Bernard Shaw and H.G. Wells are among the best-known and most controversial literary figures of the twentieth century. Both were rebelliously critical of the social and political, familial and sexual conventions and structures of their time. They shared broadly similar interests, but their lifestyles differed sharply - as did their views on many subjects, including those discussed in their correspondence: religion, socialism, science, war and world history, the theatre, the profession of authorship, and more. The letters are always forthright, often abusive and quarrelsome, sometimes suggesting that the relationship cannot last. They are also often warm, good-natured, playful, and generous - reflecting a fundamental mutual respect and similarity of outlook, however contrasting the temperament and style. The great majority of the two writers’ correspondence is published here for the first time.

This volumes comprises the personal correspondence of Shaw and Wells through the course of their friendship of more than forty years, and includes and introductory essay by J. Percy Smith. The letters are fully annotated, and are accompanied by information about the circumstances under which each was written, to enable the reader to follow the course of the frequently tempestuous relationship.