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The Steampunk Bible: An Illustrated Guide to the World of Imaginary Airships, Corsets and Goggles, Mad Scientists, and Strange Literature Hardcover – May 1, 2011

by Jeff VanderMeer (Author), S. J. Chambers (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 754 ratings

The Steampunk Bible: An Illustrated Guide to the World of Imaginary Airships, Corsets and Goggles, Mad Scientists, and Strange Literature is the ultimate resource to this fascinating world, as Jeff VanderMeer and S. J. Chambers take readers on a wild ride through the clockwork corridors of steampunk history.

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.

“An informed, informative and beautifully illustrated survey of the subject.” —Financial Times

“Far and away the most intriguing catalog of all things steam yet written.” —Austin Chronicle

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  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Harry N. Abrams
  4. Publication date
    May 1, 2011
  5. Dimensions
    7 x 0.88 x 10 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0810989581
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0810989580
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jeff VanderMeer is the New York Times–bestselling author of more than 20 books including novels and fiction anthologies. He has won the Nebula Award, the British Fantasy Award, and, three times, the World Fantasy Award and has been a finalist for the Hugo Award. He is the cofounder and assistant director of Shared Worlds, a unique fantasy and science fiction writing camp for teenagers. He lives in Tallahassee, Florida.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harry N. Abrams; First Edition (May 1, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0810989581
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0810989580
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.8 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.88 x 10 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 754 ratings

About the authors

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Previous page
  1. Jeff VanderMeer

    Jeff VanderMeer

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Called “the weird Thoreau” by the New Yorker, NYT bestseller Jeff VanderMeer has been a published writer since age 14. His most recent fiction is the critically acclaimed novel BORNE, which has received raves from the NYTBR, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and many more. Paramount Pictures has optioned BORNE for film.

    VanderMeer's Southern Reach trilogy was one of the publishing events of 2014, the trilogy made more than thirty year’s best lists, including Entertainment Weekly’s top 10. Paramount Pictures has made a movie out of the first volume of the Southern Reach, Annihilation, slated for release in 2018 and starring Tessa Thompson, Oscar Isaac, Gina Rodriguez, Natalie Portman, and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

    His nonfiction appears in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, the Guardian, and the Atlantic.com. VanderMeer also wrote the world’s first fully illustrated creative-writing guide, Wonderbook. With his wife, Ann VanderMeer, he has edited may iconic anthologies. He lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with two wonderful cats. His hobbies include hiking, reading, and bird watching.

    See more on the author's page
  2. S. J. Chambers

    S. J. Chambers

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    S.J. Chambers's fiction and nonfiction has appeared in a variety of publications, including Bookslut, Fantasy, the Baltimore Sun's Read Street Blog, Yankee Pot Roast, Tor.com, and the anthologies: Thackery T. Lambshead's Cabinet of Curiosities (HarperCollins), Zombies: Shambling Through the Ages (Prime Books), and The New Gothic (Stone Skin Press). She co-authored The Steampunk Bible (Abrams Image) with Jeff VanderMeer, which readers can now enjoy as a calendar. You can find out more at www.selenachambers.com.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
754 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this steampunk book thick with information, offering additional references and materials, and featuring tons of pictures and illustrations. Moreover, they appreciate how it takes a look at the roots of the Steampunk Movement, with one customer noting it's particularly useful for first-time initiates. Additionally, the book is easy to read, fun to hold and read, and serves as a great gift option.

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69 customers mention "Information quality"69 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thick with information and appreciate that it offers additional references and materials, with one customer noting its extensive coverage of alternate histories.

"...In addition, there are special sections and closer looks at certain topics written by well-known contributors, including a project you can do..." Read more

"...It introduces the idea, the history, and the philosophy of the steampunk movement, then gives encyclopedic explanations of a broad range of..." Read more

"...None-the-less, it is a wonderful book that does discuss all kinds of things that impact the subculture that emerged, including cospay, costuming,..." Read more

"...It's a good coffee table book/conversation starter. You wouldn't want an ebook version because the photos are what pull you in." Read more

52 customers mention "Illustrations"52 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's illustrations, which feature full-color art and tons of pictures, providing a great look at Steampunk.

