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Against the Machine
Against the Machine: Luddites
At war against Napoleon near bankrupt English mill-masters experiment with a new factory system acquiring machines to replace men. A young worker leads the Luddites attacking mills and smashing machines. With increased assaults and even murder North England feels the grip of terrorism. Government agents attempt to suppress the rebellion. In 1812 there are more British troops in North England than fighting Napoleon in Europe. Against the Machine relates the story of the diverse characters caught in this conflict. It unveils the rank exploitation which marked the Industrial Revolution. Timely, intense and reflective of another, technological revolution: our own.
- GenresFiction
400 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2020
2 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
About the author
Brian Van Norman
7 books412 followersAuthor of of five novels: The Betrayal Path (Amazon), Immortal Water (Guernica Editions), Against the Machine: Luddites (Guernica Editions), Against the Machine: Manifesto (Guernica Editions) and Against the Machine: Evolution (Guernica Editions).
Once a teacher, theatre director and adjudicator, Brian Van Norman left those worlds to travel with his wife, Susan, and take up writing as a full time pursuit. He has journeyed to every continent and sailed nearly every sea on the planet. His base is Waterloo, Ontario, Canada though he is seldom found there.
Once a teacher, theatre director and adjudicator, Brian Van Norman left those worlds to travel with his wife, Susan, and take up writing as a full time pursuit. He has journeyed to every continent and sailed nearly every sea on the planet. His base is Waterloo, Ontario, Canada though he is seldom found there.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 7, 2021
Historical fiction focusing on the role of George Mellor during the Luddite rebellion against the introduction of machines used in the English textile industry. A well written, well researched book about the workers' attacks on lives and property in 1812, enhanced by the fictional component of some private relationships and speculation about the motivations and beliefs of the main character, and how his outlook on the impact of mechanization may have changed during the course of the year.
The novel starts off slowly, due to the number of people introduced in the first few chapters, making it difficult for the reader to remember each character, their role in society and their relationship to each other. Mr. Van Norman's dramatic use of giving the readers a hint of what will happen to a character in the future fails to titillate the readers' interest, as the occurrence does not take place in the next few chapters. By the time the events takes place, the readers forgets what had been forewarned for that character.
The novel starts off slowly, due to the number of people introduced in the first few chapters, making it difficult for the reader to remember each character, their role in society and their relationship to each other. Mr. Van Norman's dramatic use of giving the readers a hint of what will happen to a character in the future fails to titillate the readers' interest, as the occurrence does not take place in the next few chapters. By the time the events takes place, the readers forgets what had been forewarned for that character.
April 12, 2021
Originally reviewed by Will Fawley for Prairie Fire's Book Reviews Program. prairiefire.ca
Against the Machine: Luddites is Brian Van Norman’s third novel, and is a work of historical fiction that takes place in northern England at the beginning of the industrial revolution. The book follows the birth and progression of the Luddite movement, a revolution of workers who protested the adoption of machines which ultimately threatened their jobs in factories and mills.
Van Norman uses a well-researched historical setting to tell a tale that not only teaches us about the past, but offers a window into the struggles we face today with work, class, and the very real automation of our jobs. Van Norman paints a vivid picture of the dilemma: “To keep their fast waning trade, the mill owners sought technological answers. They began to employ machines to do the work of men: gig-mills, knitting frames, power looms and shear frames, all driven by water from streams in north England’s vales. So families who had spent generations working the wool lost their livelihoods and fell into penury.” (2)
The book opens with a fourteen-year-old named Ned Lud reaching a breaking point. Frustrated with how he’s treated as a mill worker, he takes a hammer to the machines. This single act sparked a flame that had been growing in the workers, and sent a powerful message that soon had people referring to those who would fight the machine as Luddites. While the plot begins with a singular event, the tension quickly grows into a sweeping novel that leads into full-blown revolution.
Van Norman did thorough research, and presents historical details in a modern, engaging way that makes the setting believable and absorbing. He also uses fiction effectively to fill the novel with action and intrigue. There are spies, angry mobs, deception, betrayal, murder, revenge, assassination, interrogation, torture, and full scale battles. There is always some new situation escalating, and new character dynamics evolving, with twists and revelations in nearly every chapter.
The cast of characters is expansive, but largely focuses on the workers who resolve to fight against the machine. They are first introduced in John Wood’s shop, where a group of Luddites are meeting. Another John, John Buckworth, takes an oath to join a Brotherhood of workers who want to fight against the machines. Buckworth is uncertain about joining the group, but is soon convinced by his wife, Mary Buckworth, who is the only woman in the group. Her father owned a mill, so she knows the business and knows how to navigate the world of both factory workers and owners. Mary is a strong, fully-developed character who is refreshing amongst the boys’ club cast of the Brotherhood.
