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When I received the review copy of The Art of Steampunk in the mail, I set it on the top of the "To Do" pile on my desk and made a mental note to remember to offer the book as a freebie giveaway here on the GeekMom blog.
Two weeks and several reads later I've decided you can't have it. No giveaways here folks. It's all mine. The good news is you can get your own copy for just $19.95 ($13.43 if you pre-order it from Amazon); a price I find astonishingly affordable especially considering the incredible thought and care that went into not only the design, but the quality of printing for this slender volume.
One hundred twenty seven pages of glossy full color steampunk eye candy, the book features seventeen notable steampunk artists, makers and designers. Authored by Art Donovan, the same artist/designer that curated the now legendary Steampunk exhibit at the Museum of the History of Science at Oxford University, the book serves as slim yet meaty primer to steampunk art and design. All of the artists included in the book were also featured in the Oxford exhibit, so if you were unable to attend in person, Donovan's book is the next best thing.
With creations ranging from the delightfully decorative (jewelry and accessories) to the impressively functional (clocks and engines) every page features something to inspire. And don't worry, if you're new to steampunk you are in good hands; a Steampunk 101 guide by scene historian G.D Falksen can be found on page thirty.
Whether you are a die-hard steampunk enthusiast or new to the scene this book is an essential addition to your library. And with the ranks of talented steampunk artists and designers ever increasing, one hopes Mr. Donovan writes a second volume soon.
