# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/21 "2011-04-15T06:36:42Z")
So is it the steam, the punk, or the Victorianess that does it for ya? IOW describe which works you have been exposed to and what appealed to you in those works. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/22 "2011-04-15T11:25:04Z")
Well, if you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, the [Computer History Museum](http://www.computerhistory.org/) looks like it may have extended the length of their [Babbage Difference Engine](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NRXOGVC9ts) exhibit. I was luck enough to see it myself, a year or two back. “Yeah, compute the _hell_ out of those logarithms!” Anyways… [Agatha H and the Airship City](http://www.amazon.com/Agatha-Airship-City-Girl-Genius/dp/1597802115) is the novelization of the start of the Girl Genius comic, by the original authors. Kim Newman’s [Anno Dracula](http://www.amazon.com/Anno-Dracula-Kim-Newman/dp/0857680838/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302866421&sr=1-1) isn’t strictly speaking “steampunk,” but it’s close enough that it might be able to tide you over. If comics will work, too, there’s [JLA: Age of Wonder](http://www.amazon.com/JLA-Age-Wonder-Elseworlds-Books/dp/B000VIWOOG) (spoiler: it has Tesla in it!); [Batman: Gotham by Gaslight](http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Gaslight-Elseworlds-Brian-Augustyn/dp/1401211534/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302866617&sr=1-1); and, of course, Alan Moore’s [League of Extraordinary Gentlemen](http://www.amazon.com/League-Extraordinary-Gentlemen-Vol/dp/1563898586/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302866650&sr=1-1), which is _much_ different from the movie. ---
**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, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/23 "2011-04-15T11:27:25Z")
I like the imagination, images, mixing technologies and mythologies and throwing in historical peeps or a new timeline. throw in lurid sex and I’m in. Don’t judge me. ---
**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 15, 2011, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/24 "2011-04-15T11:35:16Z")
… I’m judging you. From here. Can you feel my eyes as the knives of judgement? The judgement lasers? ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/25 "2011-04-15T11:44:35Z")
Read _The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack_ by Mark Hodder. Its awesome, and just look at the cover art! [http://astroguyz.com/2010/07/30/review-the-strange-affair-of-spring-heeled-jack-by-mark-hodder/](http://astroguyz.com/2010/07/30/review-the-strange-affair-of-spring-heeled-jack-by-mark-hodder/) ---
**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 15, 2011, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/26 "2011-04-15T14:03:21Z")
Not directly steampunk, but you might also enjoy the anthology [Shadows Over Baker Street](http://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Baker-Street-Michael-Reaves/dp/0345455282), which is a Sherlock Holmes/HP Lovecraft mashup. China Mieville has steampunkish elements to his fantasy, but his universe doesn’t intersect with any part of our universe, so it doesn’t totally fit. If you feel like giving it a shot, [Perdido Street Station](http://www.amazon.com/Perdido-Street-Station-China-Mieville/dp/0345443020). Another not-quite-fitting suggestion, but one that might be closer to having all the lelements you enjoy about Steampunk, is J. Gregory Keyes’s Age of Unreason series. It’s an alternate timeline in which alchemy, rather than physics comes out as the correct descriptive theory of our universe. Benjamin Franklin stars as our foxy young action hero. Start with [Newton’s Cannon](http://www.amazon.com/Newtons-Cannon-Age-Unreason-Book/dp/0345433785) ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/27 "2011-04-15T14:39:19Z")
If you want to go past just reading, the Haunters convention theme this year is SteanPunk and Art Nemo ------- you still have a couple weeks to plan for it. [http://www.nationalhauntersconvention.com/](http://www.nationalhauntersconvention.com/) And if you can get near Pittsburgh, check out Trundle Manor [http://twistedeyephoto.com/1919151/SSOASites/Title.html](http://twistedeyephoto.com/1919151/SSOASites/Title.html) ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/28 "2011-04-15T15:00:30Z")
Hey, me too. But I haven’t really read anything except for Girl Genius. It’s more tge aesthetic that appeals to me and I’ve been cruising Steampunk sites for design ideas. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/29 "2011-04-15T15:02:06Z")
I’ve been dabbling in steampunk models; here are pictures of my [Land Ironclad](http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z256/hilbyf/Land%20ironclad/), [Vickers Gomphothere](http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z256/hilbyf/Vickers%20Gomphothere/), and [Aerial Dreadnought](http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z256/hilbyf/Aerial%20Dreadnought/). ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/30 "2011-04-15T15:10:11Z")
There was an steampunk on Mars RPG called Space: 1889, but I don’t think it really took hold. Too bad. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/31 "2011-04-15T15:52:27Z")
> [@Rocketeer](#): > > I’ve been dabbling in steampunk models; here are pictures of my [Land Ironclad](http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z256/hilbyf/Land%20ironclad/), [Vickers Gomphothere](http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z256/hilbyf/Vickers%20Gomphothere/), and [Aerial Dreadnought](http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z256/hilbyf/Aerial%20Dreadnought/). Those look really cool! Thanks for sharing. I just came by to recommend _[Homunculus](http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1930235135/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/181-5546005-6222917)_ and _[Lord Kelvin’s Machine](http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0441499724/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/181-5546005-6222917)_. It isn’t easy finding copies of them sometimes but they are worth the effort hunting for them IMO. I actually have them collected in one volume called _[The Adventures of Langdon St. Ives](http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1596061707/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/181-5546005-6222917)_. Both novels are included plus several short stories. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/32 "2011-04-15T16:09:04Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > 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. I second this one. It’s one of my favorite works by Stirling. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/33 "2011-04-15T17:05:01Z")
