Lord of the World by Robert Hugh Benson is a thought-provoking and chilling dystopian novel that presents a bleak vision of the future. Set in the year 2000, the world is divided between East and West, with a dominant world government led by a charismatic and enigmatic leader known as the "Purifier".

The novel follows the journey of Oliver Brand, a young British politician who is drawn into the tumultuous events of this apocalyptic world. As he navigates the political and social landscape, he grapples with profound questions about faith, morality, and the nature of humanity.

Benson's writing is evocative and compelling, drawing readers into a bleak and unsettling world that feels all too real. The novel's exploration of themes such as religion, politics, and technology is both timely and timeless, offering a stark warning about the potential consequences of unchecked power and ideological extremism.

Overall, Lord of the World is a haunting and thought-provoking novel that will linger in the minds of readers long after they have finished it. Benson’s stark vision of a world on the brink of destruction serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith, compassion, and ethical responsibility in the face of darkness and despair.

Book Description:
“Mr. Benson sees the world, four or five generations hence, free at last from all minor quarrels, and ranged against itself in two camps, Humanitarianism for those who believe in no divinity but that of man, Catholicism for those who believe in no divinity but that of God.”

This apocalyptic novel from the early 1900's is sometimes deemed one of the first modern dystopias.