The Warlord of the Air is a 1971 British alternate history science fiction novel written by Michael Moorcock. It concerns the adventures of Oswald Bastable, an Edwardian-era soldier stationed in India, and his adventures in an alternate universe wherein the First World War never happened. It is part of Moorcock's 'A Nomad of the Time Streams' trilogy and, in both its use of technology extrapolated from the Edwardian era (such as airships) and a c...
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The Warlord of the Air is a 1971 British alternate history science fiction novel written by Michael Moorcock. It concerns the adventures of Oswald Bastable, an Edwardian-era soldier stationed in India, and his adventures in an alternate universe wherein the First World War never happened. It is part of Moorcock's 'A Nomad of the Time Streams' trilogy and, in both its use of technology extrapolated from the Edwardian era (such as airships) and a cod-Victorian / Edwardian era writing style, is generally considered a precursor to steampunk fiction. The novel was first published by Ace Books as part of their Ace Science Fiction Specials series.
The novel is transcribed by 'Michael Moorcock' (purportedly the (true) author's grandfather) in 1903. Holidaying at the remote Rowe Island, he befriends Oswald Bastable, an ex-soldier stowaway who seems confused and disoriented beyond what could be explained by his opium addiction, and who is tormented by great guilt from an action he performed in...
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