Boilerplate is an ambitious book, rich with detail that makes the story feel about as real as anything you can get from a history book. Guinan and Bennett have constructed an alternate history which lies so close to the real thing that I promise you you'll be checking Google and Wikipedia to see if what they're saying is true or not. I'm still not entirely sure that Boilerplate, the robot, didn't exist. He appears, Zelig-like, in photo after photo with historical figures and yet blends into the background as if he was nothing very much out of the ordinary. The main reason for the brilliance of this book is the deft way the visuals are handled. The text itself is a bit dry, though it does have a history-book feel to it which works well under the circumstances. If pastiche was the intention, then it's well done.
But the book isn't just a wonderful fantasy. Folded into the history is a pointed commentary on subjects which are still pertinent a century later. Boilerplate is a mute witness to to early movements for workers' and women's rights. It fights alongside the Buffalo Soldiers and sees action in the Philippine-American War, Spanish-American War and WWI, fighting both in the trenches and with T. E. Lawrence, in Arabia. While the narrative never becomes preachy, only a fairly obtuse reader could fail to understand the point of history as it's presented here. This is not a book likely to appeal to people whose beliefs run to the right of the political spectrum.
"Robot", a word not in existence when Boilerplate itself was supposed to have been created, derives from a word that means "forced labor." (Karel Capek, R.U.R., 1920) Even the name, "Boilerplate" suggests a kind of non-existence, something that only serves as a model for the real thing. Created as a replacement for soldiers, Boilerplate is intended to save lives in time of war. Sadly, what he foreshadows is mechanized warfare, increasingly removed from human concerns. There's a nice tension between our knowledge of what Boilerplate represents, and his thoroughly anthropomorphized features -- his human form and a face that registers perpetual surprise, between his utter lack of personality and the concern his creator feels for him as he strides into battle.
The questions raised by this book aren't easy ones, but they're raised in a way that does allow us to choose the level on which we read. Boilerplate is still a ripping fantasy adventure.
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Boilerplate: History's Mechanical Marvel Hardcover – October 1, 2009
by
Paul Guinan
(Author),
Anina Bennett
(Author)
|
Paul Guinan
(Author)
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Print length168 pages
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LanguageEnglish
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PublisherHarry N. Abrams
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Publication dateOctober 1, 2009
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Grade level8 and up
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Reading age15 - 17 years
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Dimensions8.5 x 1 x 11 inches
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ISBN-100810989506
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ISBN-13978-0810989504
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Paul Guinan and Anina Bennett have been collaborating on comics and graphic novels since 1989, including the Eisner Awardnominated science-fiction comic series Heartbreakers. Paul is an artist and writer whose clients include the History Channel and the Cartoon Network. Anina is a writer and editor who has worked with Dark Horse Comics and international publisher Egmont. They live in Portland, Oregon.
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Product details
- Publisher : Harry N. Abrams (October 1, 2009)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 168 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0810989506
- ISBN-13 : 978-0810989504
- Reading age : 15 - 17 years
- Grade level : 8 and up
- Item Weight : 2.4 pounds
- Dimensions : 8.5 x 1 x 11 inches
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Best Sellers Rank:
#1,115,393 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,371 in Movie History & Criticism
- #62,552 in Science Fiction (Books)
- #87,021 in Fantasy (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
81 global ratings
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2013
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3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2011
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History is often made by unknown individuals, with credit going to those who happen to be in positions of authority. This is somewhat the case with the automaton who is the subject of this book. Supposedly constructed the early 1890's for the purpose of replacing human soldiers, and unveiled in 1893 at the Chicago Worlds Fair, the robot traveled the world with his inventor and participated in many of significant historical events of the era.
Like Forrest Gump, Boilerplate rubs shoulders with the movers and shakers of his time, and was well known to his contemporaries, but came to be largely forgotten after he was no longer in the public eye.
The excellence of this book is illustrated by the fact that significant numbers of readers don't realize it is a work of fiction. Hundreds of "archival" images "prove" that the robot served with Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders, Lawrence of Arabia, and General Pershing, pursued Pancho Villa through northern Mexico, and traveled to the Antarctic and to the Yukon. Every photograph, dime-novel cover, hand-tinted postcard, movie poster and newspaper caricature is perfectly done in the appropriate style of the era. Boilerplate's existence is thus better "documented" than any character in classical fiction or for that matter, anyone in the Bible.
The book is actually a history lesson of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, made so much more interesting by seeing them through the eyes of Archibald Campion, the robot's inventor. Over the 25 year span of the adventure, the robot saves the lives of a polar expedition, outpaces the Duryea brothers first automobile, sparks a popular series of adventure novels, inspires cubist painters, stars in silent movies, fights valiantly in several wars, and continued to show up in pop culture for decades following its disappearance in combat in 1918. I was delighted to "learn" that Hanna Barbera even had a '70's Saturday morning cartoon show based on Boilerplate's adventures, (which I was somehow unaware of at the time).
The text is written in the style of the time, which is to say, it assumes a certain level of literacy, and isn't "dumbed down" to a lower grade level. The exploits of Boilerplate and Campion are described with considerable understatement, as was the custom, rather than the now current excessive use of superlatives.
Those who enjoy the writing style of period authors such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Jules Verne, or H.G. Wells will likely feel very comfortable with this book. This style of writing perfectly complements the authentic-appearing photographs and illustrations which are profusely spread on every page.
