Jay StrongmanSteampunk: The Art of Victorian Futurism

If you love Steampunk or want to know more about it, get this book.Have you ever bought a book and wanted to show it to everyone? Steampunk: The Art of Victorian Futurism is that kind of book.Yesterday, while doing "face time" with my daughter, I was showing her the pictures. I flipped through the pages as she leaned closer to her phone to see on the small screen. I'm sure she wasn't getting the full effect, but my excitement spurred her to squint and admire.So, why is the book so great?Four reasons:First and foremost, the pictures and illustrations. I'd estimate the book devotes two thirds of its pages to excellent, high quality photographs. I've included three in the post so you can have a little taste of what you'll get.It does a good job of exploring the literary roots of Steampunk, including a run down of authors who influenced the literary movement. I enjoyed the pictures of magazine covers from the old pulp-fiction writing of the 1800s.There's good coverage of early, middle, and contemporary Steampunk authors. I sometimes found the prose a little dull, but over all it held my interest.It addresses the sub-cultures that have emerged from the Steampunk literary movement: writers, books, magazines, fashion, art, cosplay, craftsmanship, music, conferences and exhibits.I expected The Art of Victorian Futurism to focus on the art, but the book went beyond my expectations. I have to give Jay Strongman kudos for selecting and showcasing excellent photographs and illustrations. Also, in the early chapters, he gives detailed background information on Steampunk's beginnings and the movement's progress up to 2011. He managed to be at once brief and detailed, a nice balance, which allowed him to devote much of the book to art.I recently reviewed another Steampunk book: The Steampunk Bible by Jeff Vandermeer. The strength of Vandermeer's book is that it devotes more space to the Steampunk movement in all its facets. There are some lovely pictures as well, but the emphasis on Steampunk history, development, and current trends provides a solid knowledge base for anyone interested in the movement. I think the two books complement each other and provide a nice Steampunk library.I don't often give a book a 5 star rating. This deserves top rating.

The print paper, almost like photographs, magnificently well built book as are all the Steampunk library collective.Seemingly appear far more spendy than reality offers. I enjoy the creativity and abstractness* of the devices and clothing of the FANTASTIC imaginations of days past and still now.

I am a retired High school and junior college English teacher who, through self teaching, found a way to excite readers about the unique Victorian era. I like the funkiness of this book, the beautiful illustrations, the details, everything. I have spent hours devouring every section of this book. There was much more to this era than just romantic novels like Jayne Eyre. However I do love the tomes associated with it too! I became a literature/history junkie when I got into my first great history class in Texas Tech where I had one of the most interesting professors who made this subject come alive for me. We never did any fill in the blank sentence completions! We discussed, we role played the characters. I was hooked forever.

Both my boyfriend and I love steampunk so I decided to buy this book for the two of us. The artwork and photos in this book is beautiful. When it arrived we looked at it for 2 hours straight. Just as a FYI for people out there wanting to buy this for kids, there are a couple of topless photos of women in here.

saw this book at a airport bookstore and thought it would look great in my living room coffee table, and it does. awesome pictures of steampunk art, mostly modern of this and last decade. amazon had a great price, ended up purchasing two of them and one to give as a gift!

Amazing look at the "steampunk" concept from its earliest modern inception to the current makers who put together everything from bizarre lab equipment to replicas of time machines. The detail is beautiful and wide variety of items, from clothing to decorative arts is inspirational.

If you would like to see all of the different genre's of Steampunk art, this is the book for you. It's a very interesting read as it gives you a small taste of many different artist's tastes.

oh ya! I loves it. and will making steampunk are from now on. be warned that there are also sculptures in this book. ray goons, wow

Steampunk is rapidly becoming a cliche, with cog wheels appearing in the most unlikely places. I found this collection fresh and revitalising as it avoids many of the more obvious contenders and the downright silly. For steampunk to work visually and aesthetically there has to be a logic and a reason for the machinery. Just making it out of brass and sticking victorian debris on doesn't work.Jay Strongman the author has worked hard to present an overview that is visually captivating. You wish it had been an exhibition so you could have examined the works firsthand, but this is a good substitute. Some of the text could be a bit more detailed but there's a wide selection of artists show cased here and if you're looking for an overview that well produced and printed then this book doesn't go far wrong.

...with all the good and bad that implies.The good is that it's gorgeous, and showcases the work of some truly inspired creators.The bad is that there's not much about the actual process of creation, or anything that far beyond the art itself.Of its type it's excellent - well-produced and full of lovely imagery. For me, it's pretty expensive for something I doubt I'll re-read often, if ever.

Fantastic book, full of top quality photos and illustrations together with an interesting and informative Introduction.It makes you want to either collect steampunk items or try to make your own ( if only I had the skill and imagination ).Thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm sure I'll come back to it frequently.

It is always worth a bit of extra packing for overseas shipments. The spine was damaged.Many thanks!John

Great book for steampunk fans. Presented beautifully with a hard cover and filled with lots of interesting pictures. Full of wonderful ideas.