Rumors of War and Infernal Machines

Technomilitary Agenda-setting in American and British Speculative Fiction

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, Reference, Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, History & Theory
Cover of the book Rumors of War and Infernal Machines by Charles E. Gannon, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Charles E. Gannon ISBN: 9780742568716
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Publication: August 11, 2005
Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Language: English
Author: Charles E. Gannon
ISBN: 9780742568716
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Publication: August 11, 2005
Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Language: English

This provocative and unique work reveals the remarkably influential role of futuristic literature on contemporary political power in America. Tracing this phenomenon from its roots in Victorian Britain, Rumors of War and Infernal Machines offers a fascinating exploration of how fictional speculations on emergent or imaginary military technologies profoundly influence the political agendas and actions of modern superpower states. Gannon convincingly demonstrates that military fiction anticipated and even influenced the evolution of the tank, the development of the airplane, and also the bitter political battles within Britain's War Office and the Admiralty. In the United States, future-fictions and Cold-War thrillers were an officially acknowledged factor in the Pentagon's research and development agendas, and often gave rise_and shape_to the nation's strategic development of technologies as diverse as automation, atomic weaponry, aerospace vehicles, and the Strategic Defense Initiative ('Star Wars'). His book reveals a striking relationship between the increasing political influence of speculative military fiction and the parallel rise of superpower states and their technocentric ideologies. With its detailed political, historical, and literary analysis of U.S. and British fascination with hi-tech warfare, this lively and revealing study will appeal to students, literary and cultural scholars, military and history enthusiasts, and general readers.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This provocative and unique work reveals the remarkably influential role of futuristic literature on contemporary political power in America. Tracing this phenomenon from its roots in Victorian Britain, Rumors of War and Infernal Machines offers a fascinating exploration of how fictional speculations on emergent or imaginary military technologies profoundly influence the political agendas and actions of modern superpower states. Gannon convincingly demonstrates that military fiction anticipated and even influenced the evolution of the tank, the development of the airplane, and also the bitter political battles within Britain's War Office and the Admiralty. In the United States, future-fictions and Cold-War thrillers were an officially acknowledged factor in the Pentagon's research and development agendas, and often gave rise_and shape_to the nation's strategic development of technologies as diverse as automation, atomic weaponry, aerospace vehicles, and the Strategic Defense Initiative ('Star Wars'). His book reveals a striking relationship between the increasing political influence of speculative military fiction and the parallel rise of superpower states and their technocentric ideologies. With its detailed political, historical, and literary analysis of U.S. and British fascination with hi-tech warfare, this lively and revealing study will appeal to students, literary and cultural scholars, military and history enthusiasts, and general readers.

More books from Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Cover of the book Social Media Strategy by Charles E. Gannon
Cover of the book Eating Disorders by Charles E. Gannon
Cover of the book Vintage Knowledge for Principals by Charles E. Gannon
Cover of the book Leadership Matters by Charles E. Gannon
Cover of the book Extreme Curriculum Makeover by Charles E. Gannon
Cover of the book Security 2.0 by Charles E. Gannon
Cover of the book Practicing Balance by Charles E. Gannon
Cover of the book 100 Greatest Video Game Franchises by Charles E. Gannon
Cover of the book Why the First-Year Seminar Matters by Charles E. Gannon
Cover of the book Corporate Power and the Environment by Charles E. Gannon
Cover of the book The Question is the Answer by Charles E. Gannon
Cover of the book Shades of Green by Charles E. Gannon
Cover of the book Why School Leaders Need Vision by Charles E. Gannon
Cover of the book The Gallup Poll by Charles E. Gannon
Cover of the book Exhibit Labels by Charles E. Gannon
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy