# I have a new obsession and I don't care who knows it: Steampunk. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 14, 2011, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354 "2011-04-14T11:42:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/1 "2011-04-14T11:42:13Z")
After reading a couple of Steampunk books, I am all over this genre, which apparently was written just for me to squeeeee all over like a fangirrrrl. So, that said, recommendations for me to queue up books at my local library. Linky goodness for steampunky goodness. You know the drill: It’s new. It’s LURVE. I WANT IT ALL TO RUB MY JUNK ON and stuff. until something new and shinier catches my fancy. I demand satisfaction, I will throw you to the kracken from the dirigible. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/2 "2011-04-14T11:51:10Z")
If you haven’t already, check out the [steampunk entry on TvTropes](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SteamPunk), especially the literature section. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/3 "2011-04-14T11:52:28Z")
Kraken. Air kraken to be more precise. Come on over to [Brass Goggles:The lighter side of Steampunk](http://brassgoggles.co.uk/blog/). It tends to be a little British and DIY-Maker culture, but we have a great number of literate folks and a couple of pinned threads in the forums about what to read next. (I haven’t read any new Steampunk since “Fitzpatrick’s War,” but I have been reading the genre since Blaylock, Jeter and Powers were active.) I am also active on [http://www.thesteampunkempire.com/](http://www.thesteampunkempire.com/) which is more of a socail network type site but has lots of brassy pictures. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/4 "2011-04-14T12:24:57Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > If you haven’t already, check out the [steampunk entry on TvTropes](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SteamPunk), especially the literature section. Ok, that picture with Lincoln and the armed weapon is SUPER AWESOME! ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/5 "2011-04-14T12:28:36Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Kraken. Air kraken to be more precise. > > Come on over to [http://brassgoggles.co.uk/blog/](http://brassgoggles.co.uk/blog/). It tends to be a little British and DIY-Maker culture, but we have a great number of literate folks and a couple of pinned threads in the forums about what to read next. (I haven’t read any new Steampunk since “Fitzpatrick’s War,” but I have been reading the genre since Blaylock, Jeter and Powers were active.) > > I am also active on [http://www.thesteampunkempire.com/](http://www.thesteampunkempire.com/) which is more of a socail network type site but has lots of brassy pictures. oooooooooooh. I think I just wet myself. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/6 "2011-04-14T12:31:15Z")
Steampunk is soooo 1980s. ---
**Author:** ![Double\_Foolscap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@Double\_Foolscap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Double_Foolscap)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/7 "2011-04-14T12:34:45Z")
I thought the appeal was that it was soooo 1890s? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/8 "2011-04-14T12:38:45Z")
It’s a comic, and it’s kind of fantasy-steampunk rather than straight steampunk, but Phil and Kaja Foglio’s [Girl Genius](http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20021104) is excellent. I’ve linked to the first strip for you. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/9 "2011-04-14T14:00:40Z")
Try [The Peshawar Lancers](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Peshawar_Lancers) by S.M. Sterling. Sort od a steampunk meets James Bond-ish adventure, if James Bond rode a horse in India. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/10 "2011-04-14T14:17:08Z")
On the music side, you’ll probably get a kick out of [Abney Park](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WrPWFn7e2c). ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/11 "2011-04-14T14:34:05Z")
And speaking of the Steampunk Empire, My page. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/12 "2011-04-14T14:41:02Z")
[The Light Ages](http://www.amazon.com/Light-Ages-Ian-R-MacLeod/dp/0441011497) by Ian R. MacLeod [The Iron Dragon’s Daughter](http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Dragons-Daughter-Fantasy-Masterworks/dp/057507605) by Michael Swanick Nonfiction: [Charles Babbage and the Difference Engine](http://www.amazon.com/Difference-Engine-Charles-Babbage-Computer/dp/0142001449/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302791807&sr=1-3) - The Science Museum in London sets out to build a Difference Engine from Charles Babbage’s plans, while telling the story of the Difference Engine and the problems Babbage faced in developing it. I’ve been to see the machine and it is mesmerizing (while it is not normally in operation they have a video of it running) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/13 "2011-04-14T20:14:58Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > It’s a comic, and it’s kind of fantasy-steampunk rather than straight steampunk, but Phil and Kaja Foglio’s [Girl Genius](http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20021104) is excellent. I’ve linked to the first strip for you. The Foglios define their genre as “gas-lamp fantasy,” not steampunk, although I suspect the Venn diagrams of the fans for both genres overlap almost perfectly. That being said, I give you [steampunk Star Wars.](http://ericpoulton.blogspot.com/search/label/steampunk%20star%20wars) ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/14 "2011-04-14T20:31:28Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > The Foglios define their genre as “gas-lamp fantasy,” not steampunk, although I suspect the Venn diagrams of the fans for both genres overlap almost perfectly. I think they’ve said that they were unaware of the term “steampunk” when they started “Girl Genius”, so they invented a term. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/15 "2011-04-14T20:38:30Z")
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, the graphic novel, is excellent. I’m told that the movie is awful. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/16 "2011-04-15T03:10:25Z")
These are all great starters. I expect more suggestions…more. I’ve put all the books on Q at the library. I want them _now_ Keep them coming! ---
**Author:** ![tugboats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9bd4f/32.png) [@tugboats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tugboats)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/17 "2011-04-15T03:14:56Z")
Oh shiiiiit, here is a thread I can get behind. I am TOO stoked about two different upcoming steampunk conventions in my area. Also, I told my friend I have nerf office wars at my new job and he is modding me a maverick nerf gun all decked out in antique-y looking paint and LED lights. Maybe I’ll post pics when I get it if I remember. Lucky me! ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/18 "2011-04-15T03:21:13Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Come on over to [http://brassgoggles.co.uk/blog/](http://brassgoggles.co.uk/blog/). It tends to be a little British and DIY-Maker culture, but we have a great number of literate folks and a couple of pinned threads in the forums about what to read next. (I haven’t read any new Steampunk since “Fitzpatrick’s War,” but I have been reading the genre since Blaylock, Jeter and Powers were active.) I haven’t been back there in a long time, and my account seems to have been purged, but I’m still toying with the notion of trying to write some fiction to go with the series of book titles we came up with for a fake-book hiding place thread. I’ve actually got about half an outline for _Miss Victoria and the Secret of the Steam Symphony_. ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/19 "2011-04-15T03:41:24Z")
[Dieselpunk](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dieselpunk#Dieselpunk) is the new steampunk. ---
**Author:** ![Anticounterrevolutionary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f04885/32.png) [@Anticounterrevolutionary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anticounterrevolutionary)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/20 "2011-04-15T05:14:15Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Nonfiction: [Charles Babbage and the Difference Engine](http://www.amazon.com/Difference-Engine-Charles-Babbage-Computer/dp/0142001449/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302791807&sr=1-3) - The Science Museum in London sets out to build a Difference Engine from Charles Babbage’s plans, while telling the story of the Difference Engine and the problems Babbage faced in developing it. I’ve been to see the machine and it is mesmerizing (while it is not normally in operation they have a video of it running) Fiction: _[The Difference Engine](http://www.amazon.com/Difference-Engine-Spectra-special-editions/dp/055329461X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302844116&sr=8-1)_ by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling. Legendary cyberpunk authors collaborate to kick off the steampunk movement by creating a world in which Charles Babbage succeeded in his ambition to build a mechanical computer. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354.md?page=2)