Rating:  Summary: Entertaining read but I it needs more Review: First of all after having read both How Few Remain and The American Front I can say this will be an excellent AH series from Mr. Turtledove. I am glad to see that he shows the Dixie the way it probably would have developed (however if the slave uprising is successful it may get quickly unbelievable, i.e. more whites than blacks, Americans, including southern ones, hostility to Marxism etc. that would seriously undermine that possibility). I agree with other reviewers that a cast of characters and a full world campaign map (similar to the one that he has at the beginning of Colonization) would help us better understand the war. I also hope some serious historical figures of the era are allowed to become serious characters in future books of the series. Moreover, I would also like to see some campaigns over in Europe to see how this alternate Great War is developing there. Finally, Being a southerner I rootin' for Dixie over those damn yankees (especially the god awful socialists and that includes the darkey ones too).
Rating:  Summary: Good Read, lacking some backround and thinking Review: This book is mostly good execept Russian presence is lacking,(It was a major player early on)and the lack of information on Austria-Hungray,the Ottoman Empire,Italy(the other members of the German Alliance system), and Spain(Spainish-American war ends Spanish empire). Also I feel it is a poor choice to give Haiwii to the British empire(Why? CSA in Bahja no major trade options cotton no longer an interest, too many USA ships) and not talk about Alaska.
Rating:  Summary: Probably one of the best books in alternate history Review: This was seriously one of the best books I had ever read in the alternate history category. The best part about it is that Turtledove made it really believable. Far better in writing and believability than "Guns of the South". I strongly recommend this book to all students of history, as well as all who really like a good page turner.
Rating:  Summary: Too Many Mistakes Review: Alternative history is enjoyable becuase many parts of itinvolve situations that may of happen but didn't. Harry Turtledove's "How Few Reamin" demonstrates this very well. However, his "Great War" seems to lack several key facts that would have made the story more realistic. 1) The econonmic status of the USA is not demonstrated properly. The econonmy was strong enough to maintain a military larger than any nation's at the time (including England and France). Where as the CSA's econonmy would not have been strong enough to protect all it's frontiers with a military force. 2)England would have been out of the war in the first 6 months. With the combined German and American navy's patrolling the Atlantic, England would've starved to death pretty quickly. 3)Trench warfare would not have occurred on a large scale within the America's. Trench warfare is the child of large armies stuck along small fronts. America is huge, mobility would have dictated a more mobile and fast moving strategy. 4)If tactitions had any brains at all, they would have used the USA's larger navy to secure the Mississippi, Marines to occupy the cities along it, and cavalry (yes cavalry) with armored cars with light infantry moving into Georgia (like Sheridan) and burning Atlanta. This would've split the CSA in half, cutting the western part of the CSA off from it's industrial base while starving off the eastern, which would've forced a faster USA victory. 5)Canada is not large enough to stop a US invasion of any significant size for long (2 months max). This is my wish list of what should've been in this book. It can be a fun book, but not the best book.
Rating:  Summary: Great book of the Great War Review: The book was a great reading. I especially liked the canadian soldier who showed up at the McGregors house to blow the hell out of the yankee railroad tracks! I was so happy when the train drailed that I cried my eyes out. just kiddin. americans rule. i hope they soc it to the CSA and canada. canada in my opinion would not be allied with the confederates just cuz they suk so much.canada would suck hole to the states and both countries would overcome the whole world.Only thing i didnt like about the book was the lack of campaign maps. during pushes and such i would have to break out the good old atlas just to see where the hell anyone was. o well maybe next book will compensate for this short comming
Rating:  Summary: GREAT BOOK, I couldn't put it down! Review: Great alternate history book. I loved most of the book. There where some dry spots though. The ending kind of stinks. It leaves you hanging... I can not wait for the book. Will the US and Germany win? Will the blacks be sucessful with their up rising?
Rating:  Summary: A little slow compared to his other books Review: This book lacks the clear focus and plot development of HOW FEW REMAIN and THE GUNS OF THE SOUTH, but is still an interesting and unique read. There are far too many characters and plotlines to easily keep track of. A glossary of characters would have been invaluable. There are not as many historical characters as in his other books, and this is a bit of a disappointment. I think for the interests of drama, he exagerates the strength that the Confederacy would have possessed, a flaw also in the earlier book. I personally think that the Confederacy, if it had one the Civil War, would have rapidly descended into a South American style military dicatorship, instead of the functioning democracy he envisions. Still, this is a good book by a masterful storyteller, and I'll be first in line to buy the next volume.
Rating:  Summary: excellent book! I can't wait for the second installment! Review: Harry takes us on yet again, a rollercoaster ride of emotions, and endears us to his characters, no matter which side they are on. from the perspective of the european theatre, he shows in exacting detail, just what could have happpened in this country, had our alliances been different. I highly recommend mr. turtledove's book, and can only patiently await his next installment!
Rating:  Summary: Turtledove knows characters and history - but not strategy Review: First off, I'd like to say I did enjoy the book. The plotlines were intruiging, and many of the events made sense, given the timeline presented. Also, most of the charcaters were well rounded and believable. However, I have to say I liked How Few Remain better. Why? First of all, the events in the war from that book were more thought out. The effects of new weapons and tactics made good sense, and the characters were very believable. Unfortunately, in The Great War, Turtledove shows his lack of knowledge in the strategic elements of WWI. Here's some of what he missed: The CSA and its Allies would have been defeated in a matter of months. The USA could field an army - and supply it - larger than all of their opponents combined (excluding Russia). Engalnd would have been starved out of the war in the first month, due to a large Americain and German navy. Russia, with its ailing economy and social tensoins, would have been able to provide little - if any - assisstance to France, and Germany and France would reach a stalemate of trench warfare. On the Americain continent, both the CSA and Canada would have been overrun in short order - the vast distances would have eliminated trench warfare (except in a few cases near large cities that could not be bypassed) - and the technologically superior USA would have used its greater mobility for good effect. They would have blockaded both the coast and the Mississippi, and rushed across the South, destroying its infrastructure. Lacking manpower, the CSA would have been unable to break the blockade. Canada, with Britain out of the war, and little fortification, would have taken all of two-and-a-half months to conquer. With its enemies on the continent demolished, the USA could then send troups to Germany, breaking a stalemate there. The result: total victory for Germany and the USA in perhaps two or two and a half years. This book does have its jems, though. The battle between cavalrymen and an armored car was well described, and made military sense. Despite the lack of strategic credibility, its a good read and most Turtledove fans will enjoy it.
Rating:  Summary: Great book Review: Harry Turtledove continues to entertain with his alternate history sagas. I have been reading his books for several years and enjoy them immensely. Again I recommend - read the books in order - it helps make sense of the story. I look forward to the next book in this series.
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