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American Empire #2
The Center Cannot Hold
AMERICAN EMPIRE: BOOK TWO
In this spectacular, thought-provoking epic of alternate history, Harry Turtledove has created an unparalleled vision of social upheaval, war, and cutthroat politics in a world very much like our own—but with dramatic differences.
It is 1924—a time of rebuilding, from the slow reconstruction of Washington’s most honored monuments to the reclamation of devastated cities in Europe and Canada. In the United States, the Socialist Party, led by Hosea Blackford, battles Calvin Coolidge to hold on to the Powell House in Philadelphia. And it seems as if the Socialists can do no wrong, for the stock market soars and America enjoys prosperity unknown in a half century. But as old names like Custer and Roosevelt fade into history, a new generation faces new uncertainties.
The Confederate States, victorious in the War of Secession and in the Second Mexican War but at last tasting defeat in the Great War, suffer poverty and natural calamity. The Freedom Party promises new strength and pride. But if its chief seizes the reins of power, he may prove a dangerous enemy for the hated U.S.A. Yet the United States take little note. Sharing world domination with Germany, they consider events in the Confederacy of little consequence.
As the 1920s end, calamity casts a pall across the continent. With civil war raging in Mexico, terrorist uprisings threatening U.S. control in Canada, and an explosion of violence in Utah, the United States are rocked by uncertainty.
In a world of occupiers and the occupied, of simmering hatreds, shattered lives, and pent-up violence, the center can no longer hold. And for a powerful nation, the ultimate shock will come when a fleet of foreign aircraft rain death and destruction upon one of the great cities of the United States. . . .
From the Hardcover edition.
In this spectacular, thought-provoking epic of alternate history, Harry Turtledove has created an unparalleled vision of social upheaval, war, and cutthroat politics in a world very much like our own—but with dramatic differences.
It is 1924—a time of rebuilding, from the slow reconstruction of Washington’s most honored monuments to the reclamation of devastated cities in Europe and Canada. In the United States, the Socialist Party, led by Hosea Blackford, battles Calvin Coolidge to hold on to the Powell House in Philadelphia. And it seems as if the Socialists can do no wrong, for the stock market soars and America enjoys prosperity unknown in a half century. But as old names like Custer and Roosevelt fade into history, a new generation faces new uncertainties.
The Confederate States, victorious in the War of Secession and in the Second Mexican War but at last tasting defeat in the Great War, suffer poverty and natural calamity. The Freedom Party promises new strength and pride. But if its chief seizes the reins of power, he may prove a dangerous enemy for the hated U.S.A. Yet the United States take little note. Sharing world domination with Germany, they consider events in the Confederacy of little consequence.
As the 1920s end, calamity casts a pall across the continent. With civil war raging in Mexico, terrorist uprisings threatening U.S. control in Canada, and an explosion of violence in Utah, the United States are rocked by uncertainty.
In a world of occupiers and the occupied, of simmering hatreds, shattered lives, and pent-up violence, the center can no longer hold. And for a powerful nation, the ultimate shock will come when a fleet of foreign aircraft rain death and destruction upon one of the great cities of the United States. . . .
From the Hardcover edition.
640 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2002
65 people are currently reading
935 people want to read
About the author
Harry Turtledove
564 books1,963 followersDr Harry Norman Turtledove is an American novelist, who has produced a sizeable number of works in several genres including alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy and science fiction.
Harry Turtledove attended UCLA, where he received a Ph.D. in Byzantine history in 1977.
Turtledove has been dubbed "The Master of Alternate History". Within this genre he is known both for creating original scenarios: such as survival of the Byzantine Empire; an alien invasion in the middle of the World War II; and for giving a fresh and original treatment to themes previously dealt with by other authors, such as the victory of the South in the American Civil War; and of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
His novels have been credited with bringing alternate history into the mainstream. His style of alternate history has a strong military theme.
Harry Turtledove attended UCLA, where he received a Ph.D. in Byzantine history in 1977.
