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The Difference Engine - Alternate History
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The Difference Engine

description The Difference Engine Overview

The Difference Engine is a 1990 alternate-history novel by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling. It imagines a Victorian Britain in which Charles Babbage's mechanical calculating engines have been successfully developed, helping create an information-oriented industrial society decades earlier than in real history. Set largely in nineteenth-century London, the novel combines detective and political plots with a steampunk treatment of technology, class, and power.

help The Difference Engine FAQ

How good is The Difference Engine?
The Difference Engine scores 6.53/10 (Fair) on Lunoo, making it rated in the Alternate History category.
What are the best alternatives to The Difference Engine?
See our alternatives page for The Difference Engine for a ranked list with scores. Top alternatives include: A Transatlantic Tunnel, Hurrah!, Anno Dracula, The Peshawar Lancers.
How does The Difference Engine compare to A Transatlantic Tunnel, Hurrah!?
See our detailed comparison of The Difference Engine vs A Transatlantic Tunnel, Hurrah! with scores, features, and an AI-powered verdict.
Is The Difference Engine worth it in 2026?
With a score of 6.53/10, The Difference Engine is a solid option in Alternate History. See all Alternate History ranked.

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