Book Review: The Steam Man of the Prairies by Edward S. Ellis

This is an interesting and fun vintage science fiction.

The Steam Man of the Prairies
by Edward S. Ellis

Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Dover Publications (July 20, 2016)
ISBN-13: 978-0486806136
Genre: Vintage Sci Fi, Steampunk
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

One of the earliest examples of steampunk literature, this 1868 story was actually written during the Victorian era and was among the first American science-fiction novels. In fact, the tale features the very first literary instance of a mechanical man, published long before the term "robot" was coined. Extremely popular and much imitated in its day, The Steam Man of the Prairies recounts a teenage inventor's road test of his automaton, in which he conducts a party of gold prospectors across Indian territory.
This book marked the beginning of a genre that came to be known as edisonades — dime novels centered on a young genius and his invention that captivated boys of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Educator and author Edward S. Ellis wrote more than 100 such tales, under his own name and more than a dozen others. In addition to appealing to boys' fascination with engineering and technology, edisonades offered plenty of action and adventure in untamed parts of the world. As Kirkus Reviews noted, "Ellis' works serve as a good window into the attitudes of the time and provide some context for how the future was viewed as well as how much the world was changing."

Review:
Young Johnny Brainerd started being a tinker almost as a toddler. Once bored with standard inventions, he jumps upon his mother’s suggestion to create a mechanical man. He hides it in his garage until one day a strange looking man gets a glimpse. Tracker, frontiersman, Baldy Bicknell, is immediately fascinated by the steam man. He assures Johnny that they can test it out on the prairies where it can be very useful to help another project that he is involved with. Baldy is working with two rough miners seeking gold! But the men have been under constant threat from Indian attacks. Perhaps the appearance of a huge steam man could scare the Indians.

This story was written in 1868 which I think makes it remarkable fun. The steampunk elements are presented with good, reliable detail. The author uses rough accents to convey personalities to the characters. They are not deeply developed but there is enough portrayal to make them interesting and real to the time period. The story is creative and has action with the running steam man and dangerous confrontations with the Indians. The writing is not precise and could have benefited from a good editing. Still this is a quick, fun read. I recommend it to steampunk fans and to those interested in sci fi literature history.

I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley. This qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

Sunday Post October 16, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 17, 2016

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I am still working on my To Do stacks of files at work. I have two probates finishing this week and I have three litigation cases set for final hearing in November.
Hubby is doing well although he grumbles about his exercises.
We are enjoying the cooler weather. I'll be attending a Florida book conference this weekend.

I really enjoyed my reading and listening this week. I finished two ebook, one print books and one Audible. I posted three reviews and the usual memes.

I visited early in the week.
This week I highlight Greg's Book Haven. He always shares fascinating art images, videos and cover characteristic posts. Set aside some time to take a look and enjoy. (I just wish I had more time to explore all he shares!)
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post October 9, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 10, 2016.

• Book Review: Ergon by George HS Singer; Poetry; my rating 4.25.

• Audio Book Review: Loreena's Gift by Colleen M. Story; Inspirational, Fantasy; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 14, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/13/2016.

• Audible Book Review: Lost in a Good Book: A Thursday Next Novel by Jasper Fforde; Alternate History; my rating 4.5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #274 Comment Giveaway October 15, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/15/2016.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 16, 2016.

Finished Reading:

1. Print (Author)

Ergon
by George HS Singer
This is thought-provoking poetry.
My review is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG)

The Steam Man of the Prairies
by Edward S. Ellis
This was fun and interesting early steampunk.
I received this through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (Author)

The Soul Summoner
by Elicia Hyder
This is very engaging story telling.
I had this as a free Kindle book from 2015 plus it was offered this summer as a free book from the Author.

