Book: The Martian War

The Martian War:
A Thrilling Eyewitness Account of the Recent Alien Invasion as Reported by Mr. H. G. Wells
by Gabriel Mesta

This book by the author of Dune is quite interesting and creatively combines various characters from some of the works of H. G. Wells. It is written as an account of something which could have inspired H. G. Wells' writings.

Indeed, Wells and his student love, Miss Jane Robbins are main characters, along with Professor Huxley and Dr. Moreau! The Invisible Man features as one of the many scientists working in the Queen's secret laboratory. They are trying to develop technology to help Britain in the war which they can see coming in Europe. However, something even more threatening and evil is rudely thrust into their focus.

The Martians.

Part of the book is in the form of Dr Moreau's journal. It's quite good and allows the reader to learn what Moreau is like. It also recounts a few grisly experiments of Moreau's which I found disgusting.

Read the Author's Note printed before the prologue:

"During extensive historical research undertaken by the author in writing this book, it became sadly but abundantly apparent that the events set forth in this novel did not, in fact, occur.

    However, with the benefit of more than a century of hindsight, one can see that this is indeed how history should have happened."

This is a fairly light read which I think is quite good. It combines various parts of Wells' writings (characters etc) creatively, to make something which I think Wells' fans will enjoy.

"The Land Ironclads" Wargaming Ruleset is Soon to Be Released

Well it seems that a set of Victorian Science Fiction rules is due to appear on the market quite soon. Titled The Land Ironclads, it is from Wessex games and is made to be compatible with the Aeronef ruleset -  one could have a seamless air-land battle.  There are stats for over 200 vehicles, so that should allow for a lot of diversity. The ruleset is designed for large scale VSF battles with 2mm miniatures.

Brigade Models is developing a line of miniatures for the ruleset. The full line is not yet out, however there are some German and British miniatures listed on Brigade's website.

A Guide on Etiquette

Baron Verndorf of the Brass Goggle Steampunk Forum has recently begun work on a "Modern Steampunk's Guide to Etiquette." It looks very good, you may check out his work in progress over at his journal: Antique Etiquette for a Modern Steampunker . 

After such a work as the Baron's is finished, how should such a work be made available to the wider community? Posting a new thread on a forum to link people to it's location is only temporary. Granted, the website with the e-text may well stay up for some time, however unless the author has a fairly popular site few people will find it after the forum's thread gets buried. For such things as this a larger site hosting or containing links to Steampunk resources would be useful. I advocate such a site because it would be a most excellent way to collect the writings of the steampunk community into one collective resource, thus making their works more easily accessible for their audience.