This Misery of Boots is the expansion of a 1905 essay by H.G. Wells. He presents a very interesting view of society based on Wells’ observations on boots and the misery they cause to those unable to purchase well-fitting and well-designed boots. He advocates socialism as a way to solve this and other problems. He puts forward arguments that add a voice of support to working-class people of his time. Wells was an avowed socialist.
Herbert George Wells (1866–1946) was born in Bromley, England, to a working class family. His first novel, The Time Machine, was an instant success and Wells produced a series of science fiction novels which pioneered ideas about the future. His later work focused on satire and social criticism. Wells forecasted the rise of major cities and suburbs, economic globalization, and aspects of future military conflicts.
Chris MacDonnell is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and a classically trained actor and voice artist whose theater credits include London’s West End and the Royal National Theatre, British TV shows, BBC Radio drama, commercials, and films. He is also a published poet and has written comedy and drama for television shows.