Steampunk Soldiers: Uniforms & Weapons from the Age of Steam

Osprey Adventures

by Philip Smith, Joseph A. McCullough, Mark Stacey (Illustrator)

Steampunk Soldiers is a unique pictorial guide to the last great era of bright and colorful uniforms, as well as an important historical study of the variety of steam-powered weaponry and equipment that abounded in the days before the Great War of the Worlds.Between 1887 and 1895, the British art student Miles Vandercroft travelled around the world, sketching and painting the soldiers of the countries through which he passed. In this age of dramatic technological advancement, Vandercroft was fascinated by how the rise of steam technology at the start of the American Civil War had transformed warfare and the role of the fighting man. This volume collects all of Vandercroft's surviving paintings, along with his associated commentary on the specific military units he encountered.

Genres: Steampunk, Alternate History, Art, Science Fiction, Reference, Art and Photography, War

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 18, 2014

Reviews

[Magdalena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Steampunk Soldiers is a pictorial guide and a historical study of the variety of steam-powered weaponry and equipment before the Great War of the Worlds.

I found this book interesting to read because the different take on history with the rise of steam technology at the start of the American Civil War that change the world history. Unfortunately, I did find that the book dragged a bit. A much as I enjoyed reading about this alternative world was it just not always that interesting to read about the different soldiers. But I do admit that the pictures of them made the book a bit better! The part I liked best reading was the one about the American soldiers and the quite different turn of history with the Union winning the war.

I recommend this book to anyone that like weapons, soldiers and steampunk!

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!

[Mary Catelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

More steampunk soldiers in an alternate history. . . a bit more alternate and a bit less steampunk, I think. (Also, the alternate path seemed a bit less plausible to me with the detail added.) Some interesting possibilities.

[Jonathan Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every time I come to a product such as this I always start with the same explanation of my exposure to steampunk; it isn't huge. I'm fully aware of steampunk and it's alternative take on history, and the way it blends technological innovation with the capabilities of the period - and maybe even throw in something exotic to help things along - but other than a couple of books and a few other smaller things that exposed me to this popular genre I've never really had any involvement in it. I do like it, but I've never truly delved into it.

I think one of the things that has kept me from it is the fact that nothing has ever really reached out of the pages and grabbed me, convinced me that I should explore it more. I've always enjoyed it but I've never really been encompassed by it, or really wanted to dedicate any time to it. I think, with all the other things that I'm passionate about that take up my time, it'd take something pretty spectacular to make me want more.

If I was sucked into this world it'd have to be something in the tabletop roleplaying arena and I think Steampunk Soldiers: The American Frontier may be the first book I've read to make me want to choose an applicable gaming system and run a series of adventures in an Old West steampunk setting.

I like the idea of the Old West, but as an Englishman I may have an overly romantic view of the period; that frontier mentality, danger on the borders, the politics of the country, the brutal law and the radical lawlessness... yes, incredibly inaccurate historically but I'm not looking for accuracy in a roleplaying game like this, I'm looking for adventure. Running a straightforward Western RPG may not be right up my street, but add steampunk contraptions, an alternative American history and a couple of glorious Alamo Fortified Suits... seriously, go to page 31 and I guarantee that as a gamer you'll want to stat that baby straight away. I could get some serious mileage out of it.

The book itself is a full-colour hardback at 96 pages, and is illustrated throughout. The book details the two governments of the country - The North (The Union) and The South (The Confederacy), The Disputed Territories where the native tribes remain, The Far North of Canada and Alaska, The Old South of Mexico, and The Manifest Destined - which to be fair, is where I'd set my games, right on the frontier.

Written as if Osprey Publishing are presenting these details as facts, each section has a brief introduction to explain the state of this particular part of the country and then there follows a series of illustrations that give us an example of an individual who lives there (and when I say lives there, I mean fights there) and it gives the role of that person, the role of the organisation they are involved in and what it is they do.