Turtledove has been dubbed "The Master of Alternate History". Within this genre he is known both for creating original scenarios: such as survival of the Byzantine Empire; an alien invasion in the middle of the World War II; and for giving a fresh and original treatment to themes previously dealt with by other authors, such as the victory of the South in the American Civil War; and of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
His novels have been credited with bringing alternate history into the mainstream. His style of alternate history has a strong military theme.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 8, 2020
Firstly, I enjoyed this entry more than I did the one before ("Blood and Iron"). It felt like the story had more substance to it and advanced the plot along, whereas "Blood and Iron" seemed more like treading water.
We always knew Jake Featherston was going to win...and likewise, we all know Jake Featherston is a Hitler analog. But, what concerns me more is that the Freedom Party rallies resemble the modern-day Trump Rallies, and whilst Trump is no Featherston, the rabid racism, nationalism, and outright blind faith certainly fits.
We always knew Jake Featherston was going to win...and likewise, we all know Jake Featherston is a Hitler analog. But, what concerns me more is that the Freedom Party rallies resemble the modern-day Trump Rallies, and whilst Trump is no Featherston, the rabid racism, nationalism, and outright blind faith certainly fits.
April 16, 2019
One theme of this book is that you shouldn't elect bad people into positions of power. One example is that in the Confederate States of America they elected Jake Featherston into power who is a radical who wants to get revenege on the United States and the African Americans who rose up during World War 1.
July 14, 2010
More familiar historical figures showing up in different contexts and more of the world going to Hell in a hand basket as reactionaries take control of the Confederate government. Characters introduced as young children in novels from the previous series are now getting married and having children of their own. The breadth of these narratives is amazing.
January 20, 2021
I knew it was going to happen but it is worse actually reading the freedom party get in power.
May 19, 2021
Considering how much Turtledove publishes, the man must work without stop or sleep – and it shows in the writing. But, oh what great stories he has to tell!
This book is set in a universe were the South won the civil war (and the next one), but lost the Great War – a story told (sometimes ad nauseam) in 4 books so far. Ten years, 1924 till 1934, are covered: the recession and subsequent rise of a Nazi-style party in the South are the main topic.
In typical Turtledove-style a lot of characters tell their stories, add their perspective to a fascinating picture. Some of them are IMHO useless, some should be killed of (one is) … and on top of it all, the book could do better with 100 pages less. But I repeat: the style of writing and the details of this book may be bad or tiresome – the overall result is not.
Turtledove manages to give a very good impression of what life was like in a defeated, impoverished country with discredited elites. Show the conditions that made possible the rise of authoritarian regimes all over Europe in the 20s and 30s – in this book it is the South.
Now I wonder if it is just a coincidence, that the Hitler-like Jake Featherstone begins his radio addresses with the statement “I am going to tell you the truth”. Are the not some talk radio hosts who use similar phrases?
What makes this book more interesting than the last one from the series is that while it’s alternate universe remains close to the real one, it gets more history of it’s own: f.e. Japan and the USA already clash in 1932.
All things considered this is a great read for those already familiar with the series. For me a toss-up between three or four stars. And I’ll give Turtledove the benefit of doubt and also look forward to the next installment. But shorter, please!
This book is set in a universe were the South won the civil war (and the next one), but lost the Great War – a story told (sometimes ad nauseam) in 4 books so far. Ten years, 1924 till 1934, are covered: the recession and subsequent rise of a Nazi-style party in the South are the main topic.
In typical Turtledove-style a lot of characters tell their stories, add their perspective to a fascinating picture. Some of them are IMHO useless, some should be killed of (one is) … and on top of it all, the book could do better with 100 pages less. But I repeat: the style of writing and the details of this book may be bad or tiresome – the overall result is not.
Turtledove manages to give a very good impression of what life was like in a defeated, impoverished country with discredited elites. Show the conditions that made possible the rise of authoritarian regimes all over Europe in the 20s and 30s – in this book it is the South.
Now I wonder if it is just a coincidence, that the Hitler-like Jake Featherstone begins his radio addresses with the statement “I am going to tell you the truth”. Are the not some talk radio hosts who use similar phrases?
