Listen and read

Step into an infinite world of stories

  • Read and listen as much as you want
  • Over 950 000 titles
  • Exclusive titles + Storytel Originals
  • Easy to cancel anytime
Try now
image.devices-Singapore 2x
Cover for The Volcanic Valve: Steam, Schemes, and Slightly Singed Scientists

The Volcanic Valve: Steam, Schemes, and Slightly Singed Scientists

Series

439 of 462

Duration
0H 22min
Language
English
Format
Category

Children

The Volcanic Valve by W. L. Alden - When a brilliant inventor tries to control volcanic eruptions with a mechanical valve, his bold experiment threatens to unleash fiery chaos on an unsuspecting world.

W. L. Alden (1837–1908) was an American writer, humorist, and journalist best known for his early contributions to science fiction and speculative literature. Born in New York, Alden studied law and became a practicing attorney before turning to writing. He served as a journalist and editor for several newspapers, including the New York Times and Harper’s Weekly, and was appointed U.S. Consul in Rome in the 1880s.

Alden’s fiction often blended satire, gentle absurdity, and imaginative speculation, marking him as a forerunner of American science fiction humor. He contributed to The Idler, The Strand Magazine, and Puck, among others. His best-known speculative works include “A New Form of Government” and the collection Among the Freaks (1896), which showcased his flair for whimsical inventions and improbable scenarios.

Though less known today, Alden was part of a literary movement that helped shape early science fiction, particularly with stories involving quirky inventions, mechanical men, and undersea adventures. His writing reflects a playful curiosity about technology and society that resonates with fans of classic speculative fiction.

© 2025 Scott Miller (Audiobook): 9798318352584

Release date

Audiobook: 8 June 2025

Others also enjoyed ...

Features:

  • Over 950 000 titles

  • Kids Mode (child safe environment)

  • Download books for offline access

  • Cancel anytime

Most popular

Unlimited

For those who want to listen and read without limits.

S$12.98 /month
3 days for free
  • 1 account

  • Unlimited Access

  • Unlimited listening

  • Cancel anytime

Try now

Unlimited Bi-yearly

For those who want to listen and read without limits.

S$69 /6 months
14 days for free
Save 11%
  • 1 account

  • Unlimited Access

  • Unlimited listening

  • Cancel anytime

Try now

Unlimited Yearly

For those who want to listen and read without limits.

S$119 /year
14 days for free
Save 24%
  • 1 account

  • Unlimited Access

  • Unlimited listening

  • Cancel anytime

Try now

Family

For those who want to share stories with family and friends.

From S$14.90/month
  • 2-3 accounts

  • Unlimited Access

  • Unlimited listening

  • Cancel anytime

2 accounts

S$14.90 /month
Try now