And it's really well done. The writing is crisp and needs only a page to explain what they are and what they do, and as you make your way through the book it slowly builds a much larger picture of the country, larger than the brief introduction was able to give. It gives some great background and reality to the alternative history that's been created and acts as a great sourcebook for anyone wanting to use the material for their games, be it creating something from scratch or using the setting for their existing steampunk campaign, Even if you're not intending to use it as a gaming resource, it's just a great read with some amazing illustrations that'd look great on the bookshelf. Steampunk enthusiasts and cosplayers will find lots of great images in here that will no doubt give them some inspiration for their next project.

The combination of atmospheric writing (the fact that straight away they deal with the history and the images as fact and not fiction adds so much depth) and great art (each image has a great dynamic and gives real character) makes Steampunk Soldiers: The American Frontier a great evening's read. It's not long at all, but I found myself revisiting it to check out certain images and backgrounds, and as a tabletop roleplayer I found a lot to help me into my first steampunk-themed game. Everybody likes a good western, and having the ability to add an Alamo Fortified Suit, a postman with an armoured dog, a Confederate trooper on a camel, flying natives, Banditos with flamethrowers and land Ironclads... I mean, come on, who's going to say no to that?

Steampunk Soldiers: The American Frontier is a great book that really makes you wish the west really was that wild.

Recommended.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Steampunk Soldiers: Uniforms and Weapons from the Age of Steam' by Philip Smith and Joseph McCullough with illustrations by Mark Stacey is a field guide to the uniforms and weapons of an alternate 19th century. It brought about an age of steam-powered weapons and new armor for the men wielding those weapons.

When a meteor shower in 1862 rained down a new element called hephaestium, it advanced technology as well as created new battles for this new element.

The book breaks up the major continents and discusses ranks, uniforms and weapons that might have arisen from new elements being found. As with most Osprey guides, the information, even if supposed, and the illustrations are top-notch. I had a great time poring through this book and wondering "what if?"

I received a review copy of this ebook from Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

This is a wonderful idea and so well executed: an alternate history modern world finding a 'lost' set of illustrations from the 'era of steampunk,' showing military uniforms of various countries. All have historical grounding but then spiced with a bit of different types of steampunk suitable to the cultures. This book was great fun to read and I appreciated that there was a story in addition to all the steampunk military goodness. This ticked off all the boxes for steampunk and historical/military aficionados.

Story: It's been nearly 100 years since the meteor shower of 1862 gave the world hephaestium. The element burned longer, hotter, and brighter and gave rise to new inventions/brought the world firmly into the steampunk age. Some countries prospered from the meteors' gifts, others fell into ruin. But the greatest application was the military. And although we live in the age of computers, supersonic train travel, and cybernetic prosthetics now, we remember the steampunk age fondly. Fortunately for us, the lost illustrations of Miles Vandercroft, art student, are found by a descendant. Vandercroft illustrated the soldiers he encountered while on a grand tour - but those illustrations were forgotten after his untimely death in 1909. Now they are now printed in their full glory for us to marvel at our military steampunk past!

Since this is a 'faux' portfolio publishing, the lion share of the book is the full page 'plates' of illustrations of various soldiers. Each could be right out of a military uniform book - with the exception that they have been cleverly but sparingly outfitted in very steampunk ways. Each plate features a full page write up of the type of soldier as well as his history (each history has been uniquely changed in this alternate universe). Reading the histories is as entertaining as drooling over the beautiful color illustrations.

The 'plates' are ordered by countries, with some countries having very interesting 'histories' (e.g., the Confederate Army brokered a stalemate peace with the Union upon the election of McClellan as President of the US in 1869). The focus is definitely England and Europe but Asia and other countries are represented as well.

The authors really had fun with the histories. E.g., Germany and Japan went metallic men way but Russia used the hephaestium biologically to make their soldiers super powered (at the expense of longevity, of course). There were fun 'lessons learned' in the 100 years since the meteors hit and the world dealt with the hephaestium. It's worth going back to a history book to see the tweaks the authors made in history to create their alternate universe.

