in Amazing Stories magazine, 1926.
July 28, 2018
Ants!!! They're coming for us!
September 7, 2021
فكرة جميلة ومبتكرة اوجدها ويلز ماذا لو كان النمل ذكي ذكي بما يكفي ليعي وجود البشر والمخلوقات الاخري ويخطط للتقدم والاستيطان والحرب والسيادة علي الارض فكرة مميزة بحق ....
April 18, 2021
Interesting read! Did a video review about it: https://youtu.be/qNmwNn4nlMs
January 31, 2024
Not enough ants
April 6, 2025
While I enjoyed it, it just doesn't stand up against Children of Time by Adrian Tschaikovsky. Which might not be a fair comparison as Children of Time is a novel and The Empire is Ants is more of a novel a. Still they are both about insect empires.
October 20, 2021
It was a bit anticlimactic really. It ended just as I was getting into it. But I guess that was the point, not to resolve all the issues, have the heroes save the day but just to highlight the idea, the possibility. They don't tell em like the used to.
September 19, 2022
I have always liked H.G. Wells but I think I like it better when his work has been modernized. Some of the original works are good when you read them but some are what they are, written in another time and place. This story is one of those that lose something over the distance of time. While it gets the point across it also is not an easy read because of the way it comes across. The prose is so long-winded and overworked that sometimes you just need a break.
April 30, 2023
3/5
The story follows the experiences of a man named Redwood, who accidentally ingests a serum that causes him to shrink to the size of an ant. He finds himself in a world where ants have evolved into intelligent creatures with their own civilization.
Redwood encounters a female ant, who communicates with him telepathically and introduces him to her colony. The ants are organized into a hierarchical society, with a queen at the top and workers and soldiers below. Redwood is horrified to learn that the ants are planning to invade and conquer the human world.
Redwood tries to communicate with the ants and convince them that humans are not their enemies, but his efforts are futile. He eventually learns that the serum that caused him to shrink was created by a scientist who was trying to develop a new insecticide lol. Redwood realizes that he must find a way to reverse the effects of the serum and return to his normal size in order to stop the ants.
In the end, Redwood manages to find a way to reverse the effects of the serum and returns to his normal size. He tries to warn humanity about the threat of the ants, but everyone thinks he's crazy. The story ends with Redwood realizing that he has lost his faith in humanity and that the ants might actually take over the world.
Story was short and a little too fast paced.
The story follows the experiences of a man named Redwood, who accidentally ingests a serum that causes him to shrink to the size of an ant. He finds himself in a world where ants have evolved into intelligent creatures with their own civilization.
Redwood encounters a female ant, who communicates with him telepathically and introduces him to her colony. The ants are organized into a hierarchical society, with a queen at the top and workers and soldiers below. Redwood is horrified to learn that the ants are planning to invade and conquer the human world.
Redwood tries to communicate with the ants and convince them that humans are not their enemies, but his efforts are futile. He eventually learns that the serum that caused him to shrink was created by a scientist who was trying to develop a new insecticide lol. Redwood realizes that he must find a way to reverse the effects of the serum and return to his normal size in order to stop the ants.
In the end, Redwood manages to find a way to reverse the effects of the serum and returns to his normal size. He tries to warn humanity about the threat of the ants, but everyone thinks he's crazy. The story ends with Redwood realizing that he has lost his faith in humanity and that the ants might actually take over the world.
Story was short and a little too fast paced.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2021
"كانت الغابة لا نهاية لها، وبدت لا تُقهر، وبدا الإنسان دخيلا ً نادرا محاطاً بالمخاطر."
المكان: سفينة عسكرية تبحر في مجاهل أنهار أمريكا الجنوبية.
الزمان: أواخر القرن التاسع عشر، حين كاد الإنسان يظن أنه اكتشف كل شيء وعرف كل الأجوبة واستعمر كل الكوكب.
المهمة: مواجهة نوع جديد من النمل أشرس من المعتاد دمر قرى وهجر سكانها.
لكن، ماذا يمكن للإنسان أن يفعل حيال النمل؟
في الطريق للمواجهة، لا يتوقف أشخاص القصة عن طرح هذا السؤال.
مالذي يمكن فعله حياله؟
ولا نتوقف نحن عن طرح السؤال الأكبر عن ضعف الإنسان وهشاشته. عن مكانته على هذا الكوكب وقدرته على النجاة خارج مدنه ومواطن حضارته.
"كانت الغابة لا نهاية لها، وبدت لا تُقهر، وبدا الإنسان دخيلا ً نادرا محاطاً بالمخاطر."
إمبراطورية النمل قصة شيقة لأحد آباء الخيال العلمي وأحد كتابي المفضلين في كل الأوقات هـ. ج. ويلز.
يمكنكم قراءتها على الرابط من هنداوي.
المكان: سفينة عسكرية تبحر في مجاهل أنهار أمريكا الجنوبية.
الزمان: أواخر القرن التاسع عشر، حين كاد الإنسان يظن أنه اكتشف كل شيء وعرف كل الأجوبة واستعمر كل الكوكب.
المهمة: مواجهة نوع جديد من النمل أشرس من المعتاد دمر قرى وهجر سكانها.
لكن، ماذا يمكن للإنسان أن يفعل حيال النمل؟
في الطريق للمواجهة، لا يتوقف أشخاص القصة عن طرح هذا السؤال.