Over time, the Brotherhood gets more and more desperate, and begins manipulating people to join. What begins as an honest frustration and protest quickly escalates, leading to pre-meditated violence. The novel raises many questions about how people make their voices heard, and what is the right way to go about protest. Some turn to words, while others resort to violence in an effort to be acknowledged.
Van Norman does a great job of showing us this complex struggle, in which there really is no right answer. The author paints a full picture of life in northern England at the time, and all of the many groups of people affected by early machines. We meet not only factory workers, but the other side as well, the owners, and even a character responsible for delivering the machines to the mills. This complexity makes the political and social tension real, as no one singular person is right or wrong, and all of them are just trying to live their lives against the backdrop of revolution.
This multifaceted approach to the issues of the novel is what makes it so powerful, and is most evident in John Buckworth, because he is deeply conflicted and tries to see things from both sides. “‘You must examine … both sides … before you stoop to violence,’ Buckworth said… ‘These machines might become a blessing for you if society were different. There is an international economy which reaches far beyond our Yorkshire. These machines will allow us to join that economy, increase our trade. The machinery itself is not evil. Think how efficiently it works, how it does the most arduous part of a workman’s task!’” (8)
Midway through the novel, it becomes clear that this book is more than a simple history, and is deeply introspective as well. Mary Buckworth wonders, “Machines. Is that all we are? Machines to be worked then discarded?” (166). She seems to be getting at the central theme of the novel—humans against the machine. On the surface, the Luddites are fighting against the machines, but really the machines are just things. The people are really just fighting each other—the machinations of society—over resources, money, and justice.
There is an eerie moment where the book becomes almost too self-aware, and one of the characters muses something of a prophecy. “Someday we’ll have machines doing all our work for us. We’ll think the machines so important we can’t live without them! But what if they gain a mindfulness of their own. What if they learn t’ think?” (362)
This novel is a history, one that provides a window into the past. But it is also relevant to today. The themes of revolution and machines are apt for our times. This novel could easily be about robots taking our jobs in the twenty-first century, and the frustration workers feel over the way they are treated and compensated. It is this parallel between the present and the past that makes Against the Machines: Luddites a must-read in 2020.
Against the Machine: Luddites is Brian Van Norman’s third novel, and is a work of historical fiction that takes place in northern England at the beginning of the industrial revolution. The book follows the birth and progression of the Luddite movement, a revolution of workers who protested the adoption of machines which ultimately threatened their jobs in factories and mills.
Van Norman uses a well-researched historical setting to tell a tale that not only teaches us about the past, but offers a window into the struggles we face today with work, class, and the very real automation of our jobs. Van Norman paints a vivid picture of the dilemma: “To keep their fast waning trade, the mill owners sought technological answers. They began to employ machines to do the work of men: gig-mills, knitting frames, power looms and shear frames, all driven by water from streams in north England’s vales. So families who had spent generations working the wool lost their livelihoods and fell into penury.” (2)
The book opens with a fourteen-year-old named Ned Lud reaching a breaking point. Frustrated with how he’s treated as a mill worker, he takes a hammer to the machines. This single act sparked a flame that had been growing in the workers, and sent a powerful message that soon had people referring to those who would fight the machine as Luddites. While the plot begins with a singular event, the tension quickly grows into a sweeping novel that leads into full-blown revolution.
Van Norman did thorough research, and presents historical details in a modern, engaging way that makes the setting believable and absorbing. He also uses fiction effectively to fill the novel with action and intrigue. There are spies, angry mobs, deception, betrayal, murder, revenge, assassination, interrogation, torture, and full scale battles. There is always some new situation escalating, and new character dynamics evolving, with twists and revelations in nearly every chapter.
The cast of characters is expansive, but largely focuses on the workers who resolve to fight against the machine. They are first introduced in John Wood’s shop, where a group of Luddites are meeting. Another John, John Buckworth, takes an oath to join a Brotherhood of workers who want to fight against the machines. Buckworth is uncertain about joining the group, but is soon convinced by his wife, Mary Buckworth, who is the only woman in the group. Her father owned a mill, so she knows the business and knows how to navigate the world of both factory workers and owners. Mary is a strong, fully-developed character who is refreshing amongst the boys’ club cast of the Brotherhood.
Over time, the Brotherhood gets more and more desperate, and begins manipulating people to join. What begins as an honest frustration and protest quickly escalates, leading to pre-meditated violence. The novel raises many questions about how people make their voices heard, and what is the right way to go about protest. Some turn to words, while others resort to violence in an effort to be acknowledged.
Van Norman does a great job of showing us this complex struggle, in which there really is no right answer. The author paints a full picture of life in northern England at the time, and all of the many groups of people affected by early machines. We meet not only factory workers, but the other side as well, the owners, and even a character responsible for delivering the machines to the mills. This complexity makes the political and social tension real, as no one singular person is right or wrong, and all of them are just trying to live their lives against the backdrop of revolution.
