by Edward S. Ellis
About this book
Edward S. Ellis's Steam Man of the Prairies propels listeners into a rollicking fusion of frontier adventure and early science fiction that helped shape nineteenth-century American popular literature. Johnny Brainerd, a resourceful young inventor, gives rise to a colossal steam-powered man that becomes a moving carriage and a magnet for perilous exploits across the wide prairie. Joined by the Yankee Ethan Hopkins and the colorful Mickey McSquizzle, Johnny navigates buffalo hunts, grizzly confrontations, rugged terrain, miners, trappers, and tense encounters on the open range—always with invention and courage at the story’s heart.
Woven with themes of ingenuity, camaraderie, and the clash between technology and untamed nature, this fast-paced work sits comfortably in the tradition of dime novels while foreshadowing later science fiction and steampunk sensibilities. Its vivid frontier setting and episodic structure capture the optimism and anxieties of a nation fascinated by machines and expansion.
Perfect for listeners who love classic adventure fiction, early science-fiction curiosities, or historical tales of American exploration and invention—Steam Man of the Prairies is an entertaining, imaginative ride for fans of robust storytelling and vintage speculative fiction.
