Book Review: The Manual of Aeronautics: An Illustrated Guide to the Leviathan Series by Scott Westerfeld and Keith Thompson

I have to admit – I didn‘t read the Leviathan trilogy by Scott Westerfeld. I‘m not very much in YA novels and prefer books like Westerfeld‘s Succession series, a great example of science fiction.

I am however a great fan of Keith Thompson and own some of his art books. Thompson is really great when it comes to create organic looking technology or a mix of organic/mechanic. Often those illustrations are really creepy and strange but always excellently drawn.

This book is no exception. Based on Scott Westerfeld’s novels the Manual describes the vehicles of the two enemies in an alternate World War I – the Darwinists (OTL Entente), which use biomechanic vehicles; and the Clankers (OTL Central Powers), the masters of machine technology.

While the Darwinists section shows various creatures like modified krakens, huge floating monsters and smaller beasts, the Clankers have an arsenal of walkers, trains and aircrafts.

Several vehicles are also presented as cross sections and show very detailed interior views. The book manages really to create the feeling of a very strange alternate world.

Thompson also portrays various characters from the book as well as uniform of both alliances.

If you like strange vehicle concepts and cross sections, then The Manual of Aeronautics: An Illustrated Guide to the Leviathan Series is definitely a book you must add to your collection.