This multifaceted approach to the issues of the novel is what makes it so powerful, and is most evident in John Buckworth, because he is deeply conflicted and tries to see things from both sides. “‘You must examine … both sides … before you stoop to violence,’ Buckworth said… ‘These machines might become a blessing for you if society were different. There is an international economy which reaches far beyond our Yorkshire. These machines will allow us to join that economy, increase our trade. The machinery itself is not evil. Think how efficiently it works, how it does the most arduous part of a workman’s task!’” (8)
Midway through the novel, it becomes clear that this book is more than a simple history, and is deeply introspective as well. Mary Buckworth wonders, “Machines. Is that all we are? Machines to be worked then discarded?” (166). She seems to be getting at the central theme of the novel—humans against the machine. On the surface, the Luddites are fighting against the machines, but really the machines are just things. The people are really just fighting each other—the machinations of society—over resources, money, and justice.
There is an eerie moment where the book becomes almost too self-aware, and one of the characters muses something of a prophecy. “Someday we’ll have machines doing all our work for us. We’ll think the machines so important we can’t live without them! But what if they gain a mindfulness of their own. What if they learn t’ think?” (362)
This novel is a history, one that provides a window into the past. But it is also relevant to today. The themes of revolution and machines are apt for our times. This novel could easily be about robots taking our jobs in the twenty-first century, and the frustration workers feel over the way they are treated and compensated. It is this parallel between the present and the past that makes Against the Machines: Luddites a must-read in 2020.
February 21, 2020
Against the Machine: Luddites by Brian Van Norman
Published: 1 April 2020
Publisher: Guernica Editions
Genre: Historical Fiction, English/British History, 19th Century
Pages: 412
Available: paperback, epub
Violence: 😲😲 significant violence, but nothing gratuitous or too graphic
Sexual Content: 💗 minimal, nothing to make you blush
Author Bio: Once a teacher, theatre director and adjudicator, Brian Van Norman left those worlds to travel with his wife, Susan, and take up writing as a full time pursuit. He has journeyed to every continent and sailed nearly every sea on the planet. His base is Waterloo, Ontario.
Basic Plot: Against the Machine: Luddites is the fictionalized story of the Luddite movement in Yorkshire, England. The Luddite movement swept across Northern England during the time of the Napoleonic War and the American War of 1812. The story is centered on a young leader, George Mellor and his cohorts in their attempt to bring attention to the plight of mill-workers facing displacement by machines. As the violence escalates on both sides, the fate of the rebels is sealed. The mill-owners want nothing less than their annihilation.
The Characters: The tale of the Luddite Movement is a complicated one and there were numerous key players. Against the Machine tells the story from both sides; the rebellious workers and the pitiless mill-owners. With that being said, there are a substantial number of characters in this book. Most, if not all, are based on the real people involved, including Rebel leader, George Mellor, the Magistrate, Joseph Radcliff and the British Army Officers, Captain Frances Raynes and Sir Thomas Maitland, whose jobs it was to rout out the rebels and bring them to justice. Also included are a handful of clergymen who played a pivotal role on both sides. The Reverend Patrick Bronte, father of the Bronte sisters makes a brief appearance.
In a novel with this many characters, it is sometimes difficult for the reader to keep them all straight and I admit that this happened to me in the first few chapters of the book. I eventually got them in line with the help of the author who does an excellent job differentiating their personalities and making them stand out as individuals. Norman clearly put in an enormous amount of research while preparing for this book and it shows.
The History: The early 1800s is an interesting time in England. Changes, driven by the Industrial Revolution and the Enclosure Acts, turned society on it's head. The rich got richer and the poor, well, the poor got really poorer. The downtrodden and destitute were all but voiceless, their needs and desires, even for basic necessities, were of little concern to their economic betters. It really was a case of the haves versus the have nots. It's a painful time, despite the glories and riches the economic boom brought to the upper and rising middle classes.
This book brings the plight of the mill-workers to life. From the description of their clothing, food and housing in contrast with the wealthy owners who exploited them, we feel their hunger and desperation. I think Van Norman did a fantastic job of humanizing their conflict.
The Writing: The writing is strong, the book well edited. The story is told in 3rd person omniscient, so we get just a peek into everyone's head. The one thing that I didn't really care for was the foreshadowing of the fate and actions of the rebels and other characters. I felt the device was overused and perhaps spoiled some of the action for me.
See https://www.thebookdelight.com/2020/0... for my full review.
Published: 1 April 2020
Publisher: Guernica Editions
Genre: Historical Fiction, English/British History, 19th Century
Pages: 412
Available: paperback, epub
Violence: 😲😲 significant violence, but nothing gratuitous or too graphic
Sexual Content: 💗 minimal, nothing to make you blush
Author Bio: Once a teacher, theatre director and adjudicator, Brian Van Norman left those worlds to travel with his wife, Susan, and take up writing as a full time pursuit. He has journeyed to every continent and sailed nearly every sea on the planet. His base is Waterloo, Ontario.