4. Audible (TBR)

What Happens in London
Written by: Julia Quinn
Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor
This reminded me why I collected Julia Quinn books. This was in my Audible library since 2012. It is a TBR and "W" for Alphabet Soup.
Publisher's Summary
Rumors and Gossip . . . The lifeblood of London
When Olivia Bevelstoke is told that her new neighbor may have killed his fiancée, she doesn't believe it for a second, but, still, how can she help spying on him, just to be sure? So she stakes out a spot near her bedroom window, cleverly concealed by curtains, watches, and waits . . . and discovers a most intriguing man, who is definitely up to something. Sir Harry Valentine works for the boring branch of the War Office, translating documents vital to national security.
He's not a spy, but he's had all the training, and when a gorgeous blonde begins to watch him from her window, he is instantly suspicious. But just when he decides that she's nothing more than an annoyingly nosy debutante, he discovers that she might be engaged to a foreign prince, who might be plotting against England. And when Harry is roped into spying on Olivia, he discovers that he might be falling for her himself . . .
©2009 Julie Cotler Pottinger; (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Extracted (The Lost Imperials Series Book 1)
by Sherry D. Ficklin and Tyler H. Jolley
I am 10% into this 
and liking the time travel and steampunk.
I got this through NetGalley.
Two opposing factions of time travelers vie for control of the future in this thrilling steampunk series opener dubbed "Interesting" and "Unexpected" by Kirkus Reviews.
Lex and Ember—two time travelers with no memories of their lives before being recruited into the time war—are torn between the factions. When Lex accepts a mission that lands him deep within the heart of the Telsa Institute, he meets Ember, and the past that was stolen from them comes flooding back. Now armed with the truth of who they were, Lex and Ember must work together to save the future before the battle for time destroys them once again.
*This special edition contains expanded content and bonus material not found in the first release.

2. Audible (TBR)

Heroes Are My Weakness
Written by: Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Narrated by: Erin Bennett
I picked this one from my Audible Library to listen to for TBR and "H". Interesting beginning with a Gothic feel.
Publisher's Summary
Deepest winter.
An isolated island off the coast of Maine.
A man.
A woman.
Puppets. (Yes, puppets…)
And…
A mysterious house looming over the sea…
He's a reclusive writer whose imagination creates chilling horror novels. She's a down-on-her-luck actress reduced to staging kids' puppet shows. He knows a dozen ways to kill his characters with his bare hands. She knows a dozen ways to kill an audience with laughs. But she's not laughing now.
Annie Hewitt has arrived on Peregrine Island in the middle of a snowstorm and at the end of her resources. She's broke, dispirited, but not quite ready to give up. Her red suitcases hold the puppets she uses to make her living: sensible Dilly, spunky Scamp, and Leo, the baddest of bad guys. Her puppets, the romantic novels she loves, and a little bit of courage are all she has left.
Annie couldn't be more ill prepared for what she finds when she reaches Moonraker Cottage or for the man who dwells in Harp House, the mysterious mansion that hovers above the cottage from a windblown cliff. When she was a teenager, he betrayed her in a way she can never forget or forgive. Now they're trapped together on a frozen island along with a lonely widow, a mute little girl, and townspeople who don't know how to mind their own business.
Is he the villain she remembers or has he changed? Her head says no. Her heart says yes.
It's going to be a long, hot winter.
©2014 Susan Elizabeth Phillips (P)2014 HarperCollinsPublishers

3. eBook/Kindle

Quirky Essays for Quirky People: The Complete Collection
by Barbara Venkataraman
This is a title from the author 
(and will be a "Q" for Alphabet Challenge).
For the first time, all in one place, the award-winning books, "A Trip to the Hardware Store & Other Calamities," and "I'm Not Talking About You, Of Course," PLUS seven bonus essays. What a collection! If this doesn't make you smile, then you're not even trying.
"A Trip to the Hardware Store"
These humorous essays explore such quirky topics as: disastrous home repairs, ("A Trip to the Hardware Store"), an unfortunate dinner party ("Dinner is Served"), the truth about lazy people ("Lazy Bones"), the weird life of a debt collector ("Your Account is Past Due") and obsessions with gadgets ("Gadget Girl"). Other essays examine how surreal the aging process is ("Where Did the Time Go?"), why you shouldn't judge a person by their job ("Beyond Belief"), and how to complicate simple transactions ("High Finance").
"I'm Not Talking About You, Of Course"
A collection of humorous insights into important topics ranging from annoying pet people ("I'm Not Talking About You, Of Course"), to analyzing your inner child ("Irrational Fears"), to living like the Amish in the aftermath of a hurricane ("A Jolt of Electricity"). Other essays examine just how much damage can be caused by a sneeze ("It All Started with a Loud Sneeze"), why it is so complicated to buy a tube of toothpaste ("Ask Me No Questions"), how a parent's obsessive hobbies can become an inescapable vortex ("Crazy Hobbies"), and why spending the night in a sleep clinic is like being abducted by probing aliens ("Nightmare at the Sleep Clinic").
If you don't see yourself in each of these entertaining essays, then I'm not talking about you, of course.

October 2, 2016 - I have really enjoyed reading Isaiah with all of its prophesies. I remain up to date with Reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I will also be listening (sometimes) to the companion commentary online.

I posted three reviews which keeps me up to date and leaves me with four for this week.

