Engines of Empire

Steamships and the Victorian Imagination

By: Douglas R. Burgess

Narrated by: Douglas R. Pratt

Steamships occupied a singular place in the Victorian mind. Crossing oceans, ferrying tourists and troops alike, they became emblems of nationalism, modernity, and humankind's triumph over the cruel elements. Throughout the 19th century, the spectacle of a ship's launch was one of the most recognizable symbols of British social and technological progress. Yet this celebration of the power of the empire masked overconfidence and an almost religious veneration of technology. Equating steam with civilization had catastrophic consequences for subjugated peoples around the world.

Engines of Empire tells the story of the complex relationship between Victorians and their wondrous steamships, following famous travelers like Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, and Jules Verne as well as ordinary spectators, tourists, and imperial administrators as they crossed oceans bound for the colonies. Rich with anecdotes and wry humor, it is a fascinating glimpse into a world where an empire felt powerful and anything seemed possible if there was an engine behind it.

The book is published by Stanford University Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

"Anyone interested in ships and their impact on civilization will find in Engines of Empire a study worthy of their time and attention." (Sea History)

"A masterful narrative that restores steamships to their proper place as the technological marvel of the nineteenth century." (Joshua Smith, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy)

"Boldly reconceptualizes historical understandings of technology, empire, transnationalism, and modernization." (Glenn S. Gordinier, author of The Rocket's Red Glare)

©2016 Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (P)2022 Redwood Audiobooks