About the book
The 20th anniversary edition of the classic steampunk novel
With new commentary by the authors
1855: The Industrial Revolution is in full swing, powered by steam-driven cybernetic Engines. Charles Babbage perfects his Analytical Engine, and the computer age arrives a century ahead of its time. Three extraordinary characters race toward a rendezvous with the future: Sybil Gerard—fallen woman, politician’s tart, daughter of a Luddite agitator; Edward “Leviathan” Mallory—explorer and paleontologist; Laurence Oliphant—diplomat, mystic, and spy. Their adventure begins with the discovery of a box of punched Engine cards of unknown origin and purpose. Cards someone wants badly enough to kill for.
Part detective story, part historical thriller, The Difference Engine took the science fiction community by storm when it was first published twenty years ago. This special anniversary edition features an Introduction by Cory Doctorow and a collaborative essay from the authors looking back on their creation. Provocative, compelling, intensely imagined, this novel is poised to impress a whole new generation.
Editions of The Difference Engine
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780553070286
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780553073461
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780553294613
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780440423621
- EBook
- ISBN 9780307801272
- EBook
- ISBN 9780345532589
Read an Excerpt
The 20th anniversary edition of the classic steampunk novel
With new commentary by the authors
1855: The Industrial Revolution is in full swing, powered by steam-driven cybernetic Engines. Charles Babbage perfects his Analytical Engine, and the computer age arrives a century ahead of its time. Three extraordinary characters race toward a rendezvous with the future: Sybil Gerard—fallen woman, politician’s tart, daughter of a Luddite agitator; Edward “Leviathan” Mallory—explorer and paleontologist; Laurence Oliphant—diplomat, mystic, and spy. Their adventure begins with the discovery of a box of punched Engine cards of unknown origin and purpose. Cards someone wants badly enough to kill for.
Part detective story, part historical thriller, The Difference Engine took the science fiction community by storm when it was first published twenty years ago. This special anniversary edition features an Introduction by Cory Doctorow and a collaborative essay from the authors looking back on their creation. Provocative, compelling, intensely imagined, this novel is poised to impress a whole new generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Difference Engine about?
The 20th anniversary edition of the classic steampunk novel
With new commentary by the authors
1855: The Industrial Revolution is in full swing, powered by steam-driven cybernetic Engines. Charles Babbage perfects his Analytical Engine, and the computer age arrives a century ahead of its time. Three extraordinary characters race toward a rendezvous with the future: Sybil Gerard—fallen woman, politician’s tart, daughter of a Luddite agitator; Edward “Leviathan” Mallory—explorer and paleontologist; Laurence Oliphant—diplomat, mystic, and spy. Their adventure begins with the discovery of a box of punched Engine cards of unknown origin and purpose. Cards someone wants badly enough to kill for.
Part detective story, part historical thriller, The Difference Engine took the science fiction community by storm when it was first published twenty years ago. This special anniversary edition features an Introduction by Cory Doctorow and a collaborative essay from the authors looking back on their creation. Provocative, compelling, intensely imagined, this novel is poised to impress a whole new generation.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Difference Engine?
Fiction > Science fiction > Science fiction: steampunk
Where can I read a sample of The Difference Engine?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780553070286
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Difference Engine?
Bruce Sterling, William Gibson
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Difference Engine is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780553070286) and hardcover(ISBN 9780553073461) and paperback(ISBN 9780553294613) and paperback(ISBN 9780440423621) and ebook(ISBN 9780307801272) and ebook(ISBN 9780345532589)
Where can I buy The Difference Engine online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Difference Engine from below
Where can I buy The Difference Engine?