"Without a doubt, this book lives up to its name. Inside the unbelievably beautiful cover--it lacks only the gilt-edged pages many bibles have--is an..." Read more

"This book is exactly what it says it is, a beautifully laid-out, densely packed, well-illustrated almanac of information, and at a reasonable price..." Read more

"...Artists will love this book because it's full of different types of art, from sculptures made of left over junk and pieces of metal to beautiful..." Read more

"...This is a fun book, very informative, lots of photos. Very well written and laid out...." Read more

47 customers mention "Value for money"47 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a good value, with one mentioning its extraordinary list of quality weblinks.

"...words, which I recommend, but it's very quick and definitely still worth it if all you want to do is look at the pretty pictures...." Read more

"...densely packed, well-illustrated almanac of information, and at a reasonable price to boot...." Read more

"...None-the-less, it is a wonderful book that does discuss all kinds of things that impact the subculture that emerged, including cospay, costuming,..." Read more

"...It goes for fashion, acceciries, nicknacks and so much more...." Read more

46 customers mention "Steampunk history"46 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's comprehensive coverage of Steampunk history, noting it provides a nice introduction to the genre and takes a look at its roots.

"...lacks only the gilt-edged pages many bibles have--is an excellent overview of Steampunk, in its incarnations as a literary and film genre, a..." Read more

"...It introduces the idea, the history, and the philosophy of the steampunk movement, then gives encyclopedic explanations of a broad range of..." Read more

"...has all those interesting stories I never knew about , explaining the beginning of steampunk, how it was developed, how It became a trend, how do..." Read more

"...Overall the value is in understanding the history of steampunk and the roots (including old b&w photos) of some of the crazy inventions tried..." Read more

13 customers mention "Ideas"12 positive1 negative

Customers find the book's ideas intriguing about the steampunk subculture, with one customer noting it's great for costume inspiration.

"...as a literary and film genre, a clothing aesthetic, and a sub-culture, from its roots and origins to its possible future...." Read more

"...It introduces the idea, the history, and the philosophy of the steampunk movement, then gives encyclopedic explanations of a broad range of..." Read more

"...with how quickly it introduces you to an idea, and then quickly takes you to another idea, without getting to involved into any one thing...." Read more

"...an influences along with how its effected fashion, art, film and pop culture. Its also riddled with diffrent steampunk related pictures...." Read more

11 customers mention "Entertainment value"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, with one mentioning it's fun to hold and read.

"...Galen Smith, who did a magnificent job making this book gorgeous and satisfying." Read more

"I read and or skimmed through this short book in one day. I did find it interesting and I highlighted a lot of passages in the book. What did I love?..." Read more

"...This is a fun book, very informative, lots of photos. Very well written and laid out...." Read more

"...This book has a fun vibe and tons of information! Tons of pictures and illustrations. Great coffee table book!..." Read more

11 customers mention "Readability"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, with interesting descriptive text and compelling writing.

"...This is a pretty quick and easy read even if you do actually read all the words, which I recommend, but it's very quick and definitely still worth..." Read more

"...This is a fun book, very informative, lots of photos. Very well written and laid out...." Read more

"...So compelling is the writing, and so genuinely substantive are the issues it engages, that even if you don't know -- or care -- about &#..." Read more

"...art, photography and history of the movement in a book that is both easy to read and wonderful to look at...." Read more

9 customers mention "Gift value"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book makes a great gift, with one mentioning it's particularly suitable for art lovers.

