Summary
The Stolen Bacillus and Other Incidents is a collection of fifteen short stories that showcase H.
G.
Wells’s early mastery of science fiction, fantasy, and biting social satire.
Written with sharp wit and imagination, these stories explore the strange, the speculative, and the absurd, often with a humorous twist and a touch of irony.
The title story, The Stolen Bacillus, follows an anarchist who attempts to steal a vial of deadly bacteria from a scientist—only to discover he may have made a fatal miscalculation.
Other stories delve into bizarre inventions, curious natural phenomena, and odd encounters that reflect human folly, scientific overreach, and the unpredictable nature of discovery.