The Real World Of Victorian Steampunk

A look at the surprising nineteenth-century technology that inspires this literary and cultural movement: “I was very impressed by this book.” —SF Crowsnest In recent decades, steampunk has grown from a rather obscure subgenre of science fiction into a striking and distinctive style of fashion, art, design, and even music. It is in the written word, however, that steampunk has its roots—and in this book Simon Webb explores and examines the real inventions that underpin the fantasy. In doing so, he reveals a world unknown to most people today. Webb reveals the Victorian era as a surprising place: one of steam-powered airplanes, fax machines linking Moscow and St Petersburg, steam cars traveling at over 100 mph, electric taxis, and wireless telephones. It is, in short, the nineteenth century as you’ve never before seen it—a steampunk extravaganza of anachronistic technology and unfamiliar gadgets. Imagine Europe spanned by a mechanical internet, a telecommunication system of clattering semaphore towers capable of transmitting information across the continent in a matter of minutes. Consider too, the fact that a steam plane the size of a modern airliner took off in England in 1894. Drawing entirely on contemporary sources, we see how little-known developments in technology have been used as the basis for so many steampunk narratives. From seminal novels such as The Difference Engine to the steampunk fantasy of Terry Pratchett’s later works, this book shows that steampunk is at least as much solid fact as it is whimsical fiction.

A gorgeously illustrated history of the literary, film, and arts counterculture--now in paperback! Simultaneously a literary movement, ultra-hip subculture, and burgeoning cottage industry, steampunk is the most influential new genre to emerge from the late twentieth century. Spinning tales populated with clockwork leviathans, cannon shots to the moon, and coal-fired robots, it charts alternative histories in which the British Empire never fell and the atom remained unsplit. Spectacularly illustrated and international in scope, this comprehensive history explores steampunk's many intricate expressions in fiction, cinema, television, comics, and video games, and traces its evolution into a truly global aesthetic that has made its mark on art, architecture, fashion, and music. From the classic science-fiction of Jules Verne, H. G. Wells, and Mary Shelley, through the dystopian futurescapes of Cyberpunk, to the otherworldly imaginings of Hayao Miyazaki, Alan Moore, and China Miéville, author Brian J. Robb sets the key works of steampunk squarely under the lens of his brass monocle and ventures into a world where airships still rule the skies.

1855: The Industrial Revolution is in full and inexorable swing, powered by steam-driven cybernetic Engines. Charles Babbage perfects his Analytical Engine and the computer age arrives a century ahead of its time. And three extraordinary characters race toward a rendezvous with history—and the future: Sybil Gerard—a fallen woman, politician’s tart, daughter of a Luddite agitator Edward “Leviathan” Mallory—explorer and paleontologist Laurence Oliphant—diplomat, mystic, and spy. Their adventure begins with the discovery of a box of punched Engine cards of unknown origin and purpose. Cards someone wants badly enough to kill for…. Part detective story, part historical thriller, The Difference Engine is the collaborative masterpiece by two of the most acclaimed science fiction authors writing today. Provocative, compelling, intensely imagined, it is a startling extension of Gibson’s and Sterling’s unique visions—and the beginning of movement we know today as “steampunk!”

The Steampunk Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to the World of Steampunk The Steampunk Handbook is a captivating and informative exploration of the fascinating world of steampunk. This comprehensive guide delves into the origins and defining aesthetics of steampunk, showcasing its connection to the Victorian Era and the Industrial Revolution. Readers will be immersed in the unique fashion and clothing styles, as well as the literature, art, and technology that define the genre. From clockwork and gears to airships and steam engines, readers will discover the inventive contraptions and gadgets that make up the steampunk universe. The book also delves into the vibrant steampunk subculture, exploring the community, events, and festivals that bring enthusiasts together. Through engaging chapters on film, television, music, gaming, and architecture, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the wide-reaching influence of steampunk in popular culture. The book also explores the empowering representation of women in steampunk and the genre's relationship with science fiction. The Future of Steampunk chapter offers a glimpse into the evolving genre and its global growth, highlighting the current trends and innovations that shape its future. With its well-researched content and visually captivating illustrations, The Steampunk Handbook is a must-read for anyone intrigued by this genre that blends history with imagination.