What makes this book more interesting than the last one from the series is that while it’s alternate universe remains close to the real one, it gets more history of it’s own: f.e. Japan and the USA already clash in 1932.
All things considered this is a great read for those already familiar with the series. For me a toss-up between three or four stars. And I’ll give Turtledove the benefit of doubt and also look forward to the next installment. But shorter, please!
May 31, 2014
Occasionally while perusing a book store, I'll see that a particular novel has multiple authors, which always had me wondering as to why. After reading a succession of Harry Turtledove novels, I am starting to understand the impetus.
Turtledove is outstanding when it comes to contemplating 'what-if' scenarios - hence his presence as one of the most popular alternate history writers. But he's downright inadequate in terms of writing dialogue, which prevents him from reaching the category of 'great' overall. He may want to contemplate getting somebody to assist him in that category. On the other hand, maybe he doesn't care...
"The Center Cannot Hold" looks primarily at the USA/Canada and The Confederate States/Mexico in the late 1920's/early 1930's, I believe covering more years than any other effort in The Southern Victory Series. The seeds for the WWII-like conflict between the two nations are sowed, and more attention is paid to Europe than any of his previous work.
Turtledove is outstanding when it comes to contemplating 'what-if' scenarios - hence his presence as one of the most popular alternate history writers. But he's downright inadequate in terms of writing dialogue, which prevents him from reaching the category of 'great' overall. He may want to contemplate getting somebody to assist him in that category. On the other hand, maybe he doesn't care...
"The Center Cannot Hold" looks primarily at the USA/Canada and The Confederate States/Mexico in the late 1920's/early 1930's, I believe covering more years than any other effort in The Southern Victory Series. The seeds for the WWII-like conflict between the two nations are sowed, and more attention is paid to Europe than any of his previous work.
June 21, 2011
I somehow missed Turtledove's birthday last week. A few signs you've read too much Turtledove: You're automatically suspicious of any political movement that crows too loudly about "freedom", you can envision Mormon suicide bombers, and you wonder how World War II would have turned out if alien lizards invaded Earth in the middle of it.
February 16, 2015
The continuation of the long and intricate alternate history track Harry Turtledove began with a "what if" change of events during the Civil War. For me, this series is addictive. The characters and events are intriguing and I want to know what happens next.
April 9, 2021
The Center Cannot Hold brought up a few historical themes that drove me to research a little more.
There is a line in the book that says a filibuster tied up old-age insurance. Below is what happened.
Social Security from ssa.gov
1923 Old-age assistance laws were passed in Pennsylvania and Nevada. They were later declared unconstitutional.
January 1, 1930 The California Old-age Pension Law, which was mandatory and Statewide in its application, became effective.
June 1, 1930 The Wyoming Old-age Pension Law became effective.
May 18, 1933 The first significant use of the term "Social Security" came about when the American Association for Old-age Security became the American Association for Social Security.January 17, 1935 The Committee on Economic Security's recommendations, embodied in the Economic Security Bill, were introduced in the 74th Congress. Recommendations included Federal old-age insurance, Federal-State public assistance and unemployment insurance programs, and extension of public health, maternal and child health, services for crippled children and child welfare services, and vocational rehabilitation but not health insurance. S.1130 was introduced in the Senate by Senator Robert F. Wagner; H.R. 4120 was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Robert L. Doughton; and H.R. 4142 was introduced by Representative David J. Lewis.
March 1, 1935 Congressman Frank Buck (Calif.) made the motion to change the name of the Economic Security Bill to the Social Security Bill. The motion was carried by a voice vote from the House Ways and Means Committee.
April 4, 1935 The Social Security Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives with a report. This bill (H.R. 7260) replaced the Economic Security Bill.
April 19, 1935 The Social Security Bill (H.R. 7260) was passed by the House of Representatives, 372 to 33 (25 not voting). Against were 13 Democrats, 18 Republicans and 2 Farm Labor.