Basic Plot: Against the Machine: Luddites is the fictionalized story of the Luddite movement in Yorkshire, England. The Luddite movement swept across Northern England during the time of the Napoleonic War and the American War of 1812. The story is centered on a young leader, George Mellor and his cohorts in their attempt to bring attention to the plight of mill-workers facing displacement by machines. As the violence escalates on both sides, the fate of the rebels is sealed. The mill-owners want nothing less than their annihilation.
The Characters: The tale of the Luddite Movement is a complicated one and there were numerous key players. Against the Machine tells the story from both sides; the rebellious workers and the pitiless mill-owners. With that being said, there are a substantial number of characters in this book. Most, if not all, are based on the real people involved, including Rebel leader, George Mellor, the Magistrate, Joseph Radcliff and the British Army Officers, Captain Frances Raynes and Sir Thomas Maitland, whose jobs it was to rout out the rebels and bring them to justice. Also included are a handful of clergymen who played a pivotal role on both sides. The Reverend Patrick Bronte, father of the Bronte sisters makes a brief appearance.
In a novel with this many characters, it is sometimes difficult for the reader to keep them all straight and I admit that this happened to me in the first few chapters of the book. I eventually got them in line with the help of the author who does an excellent job differentiating their personalities and making them stand out as individuals. Norman clearly put in an enormous amount of research while preparing for this book and it shows.
The History: The early 1800s is an interesting time in England. Changes, driven by the Industrial Revolution and the Enclosure Acts, turned society on it's head. The rich got richer and the poor, well, the poor got really poorer. The downtrodden and destitute were all but voiceless, their needs and desires, even for basic necessities, were of little concern to their economic betters. It really was a case of the haves versus the have nots. It's a painful time, despite the glories and riches the economic boom brought to the upper and rising middle classes.
This book brings the plight of the mill-workers to life. From the description of their clothing, food and housing in contrast with the wealthy owners who exploited them, we feel their hunger and desperation. I think Van Norman did a fantastic job of humanizing their conflict.
The Writing: The writing is strong, the book well edited. The story is told in 3rd person omniscient, so we get just a peek into everyone's head. The one thing that I didn't really care for was the foreshadowing of the fate and actions of the rebels and other characters. I felt the device was overused and perhaps spoiled some of the action for me.
See https://www.thebookdelight.com/2020/0... for my full review.
December 10, 2025
Against the Machine: Luddites by Brian Van Norman is one of those historical novels that grips you from the very first page and refuses to let go. Set in the turbulent early 1800s, the story dives deep into the tension between workers and mill-owners as new machines threaten to replace human labor. What I loved most is how the author brings this period to life, not just with historical accuracy, but with emotional intensity.
The characters feel real and layered, each carrying their own fears, loyalties, and motivations. The rise of the Luddite movement is portrayed not simply as chaos or rebellion, but as a human response to exploitation, poverty, and desperation. It’s impossible not to feel the weight of their struggle.
What surprised me is how timely the book feels. Even though it’s set centuries ago, the themes mirror our current technological revolution, machines replacing jobs, people feeling powerless, and society being reshaped faster than anyone can control. It’s reflective, thought-provoking, and in many ways, a warning.
The pacing is tight, the writing is immersive, and the tension builds beautifully as the conflict escalates across Northern England, so much so that it’s believable that more troops were deployed there than against Napoleon.
If you enjoy historical fiction with depth, drama, and relevance, this book is absolutely worth reading. Van Norman delivers a story that is not only compelling but also uncomfortably close to our modern world.
The characters feel real and layered, each carrying their own fears, loyalties, and motivations. The rise of the Luddite movement is portrayed not simply as chaos or rebellion, but as a human response to exploitation, poverty, and desperation. It’s impossible not to feel the weight of their struggle.
What surprised me is how timely the book feels. Even though it’s set centuries ago, the themes mirror our current technological revolution, machines replacing jobs, people feeling powerless, and society being reshaped faster than anyone can control. It’s reflective, thought-provoking, and in many ways, a warning.
The pacing is tight, the writing is immersive, and the tension builds beautifully as the conflict escalates across Northern England, so much so that it’s believable that more troops were deployed there than against Napoleon.
If you enjoy historical fiction with depth, drama, and relevance, this book is absolutely worth reading. Van Norman delivers a story that is not only compelling but also uncomfortably close to our modern world.
December 13, 2025
Against the Machine: Luddites offers a gripping and unsettling portrait of the Industrial Revolution from the ground level, where progress didn’t feel like progress at all. Brian Van Norman does an excellent job showing how the introduction of machines upended lives, fractured communities, and pushed ordinary workers toward extraordinary resistance.
Rather than romanticizing the Luddites, the novel presents them as complex, flawed people reacting to real economic desperation. The violence, fear, and moral ambiguity are handled with care, making the story feel honest rather than sensational. I appreciated how the narrative shifts between different characters, allowing readers to see the conflict from multiple angles: workers, mill owners, and government agents alike.
The historical setting is vivid and convincing, and the sense of tension steadily builds as the rebellion spreads across Northern England. Knowing that more troops were deployed to suppress these uprisings than to fight Napoleon adds an extra layer of gravity to the story.
What stayed with me most after finishing the book is its relevance to today. The questions it raises about technology, labor, and exploitation feel eerily familiar in our modern world. This isn’t just a historical novel, it’s a reflection on how societies handle change, and who pays the price for “progress.”
A solid, engaging read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with substance and real, world parallels.
Rather than romanticizing the Luddites, the novel presents them as complex, flawed people reacting to real economic desperation. The violence, fear, and moral ambiguity are handled with care, making the story feel honest rather than sensational. I appreciated how the narrative shifts between different characters, allowing readers to see the conflict from multiple angles: workers, mill owners, and government agents alike.
The historical setting is vivid and convincing, and the sense of tension steadily builds as the rebellion spreads across Northern England. Knowing that more troops were deployed to suppress these uprisings than to fight Napoleon adds an extra layer of gravity to the story.
What stayed with me most after finishing the book is its relevance to today. The questions it raises about technology, labor, and exploitation feel eerily familiar in our modern world. This isn’t just a historical novel, it’s a reflection on how societies handle change, and who pays the price for “progress.”
A solid, engaging read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with substance and real, world parallels.
June 5, 2025
Against the Machine: Luddites by Brian Van Norman offers a rare and immersive look into the Industrial Revolution’s human drama, far from the sanitized versions often found in history books. Van Norman’s storytelling is nuanced and empathetic, capturing the desperation and resolve of the mill workers whose livelihoods were threatened by machines. The novel’s pacing is deliberate, allowing readers to understand the complexity of the conflict between the mill owners, the workers, and the government forces trying to maintain order. I particularly appreciated the author’s skill in portraying the Luddites not merely as villains or heroes but as deeply conflicted individuals driven by fear, hope, and survival. The scenes depicting the violent clashes and government surveillance add a layer of suspense and urgency that keeps the story compelling throughout. Moreover, the parallels drawn between the 19th century and today’s technological revolution give the book a timeless quality. It’s a powerful reminder that progress often comes with painful social costs, and those costs are paid by real people. This book is a must-read for anyone who values historical fiction that challenges and enlightens.
December 15, 2025
Against the Machine: Luddites is a compelling reminder that technological progress has always come at a human cost. Brian Van Norman tells the story of the Luddite uprisings with clarity, tension, and empathy, showing how desperation, not ignorance, drove workers to resist the machines that threatened their survival.
The novel excels in atmosphere. Northern England feels bleak, pressured, and constantly on edge as mills rise and communities fracture. The escalating attacks, government crackdowns, and moral dilemmas create a steady sense of unease that keeps the pages turning. I especially appreciated how the story avoids easy heroes or villains, everyone is caught in a system that feels larger than any single person.
What makes this book stand out is how strongly it resonates with our present moment. Reading about job displacement, corporate power, and state force in the early 1800s feels eerily modern. The parallels to today’s technological upheaval are impossible to ignore.
This is not a light read, but it is a rewarding one. Thoughtful, intense, and socially aware, Against the Machine is historical fiction that challenges the reader to rethink what “progress” really means.
The novel excels in atmosphere. Northern England feels bleak, pressured, and constantly on edge as mills rise and communities fracture. The escalating attacks, government crackdowns, and moral dilemmas create a steady sense of unease that keeps the pages turning. I especially appreciated how the story avoids easy heroes or villains, everyone is caught in a system that feels larger than any single person.
What makes this book stand out is how strongly it resonates with our present moment. Reading about job displacement, corporate power, and state force in the early 1800s feels eerily modern. The parallels to today’s technological upheaval are impossible to ignore.
This is not a light read, but it is a rewarding one. Thoughtful, intense, and socially aware, Against the Machine is historical fiction that challenges the reader to rethink what “progress” really means.
June 5, 2025
Brian Van Norman’s Against the Machine: Luddites is a gripping and evocative portrayal of one of the most turbulent periods in British history the early Industrial Revolution and the desperate uprising of the Luddites. What stands out most in this novel is Van Norman’s ability to weave the personal stories of diverse characters with the broader socio-political conflict. The young worker leading the rebellion is more than a symbol; he is a fully realized figure whose motivations and struggles pull the reader deeply into the human cost of technological change. The author’s vivid descriptions of the mills, the grinding poverty, and the violent confrontations create a palpable atmosphere that never feels distant or detached. Beyond the historical setting, the novel resonates powerfully today, echoing contemporary anxieties about automation and labor exploitation. Van Norman’s narrative isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a reflective commentary on the cyclical nature of technological upheaval and its impact on the working class. For anyone interested in historical fiction with rich characters and relevant themes, this book is an essential read.
May 20, 2025
Brian Van Norman’s "Against the Machine: Luddites" is an extraordinary piece of historical fiction that masterfully blends the grit and turmoil of 19th-century industrialization with powerful social and political commentary. Set during the tumultuous early years of the Industrial Revolution, this novel immerses readers in the harsh realities faced by mill workers in northern England. As machines replace manual labor, the plight of the workers becomes impossible to ignore, and Van Norman expertly explores the tension between progress and the preservation of humanity. His vivid descriptions of the time, places, and people bring a fascinating historical moment to life. The action-packed narrative keeps you on the edge of your seat, while the deep, introspective moments leave you reflecting on the moral costs of technological advancement. This novel is both a thrilling historical adventure and a heartfelt, poignant meditation on the impact of technology on workers, families, and societies.
August 3, 2021
I was excited to read this from such high reviews but before I was even 30% done I was having to force myself to read. It's history meets soap opera. Seriously, what upright, married lady in the 1800s is going to give a blow job in the woods to a man she just met? Is this the "fiction" part of historical fiction that is supposed to be the carrot that is dangled to keep us reading? Not for me.
I don't care about any of the characters, as there is no development at all. Although there are a lot of characters, the author does a decent job of dropping hints so that you can keep them straight, for the most part. However, there is no personality, no interest, no character that makes me root for one side over the other or compels me to be interested.
It's a long, drawn-out telling of history that I could have learned just as well in one chapter, as it has not at all grabbed my emotions or interest. I give it two stars because I do like the writing style.
I don't care about any of the characters, as there is no development at all. Although there are a lot of characters, the author does a decent job of dropping hints so that you can keep them straight, for the most part. However, there is no personality, no interest, no character that makes me root for one side over the other or compels me to be interested.
It's a long, drawn-out telling of history that I could have learned just as well in one chapter, as it has not at all grabbed my emotions or interest. I give it two stars because I do like the writing style.
May 20, 2025
Against the Machine: Luddites" is more than just a book, it’s an immersive experience that captures the essence of the early 19th century with incredible detail and authenticity. Van Norman’s characters are brilliantly crafted, each one representing different facets of society at a time of great upheaval. From the passionate young workers leading the Luddite rebellion to the wealthy mill owners who view machines as the key to their success, the novel’s characters feel deeply human. Their struggles, dreams, and fears provide the emotional depth that elevates the story from mere historical fiction to something that resonates with readers on a personal level. The author’s commitment to historical accuracy adds a rich layer of authenticity, making the world of 1812 come alive in vivid detail. Whether you’re a history buff or a fan of well-developed characters, this book is sure to captivate and educate in equal measure.
May 31, 2025
Against the Machine: Luddites vividly portrays the Industrial Revolution’s harsh realities through the lives of workers resisting machines. Van Norman’s characters are raw and honest, especially the young Luddite leader caught between survival and justice. The story avoids clichés and highlights resistance’s complexity.
The novel’s parallels with today’s tech-driven labor shifts make it resonate strongly. It explores the value of labor and the brutality behind progress. The immersive prose captures both factory life and emotional struggles.
In conclusion, this moving novel offers courage, conflict, and timely reflection. It’s essential reading for those interested in history and the human cost of technological change.
The novel’s parallels with today’s tech-driven labor shifts make it resonate strongly. It explores the value of labor and the brutality behind progress. The immersive prose captures both factory life and emotional struggles.
In conclusion, this moving novel offers courage, conflict, and timely reflection. It’s essential reading for those interested in history and the human cost of technological change.
February 1, 2022
Find here, in the pages of ‘Manifesto’ the struggle of man against machine against man. The past raging against the present will surely define the future.
Van Norman's ‘Manifesto’ is so richly dense and detailed with all of the descriptions so vivid that we are unwittingly taken outside of ourselves and magically transported to a different time and place. A complex and vibrant world of science, pizza, sex and revolution. ‘Manifesto’ x-ray’s the broken bones of the past and aims a powerful telescope at what’s to come. If this is the work of a wonderful writer...Van Norman is definitely doing his job.
Van Norman's ‘Manifesto’ is so richly dense and detailed with all of the descriptions so vivid that we are unwittingly taken outside of ourselves and magically transported to a different time and place. A complex and vibrant world of science, pizza, sex and revolution. ‘Manifesto’ x-ray’s the broken bones of the past and aims a powerful telescope at what’s to come. If this is the work of a wonderful writer...Van Norman is definitely doing his job.
December 8, 2025
What makes this novel especially compelling is how it immerses you in the conflict between human need and institutional power. The mills crush spirit and body alike, while owners debate strategy in candlelit rooms far removed from suffering. The church, caught between influence and responsibility, becomes a moral battleground of its own. Into this world steps George Mellor, whose quiet strength draws people toward rebellion. His choices intertwine with Mary Buckworth’s private struggles, showing how personal desire and political change collide. For readers who love rebellion stories that feel grounded, urgent, and emotionally layered, this book stands out.
