Fake news abounds. Russia is stirring up civil unrest in Britain. Aliens are blamed for job losses. Free trade is accused of causing factory closures. People are losing faith in democracy.

 

Trump’s America? Brexit Britain? No, this is the world of the invasion scare novel, 1871 to 1914. Four hundred of these novels came from the pens of hundreds of authors: antediluvian admirals, early retired army officers, literary authors with no defence experience. All vied to terrify the British population with their lurid tales of invasion followed by massacre, fired-stormed cities and starvation.

 

Many of the books were racy best sellers. Some were laughably ridiculous. All now offer a fascinating insight into the mind of a nation gripped by invasion fever.On the surface, the books seem to be no more than harmless fantasising. But a closer examination reveals authors and backers determined to use the fear of invasion to undermine Parliament and political parties. They disgorged a hatred of foreigners, a fear of immigrants and a distrust of Europe that resulted in the First World War.

 

The books offer, in short, a morality tale for our times.Be Very Afraid! looks at a sample of about 50 of the 400 scaremongering novels published in Britain between 1871 and 1914.