May 13, 1935 The Social Security Bill (H.R. 7260) was reported out by the Senate Finance Committee with amendments, by a vote of 7 to 6. (Against, were 5 Republicans, 1 Democrat and there were 12 who did not vote.)
June 19, 1935 The Social Security Bill was passed in the Senate by a vote of 77 Yes, 6 No, and 12 Not Voting.
August 9, 1935 The Social Security Bill (H.R. 7260) was sent to the President after acceptance of the final conference report by the House and the Senate.
August 14, 1935 The Social Security Act (H.R. 7260, Public Law No. 271, 74th Congress) became law with the President's signature at approximately 3:30 p.m. on a Wednesday.
Filibuster (courtesy Brookings Institution)
1789 House and Senate rulebooks empower a simple majority to cut off debate.
1805 Aaron Burr suggests that they get rid of that rule so they do, which creates the possibility for a filibuster.
1837 First filibuster occurs, and few follow before the Civil War.
By the 1880s filibusters were more common and reform attempts were made.
1917 Adoption of Cloture--supermajority
I am pretty sure that Harry Turtledove mentions filibuster in "The Center Cannot Hold" because of Huey Long's June 12, 1935 filibuster.
There were more I researched, but I won't mention them here.
Sadly, I don't remember much about the characters except the hated Featherstone is President. I think I stopped reading the series because it reminded me too much of Trump. I'll pick it up later.
There is a line in the book that says a filibuster tied up old-age insurance. Below is what happened.
Social Security from ssa.gov
1923 Old-age assistance laws were passed in Pennsylvania and Nevada. They were later declared unconstitutional.
January 1, 1930 The California Old-age Pension Law, which was mandatory and Statewide in its application, became effective.
June 1, 1930 The Wyoming Old-age Pension Law became effective.
May 18, 1933 The first significant use of the term "Social Security" came about when the American Association for Old-age Security became the American Association for Social Security.January 17, 1935 The Committee on Economic Security's recommendations, embodied in the Economic Security Bill, were introduced in the 74th Congress. Recommendations included Federal old-age insurance, Federal-State public assistance and unemployment insurance programs, and extension of public health, maternal and child health, services for crippled children and child welfare services, and vocational rehabilitation but not health insurance. S.1130 was introduced in the Senate by Senator Robert F. Wagner; H.R. 4120 was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Robert L. Doughton; and H.R. 4142 was introduced by Representative David J. Lewis.
March 1, 1935 Congressman Frank Buck (Calif.) made the motion to change the name of the Economic Security Bill to the Social Security Bill. The motion was carried by a voice vote from the House Ways and Means Committee.
April 4, 1935 The Social Security Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives with a report. This bill (H.R. 7260) replaced the Economic Security Bill.
April 19, 1935 The Social Security Bill (H.R. 7260) was passed by the House of Representatives, 372 to 33 (25 not voting). Against were 13 Democrats, 18 Republicans and 2 Farm Labor.
May 13, 1935 The Social Security Bill (H.R. 7260) was reported out by the Senate Finance Committee with amendments, by a vote of 7 to 6. (Against, were 5 Republicans, 1 Democrat and there were 12 who did not vote.)
June 19, 1935 The Social Security Bill was passed in the Senate by a vote of 77 Yes, 6 No, and 12 Not Voting.
August 9, 1935 The Social Security Bill (H.R. 7260) was sent to the President after acceptance of the final conference report by the House and the Senate.
August 14, 1935 The Social Security Act (H.R. 7260, Public Law No. 271, 74th Congress) became law with the President's signature at approximately 3:30 p.m. on a Wednesday.
Filibuster (courtesy Brookings Institution)
1789 House and Senate rulebooks empower a simple majority to cut off debate.
1805 Aaron Burr suggests that they get rid of that rule so they do, which creates the possibility for a filibuster.
1837 First filibuster occurs, and few follow before the Civil War.
By the 1880s filibusters were more common and reform attempts were made.