The true star here are the layout and illustration work. This is very beautifully presented. Authenticity to actual military uniform books is adhered to religiously (almost amusingly) and yet there are treats throughout. This isn't a romantic view of steampunk with ladies in bustle dresses - it's all soldiers with pseudo futuristic weapons, armor, accessories, or other equipment. E.g., the Finnish soldier uniform is the exact white worn in the Winter War but with a hephaestium powered ski machine attached. Very fun!

If I had a quibble, it's that the authors killed off Miles in 1909 - but so many of the fashions were WW1 era. E.g., there are nurses and female soldiers in 1918 type fashions rather than the modified semi bustles of the turn of the century or longer dresses of the 1900s. It's a minor quibble I know but for a book adhering to history so beautifully, it mattered to me.

In all, this is a great book for historical or steampunk fans. It's an alternate universe presented in a stunning graphical format that really works. Huge kudos to the authors and illustrators! This is definitely one for the coffee table that bears many repeated viewings/readings.

Reviewed from an ARC.

[Lili · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a review, and here it is:

The first thing I have to say is this, the ARC of the kindle version really needs to be edited, this book is loaded with beautiful visuals which are cut up or missing when I read it on my Fire. I am assuming this will be fixed before it goes live. Reading this book on my computer I was able to see just how awesome it really is.

Another caveat, the main reason I requested this book is because of a game. I recently started Steampunk wargame Dystopian Wars and was looking for inspiration for both aesthetic and adjusting the game's flavor. I love the rules and aesthetic, but absolutely loathe their take on (alternate) history. I swear this book took a lot of the same elements present in Dystopian Wars and made them awesome, no more of these fake people and everyone being so nice to each other, we are at war for god's sake!

Ok, that side rant aside, it is very obvious that I fell in love with this book. The attention to detail in both art, history, and military garments is amazing. I was impressed from the moment I opened the book, and this is not just the typical Steampunk 'glue some gears on it' and elegantly dressed women with brass riveted corsets and goggles, this is gritty realism with a surprisingly realistic approach to Steampunk. I can very much so imagine these soldiers on the battlefield, I can visualize the battles and would love to see a full blown story using the various elements presented in this book.

It is not all visuals though, the one page entries describing each battalion or type of unit melds alternate history and actual history perfectly. Quite a few times I found myself pausing to sort through my memories to figure out which is history and which is fantasy.

I have absolutely no complaints about this book, I already have it on my wishlist and will be purchasing it as soon as it comes out, and will definitely be bringing it with me to game night.

[Mary Catelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amusing alternate-history work, framed as a collection of military uniform sketches and notes from the century before.

You pick up bits and pieces of the alternate history from the notes. Though the first, the shower of hephaustium meteors that powered the original steampunk, is introduced in the introduction -- in a solemn note compared the original steampunk to what is obviously a more advanced version of that world.

Covers approximately the same Great Powers as our end of the 19th century. With some speculation about what would have happened without the shower.

[Clay Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are some of the best I saw, I thought the first British soldier picture was a photo. I would have liked to see a picture of a Buffalo Soldier in steampunk. A story based on the drawings might make a good book.

[Clay Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

First rate artwork. Would like to have seen renderings of sailors, marines and slave catchers.

[Stefanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm unsure what I feel about this book. On it's own, I like it, the potential however is big.

All in all this reads as a companion book, as I've already read the story about Miles Vandercroft travels and kept hearing about his drawings. I constantly felt as if I should have known these characters, read about how Miles got to meet a commander of the Russian Nautilus fleet, a rebel in Cuba. And now I get to see what they look like.

If these books about Miles had existed, I would have felt really annoyed that I didn't read them in order. Because, we learn in the introduction that he was missing for 8 years before returning to Britain. What happened? How did an art student meet these Soldiers? And why did he search for them? The story about those years could have been Amazing.

[Piemaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly standard Steampunk world, with the twist of being viewed from an exclusively military perspective. Unfortunately the lack of detail - in the writing, not the art, which is very good - lets the book down, and while it gives plenty of room for the imagination to roam it also means that customers looking for the usual Osprey approach of full details on items of kit, uniform, and tactics will be disappointed. We essentially get a great illustration and a written thumbnail sketch of various troops from the alternate history here, but they remain just that at the end: thumbnail sketches, nothing more.

