Dark Visions: An Illustrated Guide to the Amtrak Wars

Amtrak Wars

by Patrick Tilley, Fernando Fernández (illustrator)

Detailed artwork, maps, strips and narrative bringing to life visually the world of the trackers, the mutes and the iron masters - the three sets of inhabitants of the amtrak wars series.

Genres: Science Fiction

64 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1988

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I stumbled across this book yet again and had to stop and read it - its a short book less than 70 pages long so I am sure I can justify the distraction. Either way there is a lot of sentimental connection to this book, I guess that is why I love reading it even with its flaws.

After all the artwork is basic and entries a little heavy handed (you can see this was written for the fans) but it had bigger problems too - the series itself was not complete at the time of this publication - in fact it was over a year (or even longer) before the series was finished - much to my frustration.

However this book and the series it was based on was part of my early exploration of reading and as such I can never resist picking it up and flicking through the pages.


Always a dangerous thing sorting out your bookcases as you are always going to find something you didn't plan on seeing and "just" have to stop and read it.

Well after a major relocation of my library I can promise you this will be a regular occurrence - just was not expecting it to happen just so soon.

Anyway on to the Illustrated Guide to the Amtrak Wars a series as was absolutely enthralled with while at school. I will admit that the book always confused me a little as it was clearly published before the series was completed (and I suspect now, actually before the last instalment was written).

At the time (okay it still does a little now) frustrate me how long it took for the last book to come out and I am still not sure I am happy with the way it ended, maybe I should read it again now I have grown up a little. Anyway a great visual guide to a totally escapist series from an unlikely author. True looking back the books were definitely a result of a world I feel we have since moved on from but still a fun read and window in my more exuberant reading days.


This is a book from my past - I read the Amtrak wars with hungry fascination as they were released (don't get me started on how long it took them to release the 6th and final volume). its a fascinating look inside the world created from the books - from the land trains to technology and life styles - a general glossary of terms and images of key scenes in the series - One thing to point out and I never got the reason for it then or now - the book really bases itself on the first 3 books in the series although the printing coincided with first 4 being printed. I thought the book was released too early and missed out on the material in the later books in the series - that said its still a fun read and I think an interesting addition to the novels.

[Ninja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty cool if you're into the Amtrak Wars. Fairly comprehensive list of people places and things for the first 3 books (though 4 were out at the time of this going to press).
Nice art and diagrams.
Not too much more text than what's in the Reference items.
More typos than I've seen in any other book.

[Brian Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who was/is into the Amtrak Wars series.
A to Z descriptions of people, places, events and equipment used in books 1 to 3.
Few spelling mistakes, and can be a bit of a dry read in places. Well illustrated with scenes from the books as well as some technical style drawings of uniforms, weapons and vehicles.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Full Review to Follow]

Re-reading this book (and series) for review purposes.