1917 Adoption of Cloture--supermajority
I am pretty sure that Harry Turtledove mentions filibuster in "The Center Cannot Hold" because of Huey Long's June 12, 1935 filibuster.
There were more I researched, but I won't mention them here.
Sadly, I don't remember much about the characters except the hated Featherstone is President. I think I stopped reading the series because it reminded me too much of Trump. I'll pick it up later.
May 24, 2022
Set during the 1920s and 1930s, this novel follows events begun in the novel How Few Remain, through The Great War series, and in the previous novel in this series, American Empire: Blood & Iron.
What has been set up previously is the premise of the Confederacy winning the Civil War. They come to blows with the United States again twenty years following the end of that war, then again during the same time period as the First World War.
Following the defeat of the Confederacy and its allies (France and England) by the United States and Germany, this particular alternate history novel tracks various characters throughout the prosperity of the 1920s and into the stock-market crash, bank failures, and Great Depression.
TO read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
What has been set up previously is the premise of the Confederacy winning the Civil War. They come to blows with the United States again twenty years following the end of that war, then again during the same time period as the First World War.
Following the defeat of the Confederacy and its allies (France and England) by the United States and Germany, this particular alternate history novel tracks various characters throughout the prosperity of the 1920s and into the stock-market crash, bank failures, and Great Depression.
TO read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
July 2, 2017
After the reparation payment imposed by USA to CSA had stopped, things seemed to look better for CSA. The Whigs were set to rule like it used to, and Freedom Party looked like it headed to oblivion, since one of its members assasinated the President of CSA. However luck changed when there was Great Depression came, propelled Freedom Party to power. And thus, CSA looked forward to war, to avenge its humiliation on the last war by its northern neighbor. Overall, I tend not to be very excited to the series' books when it is all about the preparation towards war. I prefer when the war is actually started, for it gets my blood boils and hungry for more reading. Perhaps, in the next book there is really a next great war.
June 21, 2017
Yet another installment in a series that I am happy that a buddy of mine got me hooked on. I love all the different characters and the unfolding of similar yet different events in alternative history. The author must have one of the most active imaginations to bind so many different characters over such a long story. I look forward to the next one!
October 12, 2019
Another very good sequel in this series, but alas, somewhat predictable since (slight spoiler) the North American situation, with 3 countries (USA & CSA + Quebec) + occupied Canada resembles our Europe between the 2 big wars, with similar circumstances brewing. Still, I am eager to see how vol 3 develops.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2020
This story really builds. Characters who I often found not as interesting in past books became more interesting. There were moments of laughter and sadness. There were areas that it felt slow but the advancement of the plot and characters was really interesting in most of the book. And this book really sets up the next book.
January 12, 2018
Pretty good
It was a good book but definitely the second book of a trilogy feel to it. It’s interesting that the first carrier battle in this timeline happened almost a decade before in happened in ours
It was a good book but definitely the second book of a trilogy feel to it. It’s interesting that the first carrier battle in this timeline happened almost a decade before in happened in ours
April 8, 2025
There's not much in the action department in this book, but boy, did it still fly. Time accelerates as the years pass, hurtling towards this universe's great depression. An unpleasant parallel to the current state of affairs unfolds in the Confederacy, surprise surprise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2018
Pretty good.
January 21, 2019
A prophet is somebody who looks at things the way they are and leads them to their obvious conclusion. Me. Turtledove does that, in my opinion.
August 14, 2020
Best of the lot so far , the Great Depression hits America and the freedom party grows again.
Fascinating stuff
Fascinating stuff
June 30, 2021
Turtledove really shines when he is writing the broad time passing strokes of the developing lives of our characters.
July 12, 2021
Creepy
Weird how similar this book is to what we’re experiencing now. A fascist winning over the votes of southerners. Just wow.
Weird how similar this book is to what we’re experiencing now. A fascist winning over the votes of southerners. Just wow.
October 18, 2022
ehhh book
October 28, 2022
A very long filler novel ...to get to the crescendo of Featherston
October 19, 2023
This is the 6th book of an 11-book series. Very entertaining and packed with interesting twists on history from after the American Civil War until the end of World War II. I'm saving the four- and five-star rating for weightier material.