[Jim Razinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m on a steampunk kick and looking for inspirations to help me create something from my diverse collection of parts. Less interested in the costume/fashion side than mechanical, I still found a few things in here to bookmark for later synthesis into something new. I was rather impressed with the illustrations and the backstory for each uniform was incredible. Wonderful steampunk imaginations at work here.

[Tony Genualdi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of steampunk, but I saw some pictures from the book on Pinterest and became intrigued. The illustrations are first rate, and there is real imagination in the text, especially with Austria-Hungary recruting Nicola Tesla to help them. Altogether a terrific read.

[John Robey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, got some nice inspiration from it. :)

[Brie Donning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has such excellent illustrations. A must look for all lovers of steampunk anything.

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nifty designs. Artistry is spot on.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1862, a meteor shower brought to Earth a new element, hephaestium, which burned hotter and longer than anything before it and ushered in an age of steam-driven wonders. Twenty-five years later, artist Miles Vandercroft began an eight-year global odyssey during which he sketched the soldiers of the world as they used the awesome and awful weaponry and equipment that this new element made possible. Until recently his art was lost, but now it is collected in this volume, alongside notes from Vandercroft and the authors describing the soldiers he depicts and how they fit into the global military and political picture of the time.

Mark Stacey’s paintings are executed with a keen eye for detail and their subjects project personalities that make it easy to believe these are real people captured in action. It was the “steampunk” in the title that drew my attention rather that the “soldiers”, and there are some great ideas for any steampunk looking to add to his or her costume: for example, the accurizer, a wrist-mounted sighting aid; ski pole-mounted pistols; an arm-mounted double-barrelled shotgun; the aero-cavalry “flying pack”. There are also great armoured suits and automatons, best among them the Highlander Battlesuit with its kilt and built-in bagpipes. My knowledge of 19th century military history is – at best – woeful, so I was scurrying to Google to see which of the battles mentioned were real and where the authors had taken liberties. To indicate the extent of these liberties, even I know the Confederacy did not win the American Civil War. No doubt a military historian – or military fantasist – would find much fun and food for thought in the way hephaestium changed history, but even for the ignoramus the authors create an engrossing and recognisably off-kilter world.

There are only minor niggles. The paintings are presented against white backgrounds, which, while it makes study of details of the uniforms and weapons easy, does deprive them of context. Placing at least some in combat settings might have added yet more dynamism to the art. We’re teased with descriptions of war machines – ironclads and submersibles – but we see very few. The book’s subtitle is Uniforms and Weapons from the Steam Age, but it would have been nice to see craft, too. The biggest tease is a fleeting mention of the Great War of the Worlds, which post-dates Vandercroft’s work. We can guess what that is, but to see it played out with steam-age weaponry could be something special. Perhaps these things will be subjects for future volumes.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 3.0 of 5

Imagine a coffee-table style book of weapons and uniforms (I don't have to imagine too hard, I recently reviewed a book on weapons). Now imagine an art book of steampunk paintings. And now ... put the two together and you have this book.

The idea is really interesting. Author Philip Smith has created a strong back-story -- a meteor shower in the mid-1800's gave the world a supply of 'hephaesteum,' which propelled inventors into the age of steam and provided for a wide variety of weapons and useful devices. Enter art student Miles Vandercroft who traveled the world chronicling the weapons and uniforms of soldiers during this age of steam and those uniforms and weapons are displayed in this book. It's a portfolio of uniforms and weaponry in an alternate-history, steampunk world.

As I say ... pretty interesting. Now...if there were just some reason for it.

I have a really large collection of art books. From modern fantasy art collections to volumes on individual masters such as Rembrandt and Monet and Renoir and quite a bit in between. This book strikes me as something that wants to be shelved in with my art books since it's mostly single page paintings of individuals, but at the same time, it's trying to be something different.

