Books
Cosplay: A History: The Builders, Fans, and Makers Who Bring Your Favorite Stories to Life
A history of the colorful and complex kingdom of cosplay and fandom fashion by Andrew Liptak, journalist, historian, and member of the legendary fan-based Star Wars organization the 501st Legion.
In recent years, cosplay—the practice of dressing up in costume as a character—has exploded, becoming a mainstream cultural phenomenon. But what are the circumstances that made its rise possible?
Andrew Liptak—a member of the legendary 501st Legion, an international fan-based organization dedicated to the dark side of Star Wars—delves into the origins and culture of cosplay to answer this question. Cosplay: A History looks at the practice’s ever-growing fandom and conventions, its roots in 15th-century costuming, the relationship between franchises and the cosplayers they inspire, and the technology that brings even the most intricate details in these costumes to life.
Armchair General:
“Changing the Skies: Curtis LeMay and the Cold War transition of U.S. strategic airpower from planes to missiles”, Armchair General Magazine, November 2011.
“Ernie Harmon’s Battle of the Bulge: The feisty 2d U.S. Armored Division commander led “the cavalry to the rescue” at the height of the German Ardennes Offensive”, Armchair General Magazine, November 2012.
“Admiral Dewey and the Battle of Manila Bay, 1898: The Spanish American War began with a naval battle – and a Pacific empire at stake”, Armchair General Magazine, September 2013.
“Sinking An Ally, 1940”, Armchair General Magazine, May 2014.
Norwich Record
“NU to the Rescue: Irene relief efforts mirror those of 1927 Flood,” Norwich Record, Winter 2012
“Out of the Ashes: How An Irish Episcopal Priest Saved Norwich University,” Norwich Record, Spring 2012
Strategy Strikes Back: How Star Wars Explains Modern Conflict, edited by Max Brooks, John Amble, ML Cavanaugh, and Jaym Gates. (May 2018)
“The Battle of Hoth: A Critical Analysis”
Citizens & Soldiers: The First 200 Years of Norwich University by Alex Kershaw (2018)
“Hell On Wheels: The 2nd Armored Division in World War II”
Web
(Click site for specific bibliography)
Audio
Armor Party
The Functional Nerds:
Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy:
PoliSciFi Radio:
SF Signal Podcast (Nominated for the 2012 Hugo Award for Best Fancast):
SF Signal Podcast (Episode 113): Military Science Fiction, Part 1
SF Signal Podcast (Episode 115): Military Science Fiction, Part 2
SF Signal Podcast (Episode 123): Military Science Fiction, Part 3
The Skiffy and Fanty Show:
Vermont Public Radio
Game Theory: How Table-Top And Board Games Came Back Into Vogue
Brave Little State’s 3rd Annual Brief History Of Vermont Road Names
Viewpoints with Todd van der Heyden
Appeared in 2-3 episodes to chat about Marvel and Star Wars. Unfortunately, these episodes appear to be unavailable.
Live
Conferences / Talks:
2009 Fall Conference, Northeast Popular Culture Association: Byron Clark, YMCA Camp Abnaki and the Progressive Era.
2010 Spring Conference, New England Historical Association: The Military Roots of Manned Spaceflight.
2012 Spring Conference, New England Historical Association: Norwich University and the Battle of the Bulge.
2012 Fall Conference, New England Historical Association: Panel Chair, Books and Cultures
2013 New Genre Army Conference, University of Lincoln: War Fighting Generations and Interpretation in SF
2013 Colby Symposium, Norwich University: Norwich University & the European Campaign in WWII
2013 75 Years of Science Fiction: An Interdisciplinary Conference, University of Vermont: Setting Up the Golden Age of Science Fiction
2014 Tolkien in Vermont Conference: Bombadil and Other Middle-earth Mysteries, University of Vermont: Building Fantastic Worlds: How Tolkien Created the Modern Fantasy Genre
2015 Tolkien in Vermont Conference: Medieval Verse Narratives, University of Vermont: Modern Fantasy’s Roots in Medieval Verse
2016 Lunch and Learn — They Shall Not Pass, Sullivan Museum, Norwich University.
2017 Lunch and Learn — Art of Empire: World War II and Star Wars, Sullivan Museum, Norwich University.
2018 Army TRADOC Mad Scientist Learning in 2050 Conference, Georgetown University Center for Security Studies, Washington DC. Engaging the Future: The Art of Future Warfare.
Modern War Institute, Potential Disruptors of the ‘American Way of War’, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. November 4-6, 2018.
2019 Tolklien in Vermont Conference: Tolkien and Horror, University of Vermont, Burlington Vermont. April 6th, 2019.
Press
Interview with Andrew Liptak & Jaym Gates (interviewed by Mihir Wanchoo), Fantasy Book Critic
The War Stories Anthology Interview with the editors and publisher, The Little Red Reviewer
Jaym Gates and Andrew Liptak (Editors of WAR STORIES) on Military Science Fiction, SF Signal
New Military Science-Fiction Anthology Takes War Seriously, Seven Days
Andrew Liptak talks about VT Speculative Fiction writers series, NBC5
The Rise of Cons, Wall Street Journal
Rise of the fan: Culture embraces 'Star Wars,' and troopers embrace back, Burlington Free Press
Q&A On Sci-Fi Package, Better Worlds w/ The Verge’s Editor Andrew Liptak, File 770
First Look: Cosplay expert Andrew Liptak examines fandom fashion in Cosplay: A History, Syfy Wire
Tolkien Fandom Interview 0571, Marquette University
“A New Book Digs Into Cosplay's History—and the Fan Spirit That Keeps It Thriving”, io9
“Harwood grad publishes book on cosplay”, The Valley Reporter
“58 New Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Books for Your Summer Reading Pleasure,” io9
Newly Published, From Yan Lianke to Hurricane Maria, New York Times
“Settle into a summer vibe with one (or more) of these new Vermont books”, Burlington Free Press
“19 new books to read in the safety of an air-conditioned room” LitHub
“Vermont author, historian, and Stormtrooper writes a history of cosplay”, Rutland Herald
“A brief history of cosplay, explained in 5 historical conventions” Boing Boing
Reviews
“Review: War Stories by Jaym Gates & Andrew Liptak”, SFBook Reviews
“Book Review – War Stories edited by Andrew Liptak,” themself
“WAR STORIES: NEW MILITARY SCIENCE FICTION Edited By Jaym Gates & Andrew Liptak – Review,” Books, Bones & Buffy
“Microreview [book]: War Stories eds. Jaym Gates and Andrew Liptak”, Nerds of a Feather
“Review: War Stories: New Military Science Fiction, eds. Jaym Gates & Andrew Liptak”, Bookishly Witty
“Gates and Liptak, War Stories (2014)”, The Future Fire
“War Stories edited by Andrew Liptak and Jaym Gates”, Violin in a Void
“Marvel comics get a spiffy update. Still, I miss my old DC Comics”, Washington Post
“Review: Cosplay: A History” Lookingglass Reviews