“Wonderful essays on everything steampunk, written by well-known names in the movement who are living steampunk every day” (Wired.com). Steampunk—a grafting of Victorian aesthetic and punk rock attitude onto various forms of science-fiction culture—is a phenomenon that has come to influence film, literature, art, music, fashion, and more. The Steampunk Bible is the first compendium about the movement, tracing its roots in the works of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells through its most recent expression in movies such as Sherlock Holmes. Its adherents celebrate the inventor as an artist and hero, re-envisioning and crafting retro technologies including antiquated airships and robots. A burgeoning DIY community has brought a distinctive Victorian-fantasy style to their crafts and art. Steampunk evokes a sense of adventure and discovery, and embraces extinct technologies as a way of talking about the future. This ultimate manual will appeal to aficionados and novices alike as author Jeff VanderMeer takes the reader on a wild ride through the clockwork corridors of Steampunk history. Praise for The Steampunk Bible “An informed, informative and beautifully illustrated survey of the subject.” —The Financial Times “The Steampunk Bible is far and away the most intriguing catalog of all things steam yet written.” —The Austin Chronicle

"The science-fiction genre known as steampunk juxtaposes futuristic technologies with Victorian settings. This fantasy is becoming reality at the intersection of two scientific fields-twenty-first-century quantum physics and nineteenth-century thermodynamics, or the study of energy-in a discipline known as quantum steampunk"--

Praise for The Violent Century “The Violent Century is a very sophisticated blend of fantasy and real life. Of flawed superheroes engaging with key events in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Lavie Tidhar is a veteran of seamlessly weaving an intriguing blend of fiction into world changing historical events.” —Strange Alliances “The Violent Centuryis a wonderfully constructed, crafted work that bears a great emotional weight even as it raises more intellectual questions. It’s the kind of work that lingers in the mind long after the reading.” —Fantasy Literature “Heart, a sly sense of humour, great action set-pieces and a range of fascinating supporting players.” —Newtown Review of Books “A brilliantly etched phantasmagoric reconfiguring of that most sizzling of eras—the twilight 20th . . . a torrid tour de force.” —James Ellroy, author of L.A. Confidential and Blood’s a Rover “A brilliant novel of ideas.” — B&N Book Blog “The Violent Century is admirably plotted and well paced, with an atmosphere of menace throughout, I’m puzzled as to why this wasn’t on any award shortlist for its year.” —Jack Deighton, author of A Son of the Rock “Like Watchmen on crack.” —io9 “If Nietzche had written an X-Men storyline whilst high on mescaline, it might have read something like The Violent Century.” —Adam Roberts, author of Jack Glass “Pack your bags and go home; the superhero genre is now completed . . . if John le Carre wrote a superhero novel about the Cold War, it might be this good.” —Charles Stross, author of Neptune’s Brood: A Space Opera “The Violent Century is a brilliant story of superheroes and spies and secret histories. It stands with Alan Moore’s Watchmen as an examination of the myths that we made in the 20th Century and the ways they still haunt us now. it’s as dramatic and vital as the best comic books and as beautifully written and evocative as any literary novel today. Read it. You’ll see.” — Christopher Farnsworth, author of Blood Oath and Flashmob “An alternative history tour-de-force. Epic, intense and authentic. Lavie Tidhar reboots the 20th century with spies and superheroes battling for mastery—and the results are electric.” —Tom Harper, author of The Lost Temple “A stunning masterpiece” —The Independent “Tidhar synthesises the geeky and the political in a vision of world events that breaks new superhero ground.” —The Guardian “It’s hard, but not impossible as Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, Mike Carey and others have shown, to create a morally complex, artistically ambitious story based on characters whose origins are not that far removed from the simplicity of Superman, Spiderman, and their ilk. Tidhar has succeeded brilliantly in this task.” —LA Review of Books “A sophisticated, moving and gripping take on 20th century conflicts and our capacity for love and hate, honour and betrayal.” —The Daily Mail “A love story and meditation on heroism, this is an elegiac espionage adventure that demands a second reading.” —Metro “Could keep anyone, regardless of the types of stories they regularly enjoy, interested and engaged. Tidhar has created a book that oozes excellence in both characterisation and storytelling.” —The Huffington Post [STARRED REVIEW]"This study in heroism, love, revenge, and violence will be in demand by lovers of complex, intelligent sf and alternative history. Anyone who enjoys stories of people with supernatural abilities will thrive reading Tidhar’s world.” —Library Journal “A terrifically told tale of heroism and enduring friendship that captures our imaginations from the very first page.” —Booklist “If you love Philip K. Dick, Lavie Tidhar should be your new favorite writer . . . an unforgettable read.” —The Jewish Standard “He’s dealing with the grandest schemes on the largest of backdrops in time and place, and this level of awe-inspiring craft places him firmly within the highest tier of writers working today, no longer an emerging writer, but a master.” —British Fantasy Society “Intense and evocative.” —SFX “Gripping, imaginative and moving.” —Sci Fi Now “The sort of thing Quentin Tarantino did as bloody wish-fulfillment in Inglourious Basterds, multiplied by several orders of magnitude.” —Locus “This is a novel that can break your heart and then, ever so subtly, include a cameo by Stan Lee. Tidhar clearly knows as much about supermen of all kinds as he does about the circumstances that produce them.” —Strange Horizons “The Violent Century is an excellent novel that demonstrates, once again, the impressive versatility of its author.” —Interzone “A masterful example of alternate universe science fiction and can only add to its author’s rapidly growing reputation.”