August 28, 2014
This is the sixth installment in Turtledove’s sweeping epic retelling of American history based on the Confederate States of America winning the Civil War and establishing their independence. Having posited a redux of that war a generation later, and re-imagined World War I with the USA and the CSA on opposite sides, he has now moved on to the decades between the two World Wars.
The USA, as one of the victors in the Great War, has become an empire, having annexed significant portions of the CSA and occupying Canada (except for Quebec, which has been established as an allied Republic). Meanwhile, the CSA continues to struggle under the punitive terms of the treaty that ended the war.
But when the economic boom of the 1920s gives way to economic collapse and the depression of the 1930s, the politics of both nations are thrown into turmoil. In the CSA, the Freedom Party, a fascist party that longs for revenge against both the USA and the blacks who rebelled during the Great War, finds increasing support among the people struggling to find work and feed their families. In the north, the failure of the Socialists to prevent the devastation of the depression undermines their support.
Turtledove continues to extrapolate his history from his original premise, but as he gets further away from it, the more “what ifs” he needs to contend with. This makes his alternative history feel increasingly fanciful. However, his large cast of characters help him explore the impact of events across a wide cross section of both countries, which makes his retelling compelling. It is also interesting to see how he incorporates actual historical figures into his alternate history alongside his fictional characters. His suggestion that some historical events (such as the market boom and crash, with the subsequent worldwide depression) would likely occur in spite of the changes he has envisioned also provides some meaty food for thought.
This series continues to fascinate me, and I look forward to continuing to explore his extrapolations.
The USA, as one of the victors in the Great War, has become an empire, having annexed significant portions of the CSA and occupying Canada (except for Quebec, which has been established as an allied Republic). Meanwhile, the CSA continues to struggle under the punitive terms of the treaty that ended the war.
But when the economic boom of the 1920s gives way to economic collapse and the depression of the 1930s, the politics of both nations are thrown into turmoil. In the CSA, the Freedom Party, a fascist party that longs for revenge against both the USA and the blacks who rebelled during the Great War, finds increasing support among the people struggling to find work and feed their families. In the north, the failure of the Socialists to prevent the devastation of the depression undermines their support.
Turtledove continues to extrapolate his history from his original premise, but as he gets further away from it, the more “what ifs” he needs to contend with. This makes his alternative history feel increasingly fanciful. However, his large cast of characters help him explore the impact of events across a wide cross section of both countries, which makes his retelling compelling. It is also interesting to see how he incorporates actual historical figures into his alternate history alongside his fictional characters. His suggestion that some historical events (such as the market boom and crash, with the subsequent worldwide depression) would likely occur in spite of the changes he has envisioned also provides some meaty food for thought.
This series continues to fascinate me, and I look forward to continuing to explore his extrapolations.
Read
September 8, 2010I've read several HT books, including several in this series. While the narrative is good and overall enjoyable reading, I found several aspects to be unrealistic, no matter that it's "alternate history". The first is the tiny part Britain plays, even being defeated in Northern Ireland by the Irish (with help from the Yanks of course). No mention of the naval battles against Germany which, but for some bad luck (and some glitches in British ship design) could have led to the routing of the German High Seas Fleet. The easy defeat of the British in the Sandwich Islands involved too much "suspension of belief" for me, along with the rise of Fascism in UK and elsewhere in Europe. The near-total subjugation of the Negroes in the South (and not far behind in the North) seemed to demean that group completely. The comparison with the Jews was obvious, yet the Negroes were in far greater numbers proportionally than the unfortunate Jews of post WWI Europe (although disadvantaged by poor education) and their largely futile efforts at times beggared belief.
The rise of a military dictatorship in the South after defeat by the North (itself unlikely given that the North was fighting on two land fronts plus two sea "fronts") was an interesting parallel with post WWI Germany, a bit too parallel for this reader!
I think I'll leave Harry's works alone for a while...
