The Angel Of The Revolution

With the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, Europe faced the prospect of a united Germany and a major shift in the delicate balance of power. As a result stories started to appear, first in Britain, then France, America, Russia and even Germany, warning of the prospects of a future war. Over time, these became ever more elaborate, and one of the most startling of all was the debut novel by George Griffith. The novel tells of a young man who invents a flying machine. His invention is taken up by an anarchist organization, the Brotherhood of Freedom, who want to use the power of the airship to end oppression and misery. But at the same time the European powers are mobilising for war, and while the Brotherhood tries to avoid taking sides, they nevertheless find themselves drawn into the conflict. However, thanks to the massive superiority of their air power, and with a huge network of followers in every country ready to rise up at the appropriate moment, the Brotherhood is able to take nation after nation out of the fight. Finally, the Brotherhood is in a position to persuade all the nations that the only way to avoid destruction is to make all future wars impossible. Why it's on the list: Although he has been overshadowed by his close contemporary, H.G. Wells, George Griffith was one of the masters of the scientific romance. Michael Moorcock has identified Griffith as a major influence on his own work, and he has been claimed as an early ancestor of steampunk.