I have requested a couple of audio titles as I can always squeeze listening in!
I continue reading author titles. I am reading another to bring the list to six this week.
My NetGalley shelf was down to one but I just refilled it to seven.
I was planning/hoping to get to TBRs for November when I will participate in Sci Fi Month but then I just picked up these new NG sci fi titles so TBRs will be squeezed in between.

We continue to add upcoming releases at eTreasure's NetGalley page.
We'll be working on another fiction title to go up this week.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I still have new review requests to consider.
I had a happy day picking titles at NetGalley. :-)
I purchased one Kindle book.
I did resist the second Audible Sci Fi sale but this week I'll be picking up my two September credit selections.
I picked up the usual healthy number of free kindle titles -- Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I selected six Sci Fi titles from NetGalley. Guess I'll be reading several during November Sci Fi month!

The Wrong Unit: A Novel
by Rob Dircks
"It’s a science fiction tale of technology gone haywire, unlikely heroes, and the nature of humanity. (Woah. That last part sounds deep. Don’t worry, it’s not.)"

(I really like this cover.)

Toru: Wayfarer Returns

by Stephanie R. Sorensen

"Revolutionary young samurai with dirigibles take on Commodore Perry and his Black Ships in this alternate history steampunk technofantasy set in 1850s samurai-era Japan."

The Invisible City
by Brian K. Lowe
"Tracking German soldiers through the muddy trenches of France, Captain Charles Clee stumbles onto something amazing--a secret archeological expedition from the far future."

The Circuit

by Rhett C. Bruno

"A hard-charging opener to a promising, if bloody, space-opera series." —KIRKUS

The Reader
by MK Harkins
This one is actually listed as paranormal - and clean & wholesome.
"Hunted, shot, and without her memory, eighteen-year-old Ann Baker wakes in shallow water on a deserted Pacific Northwest island."

Free Space

by Sean Danker

"In the follow-up to Admiral, the intergalactic war has ended and hostilities between the Evagardian Empire and the Commonwealth are officially over, but the admiral is far from safe. . . ."

Won

NONE

Purchased

I purchased one $.99 Kindle - I couldn't resist.


To the Stars and Back: 5 Book Science Fiction Bundle
C.F. Barnes
"To the Stars and Back is a collection of books that range from Space Opera to Near-Future post-apocalypse and many stops in between."

Free

I only added 43 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement October 16, 2016

We attended another church this morning to share in their Unity Service. One of their preachers is part of the Band of Brothers that meets at our church. He invited others of the group to come and bring their wives. We were warmly welcomed and enjoyed the Sunday School message on the sovereignty of Jesus, the exuberant praise music and the good word shared.

The pastor centered his message on Philemon 10-11. He noted that although the verses do not contain the word “forgiveness” the message is one that tells us to be forgiving. (The text is below the song video.) Paul became friends with Onesimus, a runaway slave, while in prison. Onesimus had run from Philemon and ran into Paul. The letter reminds Philemon that we all have some past. We all have good in us. Often, to see the good you may have to practice three steps:

• 1) Release the other from his past – we all have a past filled with wrong actions before we were changed by Christ into a new creation.
• 2) Recognize the other’s progress. I am a work in process and so is my brother or sister. Mark 8:23-25 when it took a second touch to heal a blind man. We all need a touch and usually multiple touches on our mind, our mouth, our heart and our body. Onesimus was a slave, now he is a son to Paul and therefore a brother of Philemon.
• 3) Respect my purpose. God can use whoever he wishes. Not everyone has a title but God can still use them. They just need to be willing to be used. That fact that the product has a dent doesn’t mean it’s finished. There is still some good in you.

Added to this is a ‘type or shadow’ of Jesus. Paul says at verse 18: ‘If Onesimus owes you, put it on my tab.” Most important for all of us to remember about each who share Christ: There is some good!

This is one of the songs we shared in this morning.

Verses for today:
Philemon 10-11New International Version (NIV)
10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

Lord I thank you that we are all one in the body of Christ. Help us to see beyond outward differences and embrace our oneness. Help us to love one another as you have commanded.

Sharing Beyond Books #274 Comment Giveaway October 15, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Three commenters might picture celebrities and six might visualize their own image of the characters. But the rest of us, (nine), do not really create or see character images.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #273 comments is: #5 SueF who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. [I'm hoping to update the book choices - maybe the beginning of next year, lol.] Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #274

(One Question.)

bn100 asks: Can you stop anywhere in a book or do you have to finish the chapter??

This is another good question. Our ladies in book club noted this month that they like shorter chapters because they want to stop at the end of a chapter. Although that is my preference, I will stop in the middle if need be. Sometimes I just grab a few sentences before I am interrupted or have to get back to life tasks. So I am willing to snatch what I can whenever I can. :-).

Image Found at Quotesgram.com.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify.

Your turn to share: bn100 asks: Can you stop anywhere in a book or do you have to finish the chapter??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. One of these days I will get together a new box of Christmas titles.)

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday October 22, 2016 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Lost in a Good Book: A Thursday Next Novel by Jasper Fforde

This is crazy fun listening - makes me chuckle and smile.
Lost in a Good Book: A Thursday Next Novel
Written by: Jasper Fforde
Narrated by: Emily Gray

Length: 12 hrs and 59 mins
Series: Thursday Next Novels, Book 2
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:03-08-11
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Genre: Female Detective, Alternate History
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Intrepid literary detective Thursday Next is back in the second installment of Jasper Fforde's one-of-a-kind series. The inventive, exuberant, and totally original literary fun that began with The Eyre Affair continues with Jasper Fforde’s magnificent second adventure starring the resourceful, fearless literary sleuth Thursday Next.
When Landen, the love of her life, is eradicated by the corrupt multinational Goliath Corporation, Thursday must moonlight as a Prose Resource Operative of Jurisfiction—the police force inside books. She is apprenticed to the man-hating Miss Havisham from Dickens’s Great Expectations, who grudgingly shows Thursday the ropes. And she gains just enough skill to get herself in a real mess entering the pages of Poe’s "The Raven".
What she really wants is to get Landen back. But this latest mission is not without further complications.
Along with jumping into the works of Kafka and Austen, and even Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies, Thursday finds herself the target of a series of potentially lethal coincidences, the authenticator of a newly discovered play by the Bard himself, and the only one who can prevent an unidentifiable pink sludge from engulfing all life on Earth.
Delve into Jasper Fforde's literary universe with the other books in his Thursday Next fantasy/detective series.
©2011 Jasper Fforde (P)2011 Penguin Audiobooks

Review:
Thursday Next is a spunky literary detective working for Spec Ops (Special Operations) in an alternate London. Thursday won notoriety in her successful investigation in Book 1, The Eyre Affair, when she took down a prime criminal, Hades. Thursday is dodging the division’s publicist who keeps seeking her presence for promotions.

During an investigation, Thursday is caught in a time slip that involves her with Neanderthals, who have been recreated and trapped as civil slaves. A second loop indicates that Thursday is the target of an assassin. Thursday’s father is fully aware of time jumps and time slips as he was a “Chronoguard” officer who went rogue and lives in an alternate timeline while trying to prove corruption in the system. He is willing to help Thursday but needs her help to prevent the eminent destruction of the world from a strange pink goo.

Meanwhile Thursday is also facing threats from the corrupt corporate giant, Goliath. Goliath’s leader has a step-brother who was trapped by Thursday in Poe’s The Raven. Now the leader has ‘eradicated’ Thursday's husband, Landon. He is blackmailing Thursday to show him how to get into the literary library world to rescue his step brother.

The prior portal to the literary realm was opened by Thursday’s uncle, a prolific inventor. Now it has been closed and Thursday doesn’t realize she can get to the realm without the portal until she is cornered. She finds herself in the world of Dicken’s Great Expectations where she becomes the apprentice to Miss Havisham. She is assigned to help with the internal police force, the Prose Resource Operative of Jurisfiction. During her tasks Thursday ventures into the worlds of Kafka, Jane Austen, and even Beatrix Potter. She makes enemies and friends of the Neanderthals who have been recreated and trapped as civil slaves.

If all of that sounds rather crazy, it is – zany, crazy fun especially for those of us bibliophiles who are familiar with the classic authors and works that make up part of the stories’ adventures. It had been a while since I read The Eyre Affair but I remembered that it was fun listening. As I began this story it took me only a few minutes to remember the characters and get back into the fast-paced, comical stream of Thursday’s world. I love her unique pet, Pickwick, a dodo bird. The author melds literary characters with a rather fantastical world of strange, and sometimes corrupt, police procedures.

I recommend this series to readers who want to enjoy light, fun, literature name-dropping entertainment. I will be picking up Book 3, The Well of Lost Plots: A Thursday Next Novel, for future listening fun.

Audio Notes: Emily Gray does a wonderful job narrating this craziness. Her tone conveys a perfect flighty atmosphere to enhance the characters and dialogue. Although I am sure this is fun in print, for me it is a hoot in audio.

This selection is from my Audible library picked up in August, 2012. It qualifies for TBR Mountain, Audio Book Challenge and "L" in Alphabet Soup Challenge.