"Was a gift.... person really enjoyed it. Made a great gift." Read more

"Great gift" Read more

"...It was a great graduation present!" Read more

"Fun gift for steampunk sister" Read more

Full Steam Ahead!
5 out of 5 stars
Full Steam Ahead!
Knowing of my interest in all things steampunk, the Wife bought this book for me from Amazon. While the book may not have the full range it might have had (and no book can really cover it completely because of steampunk's protean nature)it does give a good explanation of what steampunk is, where it came from and where is it going. It provides a very good jumping off point for further exploration into a fascinating lifestyle that does not rage at the machine as much as it embraces a machine "of a different hue." Of necessity, it is complete in an examination of steampunk's influence upon popular culture (films, television and music)simply because of the nature of publishing -- the book is fairly current to the eve of the manuscript's last revision, but steampunk has the temperament of a charging steam-elephant and will not be stopped; each passing day brings yet another inroad into general life. As the band Abney Park stated in a recent music video (complete with more than 200 images of steampunk inventions, some working, some decorative), there's a steampunk revolution coming, and we've reset the clock to 1886...don't ask us why, that's how we get our kicks.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Rachel Gray
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent look at Steampunk--and GORGEOUS to boot!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Without a doubt, this book lives up to its name. Inside the unbelievably beautiful cover--it lacks only the gilt-edged pages many bibles have--is an excellent overview of Steampunk, in its incarnations as a literary and film genre, a clothing aesthetic, and a sub-culture, from its roots and origins to its possible future. In addition, there are special sections and closer looks at certain topics written by well-known contributors, including a project you can do yourself. And as if that isn't enough, the book is also chock full of more beautiful pictures (some of them are even of beautiful book covers themselves). There are contraptions and costumes galore, in full color--or sepia-tones, as the case may be!

    This is a pretty quick and easy read even if you do actually read all the words, which I recommend, but it's very quick and definitely still worth it if all you want to do is look at the pretty pictures. I was looking forward to this book so much (on a boring day at work, I got an email from Amazon that it had shipped and I whispered "Steampunk Bible" over and over again to myself for probably five minutes...or maybe more) that it would have been nearly impossible for it to live up to my expectations--and yet, apart from the afore-mentioned lack of gilt-edged pages, it did! I loved it. I kind of hope it will soon be outdated by a huge influx of new Steampunk and Steampunk-related materials into our culture and our bookstores (and maybe clothing stores), but for now, this book is a must have.
    39 people found this helpful
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  • Alessandra Kelley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous, Fun Almanac of Info
    Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    This book is exactly what it says it is, a beautifully laid-out, densely packed, well-illustrated almanac of information, and at a reasonable price to boot. It introduces the idea, the history, and the philosophy of the steampunk movement, then gives encyclopedic explanations of a broad range of steampunk aspects, including music, literature, clothing, artmaking, and entertainment. There are numerous essays by major figures in the steampunk subculture. It even has a little craft project, etching your own designs on tin boxes.

    I was glad to see attention given to multiethnic steampunk artists and fans in this book.

    The physical book is just fun to hold and read. Its cover is a marvelous pastiche of overwrought gilded Victorian book covers, and the well-chosen illustrations enhance the experience. Kudos to the book's designer, Galen Smith, who did a magnificent job making this book gorgeous and satisfying.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Rhonda Jones
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting History of the Steampunk Genre
    Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I read and or skimmed through this short book in one day. I did find it interesting and I highlighted a lot of passages in the book. What did I love? Actually, the pictures, which all had a blurb discussing the origins of the pic or the point behind what the pic brings to the history of the steam punk genre and sub culture. Why only 4 stars instead of 5? Well, that is based on my own personal thoughts about the steampunk book genre versus the author's presentations. Understanding that I am no expert, whereas he has done a lot of research. So, in my opinion, A lot of the book talks about the original greats of Victorian sci-fi such as HG Wells and Jules Verne. No question, they were classics. But I do not think they were the driving force behind the 1970's and later explosion of the steampunk genre. Steampunk, to me, became popular as its own genre with the romanticism in the books, which was significantly influenced by female authors. Yet the many female authors in that genre of books is only a small part of the author's discussion. He does touch on Gail Corriger and a couple more. But he fails to give tribute, in my opinion, to how steampunk adventure romance books really helped steampunk to explode into and become its own very popular and distinct genre. None-the-less, it is a wonderful book that does discuss all kinds of things that impact the subculture that emerged, including cospay, costuming, jewelry making, as well as a few emerging steampunk conventions. It is a good book well worth purchasing if you like the genre.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Sapir
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is a book for artists, mechanics, history loves and most importently steampunk lovers!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    As an artist, a steampunk lover and a history nerd this is a book straight out of a dream. It has all those interesting stories I never knew about , explaining the beginning of steampunk, how it was developed, how It became a trend, how do people use/d it today and in the past. Artists will love this book because it's full of different types of art, from sculptures made of left over junk and pieces of metal to beautiful drawings and comics that capture the magic of steampunk. It goes for fashion, acceciries, nicknacks and so much more.

