The Great War In England 1897 is an 1894 novel about an invasion of England by France and Russia. Interestingly, Germany comes in on England’s side.
It’s an interesting entry in what you might call the literature of the wars of futures past.
Books
The Battle of Dorking
Published in 1871, The Battle of Dorking is a novella about a German invasion of England. Set fifty years after the defeat and dissolution of the Empire, it is framed as the reminisces of a veteran to his grandchildren.
You might call this a novel of a war of futures past.
Book Review: Britains Toy Soldiers History and Handbook 1893 – 2013
Britains Toy Soldiers: The History and Handbook 1893 – 2013 by James Opie
On Amazon: Britains Toy Soldiers: The History and Handbook 1893 – 2013
Publisher’s Website: Pen and Sword
Britains Toy Soldiers is a lavishly illustrated history of the classic toy soldier line. The book is organized chronologically, with each section offering a description of significant product releases from that year. For example: In 1938, Britains released the first figures of British Troops from World War I. There is a color photo of the figures, along with text descriptions, and product numbers such as 1611 Prone 1938 2V-1941 U. Opie notes that Britains never did produce German figures from the period, and that the same figures were also released as American troops. The section also notes that the figures were likely released in response to Elastolin and Lineol figures that were marketed at the time.
Although I am not a Britains collector, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. It is a great history of the toy soldier beginnings of my miniature wargaming hobby. If you ARE a Britains collector, I think that this is a must-own.
From the publisher’s description:
This is the first full-color history of the world-famous toy soldiers to chart the whole story of their development from Victorian table toy to 21st Century collectable. Prior to 1893 the family toy business of the Britain family was struggling as the toy industry was dominated by German manufacturers and importers. Then came the fateful decision first to import, then to design and manufacture, toy soldiers, an area the German firms were particularly strong in. Britains Toy Soldiers were born and soon their boxes stamped with the slogan ‘Best Quality English Make’ were being eagerly opened by little boys across Britain and then around the world. The rest, as they say is history and it is all captured here by James Opie, the world’s leading expert on the subject, as he lovingly traces the varying fortunes of arguably the most famous British toy company.
Illustrated with lavish color photographs, many of them featuring items from the author’s own collection, the book includes feature sections such as collectors’ favorites and prices, high-value and famous sets, artistic highlights, quirks and mysteries. It is without doubt the most authoritative book on the subject and will be welcomed by the thousands of devoted collectors world wide as well as many more with fond memories of childhood battles with these beautiful toys.
Ten Days That Shook The World – Free EBook
Available for free from Amazon, Ten Days That Shook The World is John Reed’s first hand account of the October 1917 Russian Revolution. It was the basis of the movie, Reds. Reed was a socialist American journalist who is buried at the Kremlin.
It is, as you might expect, politically explosive and the target of praise or criticism, depending upon which side of the spectrum you sit.
Free Science Fiction From Microsoft
Future Visions is an anthology of science fiction short stories commissioned by Microsoft and available for free.
Future Visions features contributions from: Elizabeth Bear, Greg Bear, David Brin, Nancy Kress, Ann Leckie, Jack McDevitt, Seanan McGuire, Robert J. Sawyer and a short graphic novel by Blue Delliquanti and Michele Rosenthal, plus original illustrations by Joey Camacho.
You can get it here:
Future Visions: Original Science Fiction Inspired by Microsoft
The notion of a wealthy company paying artists to produce works for “free” puts me in mind of classical artists who produced works on commission for nobility or the church, or who worked for a patron. Going forward, commissions might be a way digitally vulnerable artists could continue to make a living. Products produced by photographers, film makers, writers and musicians and other similar creatives are too easily stolen and distributed, producing no income for the artists. A commission model, on the other hand, would pay them up front. The company or individual would not care if the product was distributed free, because their intent is to reach as wide an audience as possible for publicity and good will.
We see this already with concerts partially sponsored by various producers, and athletics, particularly in golf and racing. I also think there’s a hint of it in miniature wargaming, where figure manufacturers are commissioning rules sets and in many cases giving away the digital versions.