The rise of a military dictatorship in the South after defeat by the North (itself unlikely given that the North was fighting on two land fronts plus two sea "fronts") was an interesting parallel with post WWI Germany, a bit too parallel for this reader!
I think I'll leave Harry's works alone for a while...
July 24, 2009
In part two of the American Empire trilogy, Harry Turtledove continues his story of the fall of the Weimar Republic and the rise of fascism in the Confederate States of America.
The story's interesting enough, and I tend to agree with the view of history theory that Turtledove puts forward (that history is mostly the result of economics and cultural progress, rather than the actions of select individuals). I'm not a terribly big fan of Turtledove's writing style, though; he writes like he's writing a history textbook, moving workmanlike throughout the decades without taking the time to really developing the characters too much. There's too many characters throughout the series, and as a result we don't get to attach ourselves to them enough to really care about what happens to any of them.
I'm intrigued to see how far Turtledove takes the series in the final part of the trilogy; he's already had the Freedom Party, the CSA's version of the Nazis, get elected - the next logical step will be for outright war to cross the American continent again, but the unknown is how much he'll have the Freedom party adopt the terrible social policies of the Nazis as well.
The story's interesting enough, and I tend to agree with the view of history theory that Turtledove puts forward (that history is mostly the result of economics and cultural progress, rather than the actions of select individuals). I'm not a terribly big fan of Turtledove's writing style, though; he writes like he's writing a history textbook, moving workmanlike throughout the decades without taking the time to really developing the characters too much. There's too many characters throughout the series, and as a result we don't get to attach ourselves to them enough to really care about what happens to any of them.
I'm intrigued to see how far Turtledove takes the series in the final part of the trilogy; he's already had the Freedom Party, the CSA's version of the Nazis, get elected - the next logical step will be for outright war to cross the American continent again, but the unknown is how much he'll have the Freedom party adopt the terrible social policies of the Nazis as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2015
This is the middle volume of the American Empire trilogy, volume six of the story arc in which the South's victory in the Civil War makes the North American continent a place of hatred and bloodshed. At this point, the whole story has run out of steam, somewhat. This part of the tale runs from the early 1920s until 1932. Things happen, but life during the boom of the Roaring 20's and the depressed 30s isn't quite as dramatic as it was during wartime. The characterization is still good, and I'll undoubtedly read onward. It's just not as good as its predecessors.
On my second read through, 7 years later, it's lost its magic for me. I realized that this series really does spend way too much time updating backstories. I wonder if Mr. Turtledove expects people to pick up these books without having read the predecessors. Anyway, it makes for a great book to read at the bus stop or in a waiting room.
On my second read through, 7 years later, it's lost its magic for me. I realized that this series really does spend way too much time updating backstories. I wonder if Mr. Turtledove expects people to pick up these books without having read the predecessors. Anyway, it makes for a great book to read at the bus stop or in a waiting room.
March 1, 2010
This was an alternative history book set mostly in the early 1900s in what we know as the US and Canada but in this book things are quite different. It was a fairly good read even though I didn't read its predecessors. I am going to defer to the description found a the web site listed here for a much better description.
http://www.scifidimensionscom/Nov02/c...
ISBN - 0-345-44421-3, Alternative History, Pages - 547, Print Size - R, Rating - 4
All books reviewed are from the library or purchased by the reviewer.
http://www.scifidimensionscom/Nov02/c...
ISBN - 0-345-44421-3, Alternative History, Pages - 547, Print Size - R, Rating - 4
All books reviewed are from the library or purchased by the reviewer.
December 1, 2011
Like most of the books in this series the ones in the middle of story arcs tend to be slow. But unlike the other middle books the last half of this book really picks up steam. Now I'm not complaining about the slow pace. That slow, detailed pace is why I adore these books. But when things keep you on the edge of your seat like the rise to power of Jake Featherston in the end of this book it's really hard to stop reading (or listening in this case). This book has such a good ending in fact that it felt more like the end to a full story arc than just a middle book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews