You can read my review of this book here: http://nyjournalofbooks.com/review/art-steampunk-extraordinary-devices-and-ingen... ( )

Mostly for the look. A bit of crossover with a couple of other steampunk books. ( )

This book is more of a museum catalog than an actual text. It covers the eponymous exhibit at the Oxford University Museum of the History of Science that was held October 2009-February 2010.
Calling it a catalog does do something of a disservice. There are no fewer than three introductory-type chapters that explain the phenomena and philosophy of Steampunk (in somewhat repetitive fashion, alas). After that there are individual chapters on each of the artists, along with some highlights of their work.
While a great deal of the work is standard steampunk fare of goggles and timepieces (even so, beautifully done) two artists, Kris Kuksi and Richard Nagy, stand out. Kuksi’s pieces are sculptural rather than wearable, and the level of detail is amazing, while Nagy tackles digital machines for the Victorian age. This volume is a fun addition to any enthusiast’s library.
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Steampunk by its very conception was meant to be quirky and odd-placed, not-of-this timeframe; actually, quite disarranged. In this collection of museum-exhibited pieces of steampunkery (if that's even a word)we find a daunting group of work from artists of all minds and capabilities. I found this book both charming and awe-inspiring. I could look at it over and over for ages.

Art Donovan, the man who coordinated the exhibit and compiled the works in this small book, has a keen eye for the wonders of steampunk and its place in the world of fine art. He comments that, "Steampunk has already influenced everything from product design to fine art and fashion." To which I want to make a resounding clap of hands! Jules Verne would be so amazed and joyful to see what his imagination wrought, and how man has taken it to the next steps and beyond.

In this book we see the beautiful, clean line and artistic aesthetic of physical scientific materials juxtaposed with natural products
and man-made materials such as refined leather and rubber. I'm only touching the surface when I give that much description because the clocks, lamps, laptops and other pieces shown in this exhibit will sit you back in your seat, spellbound and gaping.

This book may answer that question we had as children; why would someone want to be a "Cat Burglar?" Why in this case is because the amazing, inventive gadgets made into works of art are so superior and elegant they are incomparable treasures!

See a trailer of the book on YouTube!

When you peruse this book, it will take you out of the 21st century and place you someplace else, and you'll want to don brass, iron, leather, jewels, stone, crystals and time-pieces...you'll want to be wound up in a time machine and a steampunk gizmo for a trip. You'll wish you'd been at this amazing display of formidable artists' designs. ( )

This review is a departure from the novels I normally review.

Examples of Steampunk that you’ve undoubtedly run across in movies include The Wild, Wild West, Brazil, and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen to name just a few. In literature, think of authors like H.G. Wells, Jules Vern, and Mary Shelly. Who didn’t love 20,000 Leagues under the Sea or Frankenstein? Read the rest of my review at http://popcornreads.com/?p=1388 ( )