December 8, 2025
The beauty of Against the Machine lies in how real everything feels. The moors are cold and heavy with fog, the mills thunder like living beasts, and every character moves within a world at war with itself. Workers push against starvation and exhaustion. Owners cling to wealth and control. The clergy tries to lead but often protects its own status. This collision of interests creates an intense political landscape that crackles with danger. When rebellion sparks, it feels not only inevitable but justified. This is a story for readers who crave atmosphere, tension, and the powerful rise of ordinary people.
December 11, 2025
Against the Machine captures a world where every breath feels weighted by conflict. The mills grind on with merciless intensity while workers struggle to survive another day under impossible conditions. Above them, owners maneuver for advantage, each decision shaped by profit rather than compassion. The church stands unsteadily between both sides, claiming moral authority while wrestling with its own desire for influence. These intersecting pressures create a landscape ready to erupt. Characters like George Mellor reveal how courage grows quietly in dark corners, rising into something powerful enough to challenge a system that refuses to acknowledge the humanity of its people.
December 17, 2025
This story is for readers who crave rebellion born from truth, not fantasy. The novel’s strength lies in its detailed portrayal of a society under enormous strain. The mills, with their deafening machinery and suffocating wool dust, show how industry transforms human life into disposable labor. Meanwhile, the wealthy debate the “proper handling” of unrest from the comfort of polished dining rooms. The church complicates the conflict further, torn between protecting its authority and serving its people. When revolt begins to stir, it feels like a natural response to systematic cruelty. The tension is constant, gripping, and deeply engaging.
December 17, 2025
Against the Machine captures a world where every breath feels weighted by conflict. The mills grind on with merciless intensity while workers struggle to survive another day under impossible conditions. Above them, owners maneuver for advantage, each decision shaped by profit rather than compassion. The church stands unsteadily between both sides, claiming moral authority while wrestling with its own desire for influence. These intersecting pressures create a landscape ready to erupt. Characters like George Mellor reveal how courage grows quietly in dark corners, rising into something powerful enough to challenge a system that refuses to acknowledge the humanity of its people.
December 17, 2025
The world of Against the Machine unfolds with the clarity of a historical film. You move seamlessly between the oppressive mills, the charged political meetings, and the private rooms where secrets define alliances. The rising conflict between workers, owners, and clergy gives the story constant momentum. Ned Lud’s painful transformation into a symbol of rebellion adds emotional weight, while George Mellor’s leadership emerges as steady and compelling. What makes the story resonate is its realism: nothing feels exaggerated, everything feels earned. It’s the kind of historical fiction that invites readers to experience every moment as if they’re standing inside it.
December 17, 2025
This novel excels at revealing how rebellion grows slowly, almost invisibly, in places where hope seems impossible. The workers endure injuries, starvation, and endless hours beneath unforgiving machines. Owners justify their decisions with polished speeches about progress, while the church wrestles with the cost of staying aligned with power. These tensions twist together until resistance becomes the only way forward. The result is a richly textured story where every character feels caught between personal survival and the weight of history. The atmosphere, the stakes, and the emotional depth make it ideal for readers who crave immersive, tension-filled historical fiction.
December 17, 2025
What sets Against the Machine apart is the precision with which it portrays political pressure. The mill owners’ greed is not loud, but calculated. The church’s moral authority is not stable, but constantly tested. And the workers’ suffering is not abstract, but deeply human. As these forces collide, the rebellion gains shape through characters like Mellor and Lud, whose personal struggles mirror the unrest around them. The novel builds a world where every decision carries consequence, every conversation shifts power, and every act of defiance feels monumental. It’s gripping historical fiction shaped by conflict, courage, and rising conviction.
December 17, 2025
Against the Machine explores what happens when progress is built on broken lives. The mills promise prosperity, but deliver exhaustion, injury, and despair. Workers are left with impossible choices, while owners frame their authority as necessity. The church attempts to guide both sides, yet often reinforces the imbalance it claims to correct. This collision of power and survival creates a slow-burning tension that feels inevitable. The rebellion that forms is not reckless, but deeply considered. For readers who enjoy historical fiction rooted in moral complexity and human struggle, this story offers a vivid, emotionally grounded experience.
December 4, 2025
Against the Machine pulls you straight into a world on the edge of revolt. From the choking heat of the mills to the fog-covered moors, every scene feels immediate and alive. The story captures the moment ordinary workers decide they can no longer endure a system built to break them. As owners strategize in warm parlors and the church attempts to balance morality and power, rebellion becomes the only path left. The tension builds through every page, making you feel the weight of choices that could ignite a movement and forever change the lives of those forced to fight back.
