them from the caverns. Predictions Set in 1964, the novel correctly identifies Queen Elizabeth II as the reigning monarch of Britain although she was only third in the line of succession when the novel was published in 1935 and became queen only in 1952. An early passage in the book describes the comic-military reactions of Germany, which in 1935 was under Nazi rule, towards potential violations of their airspace by the protagonist's descending rocket plane. That suggests Wyndham considered it possible that the Third Reich would survive at least another 30 years into the future, an expectation of totalitarian regime longevity that is mirrored by his similar projections of the continued existence of the Soviet Union into the 21st century in The Outward Urge. The novel also references the Piltdown Man, which had not yet been exposed as a hoax at the time of publication. References Bibliography 1935 British novels 1935 science fiction novels British science fiction novels Novels by John Wyndham Fiction set in 1964 Works published under a pseudonym Novels set in subterranea Lost world novels Novels set in the future Debut science fiction novels 1935 debut novels George Newnes Ltd books Fictional fungi