Although there is a little description to go along with each painting, to identify the type of soldier, where s/he is from, and the kind of fighting they typically did, there isn't any story here. The story is about the meteor and the deposits of hephaestium, but even that doesn't give us too much. The pictures are organized by country and military division and there is a brief history of the working of the country and military. It is enough to tease, but not to actually give us much to operate from.

I would hope that this book will be used for a more expansive steampunk series of stories, but as it stands, while nice to look at it, it's hardly worth the time and money.

Looking for a good book? Steampunk Soldiers has much going for it, but it doesn't complete the journey and is simply a picture book of military uniforms and weapons set in an alternate, steampunk universe.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[A Reader's Heaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Steampunk Soldiers is a unique pictorial guide to the last great era of bright and colorful uniforms, as well as an important historical study of the variety of steam-powered weaponry and equipment that abounded in the days before the Great War of the Worlds.
Between 1887 and 1895, the British art student Miles Vandercroft travelled around the world, sketching and painting the soldiers of the countries through which he passed. In this age of dramatic technological advancement, Vandercroft was fascinated by how the rise of steam technology at the start of the American Civil War had transformed warfare and the role of the fighting man. This volume collects all of Vandercroft's surviving paintings, along with his associated commentary on the specific military units he encountered.

This book is a fictional illustrated alternative history of the uniforms and weapons used by "Steampunk Soldiers" in the late 1800's following a meteor shower that left massive deposits of an element, Hephaestium, which could be used in the production of highly-powered weapons and brought on the "steam age."

The book is broken into different countries. Each section has a detailed history of how each country was able to use the material for their own advantages. Within each section, there is a description of different soldiers and their weapons/uniforms.

The most impressive part of this book, however, were the paintings by Mark Stacey. His eye for detail is brilliant and the way that he blends the expected uniforms and weapons with steampunk flourishes in amazing. Only a few were over the top but they were amazing in their detail and practicality.

This is a must-read for any fans of alternate history, steampunk enthusiasts, art aficionados and military historians alike.


Paul
ARH

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley

Supposedly a collection of work by Miles Vandercroft, Steampunk Soldiers carries on the tradition of Osprey military books by detailing various soldiers from various countries during a Steampunk era.
It’s cool.

Each section focuses on a different part of the world that has developed various items and weapons due to the arrival of certain materials. The introduction of each section gives an overview of the country in terms military strategy and/or development. Italy does seem to be the most creative and humorous part in this regard. In keeping with many Steampunk traditions, the United States is split in the Union and the Confederacy. While most of the focus is on major European powers, Japan gets its own chapter and other countries receive a total chapter grouping.

In other words, it is a steampunk version of the countries that participated majorly in both World Wars.

The designs for each country are varied and include anything ranging from Calvary to Firelighters. There are also hints of the traditional costumes. The Highlander Battle suit is an excellent example of this. A kilted Armored Man ala the Black Watch. The section on the two American countries could easily fit into Cherie Priest’s Steampunk series. The Russian section shows a great deal of invention with overtones of how Russia is view today. IN particular, the Russian nurses (or not nurses) stand out. The Fangfeng suit is wonderfully inventive and yet traditional. There are also hints of Freedom Fights in Belgium as well as Canada.

In short, the book is a wonderful look at a world that would make a good game.

[Randee Baty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most fun books I've seen in a long time. It's bright, it's colorful, it's imaginative and it's clever. The pictures get your imagination soaring. You could imagine that in an alternative world where steam ruled, this is exactly how the soldiers would have developed. I love that there are soldiers from all over the world with all kinds of weird and unusual weapons. I could just pour over the pictures taking in all the details and the pictures are very detailed. The combination of real uniforms with the steampunk additions just had me laughing out loud. These will be the basis for some Halloween costumes next year, I'm sure.

I love the descriptions of each soldier. They bring the pictures to life and give the history of the war and of each soldier type. The entire book is beautiful. Steampunk afficionados are going to have a field day with this one. Fun is the absolute best word for this book.