June 28, 2021
Honestly not bad. I would like to know what bits are true, a sort of historical afterword would be nice. The characters were sometimes too easy. No one gets over grief that quickly. The history part is so interesting. And too many narrator hints like "little did they know, it was the last time they would see eachother" and "they couldn't have known how close to the truth he really was". Stop it Brian.
But overall I had a really good time reading it and I learnt loads of stuff.
But overall I had a really good time reading it and I learnt loads of stuff.
December 10, 2025
I picked this up expecting a straightforward historical novel, but it surprised me. Van Norman focuses less on the machines and more on the people crushed between progress and survival. The book made me rethink the word ‘Luddite.’ These weren’t mindless machine-breakers, they were desperate workers fighting to stay alive. A slower read at times, but absolutely worth it
December 10, 2025
The strength of this book is its characters. Every chapter felt like peeling back another layer of fear, resentment, and hope from people caught in an impossible era. Some moments hit hard, especially the scenes in the mills. Loved the emotional honesty.
December 10, 2025
Couldn’t put this down. The tension between the workers and the mill owners builds like a thriller. I had no idea how violent and chaotic the Luddite rebellion really was. This book makes history feel alive and dangerous.
March 10, 2021
An interesting read with historical connections - read most of it when our internet, home phone and TV service was down for a few days (irony).
November 21, 2025
I am shocked that so many things happened in so few pages. As a result, I wasn't bored for a second.
February 6, 2020
Brian Van Norman’s novel – Against the Machine: Luddites – is not only a great read, it is an important book that does what historical fiction does best – shines the torch of a specific historical event on a parallel contemporary trend. The Luddites protested the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution; today we have all our eggs in the basket of the Technological Revolution. The parallels are obvious, as is the inevitability of the outcome.
In muscular language, earthy and poetic, Van Norman evokes the beauty and harshness of the Yorkshire Moors in a manner vivid for any reader, but especially so for this reader who spent five years of her youth on those blustery damp Moors.
In the midst of a war with France, challenged by Napoleon Bonaparte, the British government found itself threatened by a civil war at home, sparked by the dilemma of man versus the machine, compounded by poverty, injustice, and class oppression.
Using the hooks of violence, murder, sex and romance, Van Norman captures and holds the reader in suspense by ending each chapter with a predictive flourish. The battles are personalized by a broad cast of characters, focussing on the young Luddite leader, George Mellor. A dramatic prologue posits the original Ned Lud as a boy who rebelled not so much against the machines he smashed with a sledge hammer, but against the inhumanity of his employers. Machines are neutral, as is technology. It is all about how we use them.
The dramatic irony of this rollicking, terrifying tale comes when Mellor, through damage of his spirit, is himself rendered heartless and mechanical. His lover, Mary Buckworth, “found it curious he could not recognize he’d become the same as the tyrants he cursed.” As the fugitive Mellor is pursued to his inevitable end, he experiences a series of revelations, realizing himself “caught inside history.”
Van Norman’s book is visionary in its scope, illuminating humanity’s eternal struggle with wars and ideologies, only to be tricked across the generations by ever more subtle and elusive forms of enslavement. One is left with a deeper understanding of Nietzsche’s theory of eternal recurrence.
The research is impeccable, the details fascinating. The true meaning of “terrorism” is demonstrated together with its techniques. This is educational movie material.
In muscular language, earthy and poetic, Van Norman evokes the beauty and harshness of the Yorkshire Moors in a manner vivid for any reader, but especially so for this reader who spent five years of her youth on those blustery damp Moors.
In the midst of a war with France, challenged by Napoleon Bonaparte, the British government found itself threatened by a civil war at home, sparked by the dilemma of man versus the machine, compounded by poverty, injustice, and class oppression.
Using the hooks of violence, murder, sex and romance, Van Norman captures and holds the reader in suspense by ending each chapter with a predictive flourish. The battles are personalized by a broad cast of characters, focussing on the young Luddite leader, George Mellor. A dramatic prologue posits the original Ned Lud as a boy who rebelled not so much against the machines he smashed with a sledge hammer, but against the inhumanity of his employers. Machines are neutral, as is technology. It is all about how we use them.
The dramatic irony of this rollicking, terrifying tale comes when Mellor, through damage of his spirit, is himself rendered heartless and mechanical. His lover, Mary Buckworth, “found it curious he could not recognize he’d become the same as the tyrants he cursed.” As the fugitive Mellor is pursued to his inevitable end, he experiences a series of revelations, realizing himself “caught inside history.”
Van Norman’s book is visionary in its scope, illuminating humanity’s eternal struggle with wars and ideologies, only to be tricked across the generations by ever more subtle and elusive forms of enslavement. One is left with a deeper understanding of Nietzsche’s theory of eternal recurrence.
The research is impeccable, the details fascinating. The true meaning of “terrorism” is demonstrated together with its techniques. This is educational movie material.
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