Hartmann, The Anarchist (1893) by E Douglas Fawcett

Dirigibles, Zeppelins, Airships, Blimps – whatever you want to call them there's no doubt these inflatable monsters of the sky exert a deep fascination for fans of aviation and modern day "Steam Punks" everywhere. Well, this book is where it all began!

Hartmann the Anarchist was originally published in 1892 when Edward Douglas Fawcett was 16 years old and has been out of print for more than 100 years. In it, Fawcett's imagination creates "The Attila" from a wondrous new form of lighter-than-air metal, canvas and ships' rigging and has it piloted by Rudolph Hartmann, one of the most fiendish villains in literary history, raining pitiless death and destruction from the skies on Parliament, St Pauls and the City. Just 20 years later, Fawcett's apocalyptic vision came true when German zeppelins bombed London.

Hartmann the Anarchist is a man who harnesses the power of science, engineering and Victorian ingenuity – only to use it for diabolical means although some might argue his choice of targets is understandable.

Keep watching the skies, comrades!