The Edwardian period was a time of great social and political change. While the British Empire was still dominant the threat from rival empires was growing, the lower-classes were gaining political representation and women’s suffrage was gathering momentum. The six texts in this critical edition are all notable for their imaginative portrayals of the future. The Battle of the Swash(1888) and The Struggle for Empire (1900) both hypothesize the future of the British Empire. Anti-British narratives of this kind are rare in this period, making these stories of particular value as a reaction against mainstream imperialism. Legions of the Dawn(1908) and The Affairs of John Bolsover(1911) look at the future from a feminist perspective. Though set against very different backgrounds, both explore the idea of dress as a key concept of gender roles. Legionshas men and women cross-dressing and acting out reverse gender roles, while John Bolsovershows a world where women have the right to vote, but must pass as men in order to have political power.

Finally, The Inheritors(1901) and A Lodge in the Wilderness(1906) are tales of empire set in Africa and both are romàns a clef. The Inheritors is of particular import for its use of both science fiction and feminism in telling a tale of corruption. This is the only critical edition of these novels. Essays and introductory matter explore the themes in the novels themselves, as well as the literary-historical context they appeared in. Supplementary material, including contemporary reviews and correspondence, allows for a fuller understanding of the works’ impact and importance. The edition will be of value to those researching late Victorian and Edwardian literature and culture, social and political history, empire studies and gender.