    I'm sure anyone who shares my interests will just adore this book as the prize it is.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Kimball J. Butler
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting stuff…
    Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Check out steampunk; weird and wonderful!
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  • Carla Fister
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Stuff
    Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Surprisingly, I'd never heard of steampunk until I was digging around on the internet for a certain type of jewelry I'd seen. This is a fun book, very informative, lots of photos. Very well written and laid out. Overall the value is in understanding the history of steampunk and the roots (including old b&w photos) of some of the crazy inventions tried decades ago while attempting to imagine what our world would be like today.

    I've always love the victorian era and my fascination for ongoing technology sorta puts me in this tribe. It's a good coffee table book/conversation starter. You wouldn't want an ebook version because the photos are what pull you in.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Mary Flahavin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great gift
    Reviewed in Australia on August 21, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Lots of fun steampunk information. A good read.
    Report
  • Robert Rau
    5.0 out of 5 stars La Bibbia dello Steampunk
    Reviewed in Italy on June 18, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Ho acquistato questo libro per fare un regolo ad un amico.
    Sono rimasto piacevolmente sorpreso dalla quantità e qualità del materiale contenuto.
    Questo libro, messo a confronto con altri più voluminosi e costosi, si è rivelato per
    molti aspetti qualitativamente migliore. Sono rimasto contento della mia scelta è posso
    in tutta onestà consigliarlo.

    Il mio amico, grande estimatore del genere, ne è rimasto molto contento.
    Report
  • Ashtree
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nice compendium of Steampunky treasures.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 26, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    The media could not be loaded.
    This is a nice hard-backed overview of all things Steampunk.

    If you're already heavily into the genre, I'd guess that you may be familiar with a lot of the material you'll find here, but I'd also be willing to bet that you'll find some new treasures too.

    Beautifully illustrated on high-quality paper, it covers everything from the historical roots of Steampunk all the way to its possible future directions. In between, you'll find sections on the literature, the graphic novels, the movies, the fashion, the artwork and 'toys', and frankly, just about everything else you could wish for.

    I've attached a short video flip-through, to give you a rough idea of the physical appearance of the book. As you'll see, while it's lavishly illustrated, it doesn't skimp on textual content at all.

    Personally (as a fan of most Steampunkiana) I purchased this mainly from curiosity and because it was by Jeff Vandermeer. I'm very glad I did. It's a delightful book, and I can't think of many ways it could have been improved... perhaps short of publishing it in Victorian-style antiqued leather, or something... now THAT would have been nice!

    Anyway, it's a great, well-produced book and at a low price. Definitely recommended.
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  • Arancha Chorot
    5.0 out of 5 stars 10
    Reviewed in Spain on April 19, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Era para un regalo y perfecto.
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  • René Castelo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Genial
    Reviewed in Mexico on December 5, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Simplemente es genial, te adentra al mundo del Steampunk y es recomendable para los novatos y avanzados. Un libro con gran contenido.
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