I received this book from Netgalley and appreciated the opportunity to give it an honest review.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gostei bastante deste livro. O texto está excelente, com belas descrições e apontamentos bem interessantes. As ilustrações estão maravilhosas, claramente dentro do género steampunk, como o próprio título do livro indica.

Existem vários países, cujos exércitos estão representados, tendo em conta o séc. XIX e por aí. Senti a falta de Portugal...mas enfim. É um livro precioso para quem gosta deste tema e para quem quer ter ideias para desenhar ou escrever com este contexto.

Lindo!

In English:


I liked it a lot. The text is excellent, with great descriptions and interesting notes. The images are brilliant, steampunk, like the title says.

There are some nations in it, which soldiers are represented. I missed Portugal...
This is a precious book for those who like steampunk and for those who wants ideas about it, to draw or write about it.

Beautiful!

[Matthew Barlow · Rating 1 out of 5]

To refer to this as history is laughable and an insult to historians the world over. While well illustrated it is clear that a great deal of artistic licence has gone into the depictions of these weapons and the soldiers whose them. Some of them may have been possible, but the majority are nigh on impossible. The author's obsession with the so called great meteor shower of 1862 calls his sanity into question as he raves about a chemical compound known as hephaestium, which supposedly revolutionized weapons development. An independent search yields no results for this compound and only tangential references to the meteor shower. With no evidence or independent sources to back up the author's claimsImust declare this a work of science fiction and possible brain damage on behalf of the author.

[Jacob Thuecks · Rating 3 out of 5]

just a note: i got this free in exchange for an honest review from Net Galley.

this book is a strange creature in that it sets up an alternate history to present their illustrations and descriptions to you. i'm not a huge fan of the steampunk movement or have read a lot of stories based on those ideas but have enjoyed the few that i have. in this book the art is very nice and and the descriptions add little tidbits to each piece. i think this book would be a very useful tool for someone that runs or is interested in running some steampunk rpgs or things of that sort.

[Chumofchance]

Tried this one out on Netgalley. I have to be honest, I have an inherent distaste for Steampunk, but I do like the fancy uniforms and all that. If you are a steampunk aficionado you'll probably be way in to this, and even I couldn't help cracking a smile at the thje zaniest of this all. A lot of work went in to making this accurate, relatively realistic, and fun, and it succeeds on all counts. My only gripe is that this is very much a 'standard' steampunk reality, not at all original or ambitious in any way, and it does suffer for that. Again, for most die-hards that's fine.

[vvb · Rating 4 out of 5]

As steampunk is a genre that is popular due to its aesthetics, books such as this one that emphasize illustrations and visuals is perfect.

This book is a wonderful guide and reference to uniforms and weapons of soldiers from this genre representing several countries. Colorful images with brief descriptions of mostly the garb and guns run through this book.

I was amused with the description for a Highlander Battlesuit - "the suit also includes a built-in set of automatic bagpipes."

[vvb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good companion to Steampunk Soldiers: Uniforms & Weapons from the Age of Steam. The format is the same with brief descriptions of mostly guns and garb along with color illustrations.

The focus is on "the look" in the United States of America which did not have too much of the steampunk metal look I am accustomed to seeing (in general). The various makes and models of the guns were emphasized.

[Ian Burrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is provides a guide to the uniforms sketched by a fictional British art student between 1887 and 1895 in a steampunk version of the world.

Well illustrated in full colour with descriptive text; it is an inspiring text for anyone with an interest in steampunk, particularly the uniforms of the military.

Recommended.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steampunk Soldiers was a very clever and fun read. It sets itself up like a straight forward encyclopedia giving brief descriptions of each soldier while having an interesting and detailed drawing of the subject. Overall the book gives the reader intriguing meshes of Steampunk from various cultures which would delight any steampunk fan.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book free to review from Netgalley. It has paintings and descriptions of 19th century steampunk soldiers that supposedly actually existed. I think it would be better if there were photos of actual artifacts as well. I think that people who enjoy steampunk and war items may enjoy this book.