Oh yea. I am all over Steampunk. There is just something about all of it that really floats my boat, particularly the clothing and the ability to play with history. We have a really fun festival here in town that I attend, and I look forward to it all year long. I’ve already got my outfit for this year’s event, and it’s not until September! 🙂 [Check it out](http://handcar-regatta.com/), especially the pictures, it’s quite a show! ---
**Author:** ![manx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/65b543/32.png) [@manx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manx)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/34 "2011-04-15T17:29:51Z")
There’s a lot of good/interesting YA fiction that is steampunkish. My current favourites are [Scott Westerfield’s new series](http://www.amazon.com/Leviathan-Scott-Westerfeld/dp/1416971742/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302887336&sr=8-1). Theyre’s two books so far _Leviathan_ and _Behemoth_. They’re set in an alternate WW1, where the European powers are divided between the British ‘Darwinists’, and Prussian ‘Clankers’. The Darwinists modify animals, (the titluar leviathan is a blue whale that has been modified to act as a massive airship), while the Clankers have massive steam-powered mecha. The actual plot is fun, too. I’ve also enjoyed a couple of [collections of short stories](http://www.amazon.com/Steampunk-Ann-VanderMeer/dp/1892391759/ref=pd_sim_b_1)put out by Tachyon. The first one is just called _Steampunk_, the second is _Steampunk Reloaded_. There’s some good stuff in there. There’s a really good blog called [Beyond Victoriana](http://beyondvictoriana.com/)which is about steampunk that mostly focuses on non-European stories and histories. It’s one of my favourites, and an excellent resource for finding new & different books. Count me in as a second vote for _The Difference Engine_. Finally, check out these guys, they’re awesome: [The Antipodean League of Temporal Voyagers](http://antipodeanleague.org) ---
**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, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/35 "2011-04-15T21:50:43Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > … I’m judging you. From here. Can you feel my eyes as the knives of judgement? The judgement lasers? Meh, I went to catholic school. You’re judgement doesn’t have enough shame or guilt involved. 🙂 ---
**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, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/36 "2011-04-15T21:59:30Z")
> [@Rocketeer](#): > > I’ve been dabbling in steampunk models; here are pictures of my [Land Ironclad](http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z256/hilbyf/Land%20ironclad/), [Vickers Gomphothere](http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z256/hilbyf/Vickers%20Gomphothere/), and [Aerial Dreadnought](http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z256/hilbyf/Aerial%20Dreadnought/). Those are really cool. You have alot of talent and patience! I’ve made notes and requests of all the books mentioned so far. Thanks! A couple came in at the library. Peshawar Lancers was one of them. (and a Pride and Prejudice continuation story, one of my _other_ obsessions. ) Why can’t I get paid good money to follow my obsessions compulsively? ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/37 "2011-04-15T22:09:16Z")
I just love this [site](http://steampunkworkshop.com/lcd.shtml), I’ve linked to the piece that makes me drool. Another vote for Girl Genius and the suggestion of Randall Garrett’s Lord Darcy series. ---
**Author:** ![pinguin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac8455/32.png) [@pinguin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinguin)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/38 "2011-04-16T03:24:48Z")
I wonder if you also love 19th century science fiction writers, like Poe, Verne and Wells. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/39 "2011-04-16T05:04:03Z")
If you are on Second Life, there are a number of Steampunk-related sims you can visit and, well, play at being a steampunker in a virtual environment. Here is the SLURL for one of the oldest and biggest steampunk sims: Caledonia: [http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon/225/143/24](http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon/225/143/24) If you are unfamiliar with Second Life, you will have to go get an avatar and the Second Life browser, it’s free: > **[Official Site | Second Life - Virtual Worlds, Virtual Reality, VR, Avatars,...](https://www.secondlife.com/)** > > Second Life's official website. Second Life is a free 3D virtual world and original metaverse where users can create, connect, and chat with others from around the world using voice and text. If you want to spend some time rolling around in steampunk, you can do that in Second Life. Heh. ---
**Author:** ![jellyblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@jellyblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jellyblue)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354/40 "2011-04-16T07:13:33Z")
I just read The Clockwork Man by William Jablonsky (I was supposed to do a review on it, but flaked out) - I really enjoyed it. If you want really quick reads, I write vignettes to go along with my steampunk art - you might like them: > **[WinonaCookie - Etsy](https://www.etsy.com/shop/winonacookie/?etsrc=sdt)** > > Shop Custom illustration, collage, nifty items by WinonaCookie located in San Diego, California. Just click on any picture to see the story. I’m pretty involved in the steampunk community here in San Diego - it’s a lot of fun. We’re having a [steampunk convention](http://www.gaslightgathering.org/vendors.html) in May. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-new-obsession-and-i-dont-care-who-knows-it-steampunk/578354.md?page=3)