I enjoyed every minute of this smashing tale.
Like Forrest Gump, Boilerplate rubs shoulders with the movers and shakers of his time, and was well known to his contemporaries, but came to be largely forgotten after he was no longer in the public eye.
The excellence of this book is illustrated by the fact that significant numbers of readers don't realize it is a work of fiction. Hundreds of "archival" images "prove" that the robot served with Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders, Lawrence of Arabia, and General Pershing, pursued Pancho Villa through northern Mexico, and traveled to the Antarctic and to the Yukon. Every photograph, dime-novel cover, hand-tinted postcard, movie poster and newspaper caricature is perfectly done in the appropriate style of the era. Boilerplate's existence is thus better "documented" than any character in classical fiction or for that matter, anyone in the Bible.
The book is actually a history lesson of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, made so much more interesting by seeing them through the eyes of Archibald Campion, the robot's inventor. Over the 25 year span of the adventure, the robot saves the lives of a polar expedition, outpaces the Duryea brothers first automobile, sparks a popular series of adventure novels, inspires cubist painters, stars in silent movies, fights valiantly in several wars, and continued to show up in pop culture for decades following its disappearance in combat in 1918. I was delighted to "learn" that Hanna Barbera even had a '70's Saturday morning cartoon show based on Boilerplate's adventures, (which I was somehow unaware of at the time).
The text is written in the style of the time, which is to say, it assumes a certain level of literacy, and isn't "dumbed down" to a lower grade level. The exploits of Boilerplate and Campion are described with considerable understatement, as was the custom, rather than the now current excessive use of superlatives.
Those who enjoy the writing style of period authors such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Jules Verne, or H.G. Wells will likely feel very comfortable with this book. This style of writing perfectly complements the authentic-appearing photographs and illustrations which are profusely spread on every page.
I enjoyed every minute of this smashing tale.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2010
Verified Purchase
Being totally new to the "graphic novel" I ordered this book thinking it was such. Like at least one other, I did not read the description (or the reviews) very well. When I received and thumbed though the book I was beside myself in joy. This is from a feet (and knuckles) on the ground middle aged, grease under his nails DYI mechanic, and steam power plant operator. This book is absolutely wonderful. Done in the vein of an illustrated encyclopedia or maybe a middle school history text, it is both beautiful and fanciful. I wish to give the book six or more stars because of the book and the reviews it generated (humorous on their own). It is a very interesting piece of historical/Science/steampunk fiction. Fun, Humorous, Beautiful, It even Feels good in the hands. Note: reviewer "jds" is either very funny or very unaware person.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries
Mr. C Statham
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fantastic Faux-History Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 10, 2011Verified Purchase
Boilerplate is a concept that is difficult to describe. Clearly playing on a love of steampunk - The idea of sufficiently advanced technology in the Victorian Steam Age, the authors have taken the opportunity to develop a full set of characters and ideas around the theme. The result is something much deeper than the average steampunk novel, as the character of Boilerplate and his creator are integrated into a variety of real-life scenarios and the like, such as the Columbian Exposition of 1893 and interactions with Teddy Roosevelt and Nikola Tesla, amongst others. The effect is quite impressive, since it treats history respectfully and Boilerplate does not seem at all intrusive. Even more impressive are the variety of adventures and the like Boilerplate takes part in, varying from his debut at the aforementioned convention, and his disappearance in the First World War. Tantalisingly, Guinan and Bennett offer an idea of a possible follow up concept.
The book is nicely designed, with a relatively tough and sturdy cover, and a comprehensive, timeline-based layout that follows the fortunes and misfortune of Boilerplate's creators and the robot himself. The pages of the book are high quality and easy to follow, with simple text that tells you all you need to know, and a variety of Boilerplate illustrations, ranging from carefully done photos to humorous caricatures.
For anyone who enjoys the concept of steampunk, this is perhaps an interesting, real-world take, yet it may be a little too grounded in reality for lovers of fiction. Regardless, it is a fascinating read for anyone, and has already changed my perspective on my current project as a fine artist. Highly recommended.
The book is nicely designed, with a relatively tough and sturdy cover, and a comprehensive, timeline-based layout that follows the fortunes and misfortune of Boilerplate's creators and the robot himself. The pages of the book are high quality and easy to follow, with simple text that tells you all you need to know, and a variety of Boilerplate illustrations, ranging from carefully done photos to humorous caricatures.
For anyone who enjoys the concept of steampunk, this is perhaps an interesting, real-world take, yet it may be a little too grounded in reality for lovers of fiction. Regardless, it is a fascinating read for anyone, and has already changed my perspective on my current project as a fine artist. Highly recommended.
2 people found this helpful
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David Evans
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good copy nabbed!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 9, 2021Verified Purchase
Picked up as a result of reference to the book in another publication. Looked interesting so searched for a copy on Amazon. Very pleased with the condition of the resulting purchase.
N R HOLMES
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2015Verified Purchase
Great product
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 2, 2016Verified Purchase
very clever book
Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars
El libro es una curiosa introducción de un robot victoriano en pasajes de la historia reciente
Reviewed in Spain on April 26, 2016Verified Purchase
Bellos dibujos y adaptaciones de fotografías para introducir en marcado carácter steam punk un robot victoriano como protagonista en hechos puntuales de la historia de finales del XIX y principios del XX
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