— The Los Angeles Review of Books “An original, engrossing fusion of noir-ish super-heroes and gritty espionage thriller . . . a fantastic novel” —Civilian Reader “Lavie Tidhar is no longer a rising star in the genre, but one burning bright.” —Staffer’s Book Review Praise for the Campbell Award and Neukom Literary-winning novel Central Station An NPR Best Book of 2016 An Amazon Featured Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Book A Tor.com Best Book of 2016 A Guardian Best SF & Fantasy Book of 2016 A Publishers Weekly Staff Pick A Kirkus Best Science Fiction and Fantasy pick British Science Fiction Award, shortlist Arthur C. Clarke Award, shortlist “It is just this side of a masterpiece — short, restrained, lush — and the truest joy of it is in the way Tidhar scatters brilliant ideas like pennies on the sidewalk.” —NPR Books [STARRED REVIEW] "Readers of all persuasions will be entranced.” —Publishers Weekly [STARRED REVIEW] “. . . a fascinating future glimpsed through the lens of a tight-knit community. Verdict: Tidhar (A Man Lies Dreaming; The Violent Century) changes genres with every outing, but his astounding talents guarantee something new and compelling no matter the story he tells.” —Library Journal, starred review "A sprawling hymn to the glory and mess of cultural diversity.” —Guardian ”Quietly enthralling and subtly ingenious.” —Asimov's Science Fiction “Beautiful, original, a shimmering tapestry of connections and images - I can't think of another SF novel quite like it. Lavie Tidhar is one of the most distinctive voices to enter the field in many years.” —Alastair Reynolds, author of the Revelation Space series “If you want to know what SF is going to look like in the next decade, this is it.” —Gardner Dozois, editor of the bestselling Year’s Best Science Fiction series “A dazzling tale of complicated politics and even more complicated souls. Beautiful.” —Ken Liu, author of The Paper Menagerie “Central Station is masterful: simultaneously spare and sweeping—a perfect combination of emotional sophistication and speculative vision. Tidhar always stuns me.” —Kij Johnson, author of At the Mouth of the River of Bees “ A unique marriage of Philip K. Dick, William Gibson, C. L. Moore, China Miéville, and Larry Niven with 50 degrees of compassion and the bizarre added. An irresistible cocktail.” —Maxim Jakubowski, author of the Sunday Times bestselling Vina Jackson novels Praise for Unholy Land “Lavie Tidhar does it again. A jewelled little box of miracles. Magnificent.” —Warren Ellis, author of Gun Machine “[STARRED REVIEW] Readers of all kinds, and particularly fans of detective stories and puzzles, will enjoy grappling with the numerous questions raised by this stellar work.” —Publishers Weekly “It’s precisely what we’ve come to expect of Tidhar, a writer who just keeps getting better.” —Angela Slatter, author of the World Fantasy Award-winning The Bitterwood Bible “There are SFF writers. There are good SFF writers. And there is Lavie Tidhar . . . Bold and witty and smoky, [Unholy Land] plays games and coquetries, makes dark dalliances and will leave you dazzled and delighted.” —Ian McDonald, author of Time Was and Luna: Wolf Moon "A genius, dreamlike fantasy for those who slip across might-have-been worlds.” —Saad Z. Hossain, author of Escape from Baghdad! “Unholy Land is a stunning achievement.” —The Speculative Shelf “Lavie Tidhar has given us a mystically charged, morally complex vision of Theodor Herzl’s famous Jewish state that might have been.” —James Morrow, author of The Last Witchfinder and Shambling Towards Hiroshima “Lavie Tidhar’s daring Unholy Land brilliantly showcases one of the foremost science fiction authors of our generation.” — Silvia Moreno-Garcia, World Fantasy Award-winning editor and author of Certain Dark Things “Unholy Land is probably better than Michael Chabon’s Yiddish Policeman’s Union.” —Bradley Horner, author of the Darkside Earther series

This handbook offers analysis of diverse genres and media of neo-Victorianism, including film and television adaptations of Victorian texts, authors’ life stories, graphic novels, and contemporary fiction set in the nineteenth century. Contextualized by Sarah E Maier and Brenda Ayres in a comprehensive introduction, the collection describes current trends in neo-Victorian scholarship of novels, film, theatre, crime, empire/postcolonialism, Gothic, materiality, religion and science, amongst others. A variety of scholars from around the world contribute to this volume by applying an assortment of theoretical approaches and interdisciplinary focus in their critique of a wide range of narratives—from early neo-Victorian texts such as A. S. Byatt’s Possession (1963) and Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea (1966) to recent steampunk, from musical theatre to slumming, and from The Alienist to queerness—in their investigation of how this fiction reconstructs the past, informed by and reinforming the present.