Steam, Steel and Speed

John Nicholson (author/illustrator)

Allen & Unwin, 2008; 32pp

ISBN: 9781741750461

Genres: history, information text, non-fiction

'Steam, Steel & Speed' is the fourth book in this ‘Transport, Trade and Travel in Australia' series.

It looks at the impact steam engines had on society from 1850-1820. The Industrial Revolution is generally thought of as something that happened in other countries and while the innovative engine and transport designs came mostly from America and the UK, they certainly had an impact on Australia.

Nicholson explains in detail the development of rail across Australia, including the problem of different gauges (width of track) between states. Rail transport - especially goods trains - had an enormous impact on Australia's primary industries and employment. Nicholson is careful to explore some of the negative impacts of the Industrial Revolution - the demise of smaller businesses that couldn't afford or compete with the technology and the beginning of significant pollution, for example.

While this is a thoroughly researched work by a respected writer, the text is dense and the layout rather old-fashioned. In 'The Big Picture Book', Allen & Unwin demonstrated an understanding of modern readers. The layout in that book combined spectacular photographs and illustrations, the text was used imaginatively.

'Steam, Steel and Speed' is disappointing in its very traditional layout. Although the illustrations are exquisite in detail and provide clear, understandable images of old techniques such as splitting trees for railway logs and bending railway lines, they are insufficient to grab the attention of a bored student. The addition of photographs of restored steam trains, cars, ships and engines would have enlivened and enriched Nicholson's skilled drawings.

The text is interesting but would be more approachable for younger readers if divided into more accessible paragraphs. A more modern layout that included annotated illustrations to photographs, ‘interesting facts' and generally conveyed the passion and interest that Nicholson obviously feels for history would have done much to engage the reader.

As it is, although a solid and informative text that will link well with Stage 3 and 4 units on Australian history, 'Steam, Steel & Speed' lacks the overall appeal that is necessary to promote enthusiastic reading of information texts by all but those obsessed with the topic.