مالذي يمكن فعله حياله؟
ولا نتوقف نحن عن طرح السؤال الأكبر عن ضعف الإنسان وهشاشته. عن مكانته على هذا الكوكب وقدرته على النجاة خارج مدنه ومواطن حضارته.
"كانت الغابة لا نهاية لها، وبدت لا تُقهر، وبدا الإنسان دخيلا ً نادرا محاطاً بالمخاطر."
إمبراطورية النمل قصة شيقة لأحد آباء الخيال العلمي وأحد كتابي المفضلين في كل الأوقات هـ. ج. ويلز.
يمكنكم قراءتها على الرابط من هنداوي.
December 29, 2022
The short story that birthed the film quote of “I for one welcome our new Insect overlords” since aped by AI-defeated chess-masters and The Simpsons. The ending is a bit sudden but there is some great Heart of Darkness style writing on man vs nature and the thin crust of civilisation. The motley crew shoot at wild animals and squash butterflies but the ants have entomological retribution in mind.
“He was a young man, this was his first sight of the tropics, he came straight from England, where Nature is hedged, ditched, and drained, into the perfection of submission, and he had suddenly discovered the insignificance of man. For six days they had been steaming up from the sea by unfrequented channels; and man had been as rare as a rare butterfly. One saw one day a canoe, another day a distant station, the next no men at all. He began to perceive that man is indeed a rare animal, having but a precarious hold upon this land.”
“It was the inhuman immensity of this land that astonished and oppressed him. He knew the skies were empty of men, the stars were specks in an incredible vastness of space; he knew the ocean was enormous and untamable, but in England he had come to think of the land as man's. In England it is indeed man's, the wild things live by sufferance, grow on lease, everywhere the roads, the fences, and absolute security runs. In an atlas, too, the land is man's, and all coloured to show his claim to it-- in vivid contrast to the universal independent blueness of the sea. He had taken it for granted that a day would come when everywhere about the earth, plough and culture, light tramways and good roads, an ordered security, would prevail. But now, he doubted.”
“He was a young man, this was his first sight of the tropics, he came straight from England, where Nature is hedged, ditched, and drained, into the perfection of submission, and he had suddenly discovered the insignificance of man. For six days they had been steaming up from the sea by unfrequented channels; and man had been as rare as a rare butterfly. One saw one day a canoe, another day a distant station, the next no men at all. He began to perceive that man is indeed a rare animal, having but a precarious hold upon this land.”
“It was the inhuman immensity of this land that astonished and oppressed him. He knew the skies were empty of men, the stars were specks in an incredible vastness of space; he knew the ocean was enormous and untamable, but in England he had come to think of the land as man's. In England it is indeed man's, the wild things live by sufferance, grow on lease, everywhere the roads, the fences, and absolute security runs. In an atlas, too, the land is man's, and all coloured to show his claim to it-- in vivid contrast to the universal independent blueness of the sea. He had taken it for granted that a day would come when everywhere about the earth, plough and culture, light tramways and good roads, an ordered security, would prevail. But now, he doubted.”
November 1, 2019
First and foremost, the writing is good and the low-grade mark is because the author is up there on a lofty higher than high summit and should have done much better.
A short story of H.G. Wells' many science fiction tales. A fabulous idea not brought up to its full potential. This story is a quick read of Ants overtaking areas in parts of South America. They are bigger and more formidable than any other species of ant. The crew of an investigating ship come upon larger than usual ants who have a collective programme of attack. In parts of Upper Amazon, a Brazillian Captain is sent with his vessel - the Benjamin Constant, to investigate. Onboard is a British engineer named Holroyd. The story is told from his perspective. Towards the end, is a rushed and speculative conclusion of how these ants will gradually take control of the South American continent over the oncoming years and more rushed and speculative theories of them progressing towards Europe. It is almost as though the idea for a full-blown novel was abandoned with this final speculative chapter. The idea of the ants manufacturing snake venom for a poison to attack bigger prey etc (Human beings) It all had the trappings and plan but seemed to have been abandoned for a speculative comic book theory ending. I think it was written for the Strand Magazine. A pity because I think H.G. Wells could have had another great work here. If he had spent more time on the development of a story. He had the ingredients but never bothered to cook it properly.
A short story of H.G. Wells' many science fiction tales. A fabulous idea not brought up to its full potential. This story is a quick read of Ants overtaking areas in parts of South America. They are bigger and more formidable than any other species of ant. The crew of an investigating ship come upon larger than usual ants who have a collective programme of attack. In parts of Upper Amazon, a Brazillian Captain is sent with his vessel - the Benjamin Constant, to investigate. Onboard is a British engineer named Holroyd. The story is told from his perspective. Towards the end, is a rushed and speculative conclusion of how these ants will gradually take control of the South American continent over the oncoming years and more rushed and speculative theories of them progressing towards Europe. It is almost as though the idea for a full-blown novel was abandoned with this final speculative chapter. The idea of the ants manufacturing snake venom for a poison to attack bigger prey etc (Human beings) It all had the trappings and plan but seemed to have been abandoned for a speculative comic book theory ending. I think it was written for the Strand Magazine. A pity because I think H.G. Wells could have had another great work here. If he had spent more time on the development of a story. He had the ingredients but never bothered to cook it properly.
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