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Stars & Stripes #3
Stars and Stripes Triumphant
In England, Irish-born citizens are being herded into prison camps. On the high seas, a furious British Navy is seizing American cargo ships bound for Europe. And on the Thames, a new weapon of unparalleled destructive force is sailing toward an impregnable city–spearheaded by a daring act of espionage. For U.S. president Abraham Lincoln, Britain’s Queen Victoria, Lord Palmerston, and a loyal opposition, a day of reckoning is at hand . . . and so is history’s most astounding battle.
Harry Harrison’s series of alternate history, based on the U.S. Civil War, stands as a provocative work of imagination, drama, and brilliant historical insight. Now in the thrilling finale, Harrison tells a stunning, action-packed story of America’s rapidly growing military might being locked, loaded, and aimed at the heart of England itself.
For the two countries that share a language and a heritage, the conflict began at the dawn of the U.S. Civil War. Just as America was about to tear itself to pieces, Britain itself committed an act of war by seizing a U.S. packet ship. In retaliation, the Confederate States rejoined the Union and took up arms against England. Repulsing a British invasion, and defeating her majesty’s army first in Canada, then in Mexico, then in Ireland, American pride and power swelled. Britain, like a wounded lion, howled in shame and anger. Now, Queen Victoria’s empire is more dangerous than ever before, turning against the Irish on her own soil, flexing her naval might, and all but forcing a weary President Lincoln to authorize the next step in a headlong journey toward war.
A tale of daring and strategy, Stars and Stripes Triumphant explores how arrogance turns superpowers into victims, how regional conflicts can explode into world wars, and how the personalities of a few men and women can change the course of history itself–for better or for worse.
From the Hardcover edition.
Harry Harrison’s series of alternate history, based on the U.S. Civil War, stands as a provocative work of imagination, drama, and brilliant historical insight. Now in the thrilling finale, Harrison tells a stunning, action-packed story of America’s rapidly growing military might being locked, loaded, and aimed at the heart of England itself.
For the two countries that share a language and a heritage, the conflict began at the dawn of the U.S. Civil War. Just as America was about to tear itself to pieces, Britain itself committed an act of war by seizing a U.S. packet ship. In retaliation, the Confederate States rejoined the Union and took up arms against England. Repulsing a British invasion, and defeating her majesty’s army first in Canada, then in Mexico, then in Ireland, American pride and power swelled. Britain, like a wounded lion, howled in shame and anger. Now, Queen Victoria’s empire is more dangerous than ever before, turning against the Irish on her own soil, flexing her naval might, and all but forcing a weary President Lincoln to authorize the next step in a headlong journey toward war.
A tale of daring and strategy, Stars and Stripes Triumphant explores how arrogance turns superpowers into victims, how regional conflicts can explode into world wars, and how the personalities of a few men and women can change the course of history itself–for better or for worse.
From the Hardcover edition.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
24 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Harry Harrison
1,199 books1,033 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Harry Harrison (born Henry Maxwell Dempsey) was an American science fiction author best known for his character the The Stainless Steel Rat and the novel Make Room! Make Room! (1966), the basis for the film Soylent Green (1973). He was also (with Brian W. Aldiss) co-president of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
Harry Harrison (born Henry Maxwell Dempsey) was an American science fiction author best known for his character the The Stainless Steel Rat and the novel Make Room! Make Room! (1966), the basis for the film Soylent Green (1973). He was also (with Brian W. Aldiss) co-president of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 26, 2010
This series started off entertainingly enough and it was at least a somewhat believable premise as long as you didn't care too much about the actual history but by the third book this has become practically a sci-fi series and goes way off the deep end
April 26, 2016
The series started well, but then it slid off a cliff.
July 30, 2020
The liberation of Scotland? The abolishment of the British nobility? The end of the British monarchy? And a victorious General Sherman staring out across the English Channel in an almost Crusader-esque way possibly foreshadowing an American-inspired wave of democratic revolutions sweeping across the European continent? I mean, what's not to like, right?
Well, there's still the characterization of nearly every English character as insufferably stupid, evil, intransigent, etc., with the possible exception of Benjamin Disraeli. Whilst the Americans, Irish, and Scots can do no wrong.
Even with that, it is a satisfying conclusion to the series...as long as you are a jingoistic American who believes that your country can do no wrong. I'm not one of those people, as almost anyone can attest, but I was also entertained...curiously enough. I think it had more to do with the idea of a liberated Ireland and Scotland. It would be very interesting to see a treatment of this speculative universe going forward.
Does the British Empire continue to collapse in the face of a newly democratic England? What happens in mainland Europe in the upcoming centuries without the British Empire? The Franco-Prussian War? Not to mention World War One? Can England and the USA reconcile their differences to oppose an emergent Germany (if that were still a thing), or will there still be massive antagonistic feelings between the two and England joins whomever the USA opposes?
How does an England far more friendly towards the working classes handle the rise of communism and fascism?
But I digress. If you enjoy speculative fiction, I'd definitely recommend it to you...as long as you're American, that is. :)
Well, there's still the characterization of nearly every English character as insufferably stupid, evil, intransigent, etc., with the possible exception of Benjamin Disraeli. Whilst the Americans, Irish, and Scots can do no wrong.
Even with that, it is a satisfying conclusion to the series...as long as you are a jingoistic American who believes that your country can do no wrong. I'm not one of those people, as almost anyone can attest, but I was also entertained...curiously enough. I think it had more to do with the idea of a liberated Ireland and Scotland. It would be very interesting to see a treatment of this speculative universe going forward.
Does the British Empire continue to collapse in the face of a newly democratic England? What happens in mainland Europe in the upcoming centuries without the British Empire? The Franco-Prussian War? Not to mention World War One? Can England and the USA reconcile their differences to oppose an emergent Germany (if that were still a thing), or will there still be massive antagonistic feelings between the two and England joins whomever the USA opposes?
How does an England far more friendly towards the working classes handle the rise of communism and fascism?
But I digress. If you enjoy speculative fiction, I'd definitely recommend it to you...as long as you're American, that is. :)
July 20, 2025
Absolutely thrilling! A fitting end to this alternative history trilogy!
I like alternative history. An author chooses an event in history and imagines what might have been.
Harrison is a master of this genre. He reimagines the American Civil War and involves England, Ireland and Scotland. Since I’ve named those three countries separately, that should tell you that something happens to Great Britain. (In a BIG way!)
This book is thoroughly enjoyable, but be certain to read the first two books before you tackle this one.
I like alternative history. An author chooses an event in history and imagines what might have been.
Harrison is a master of this genre. He reimagines the American Civil War and involves England, Ireland and Scotland. Since I’ve named those three countries separately, that should tell you that something happens to Great Britain. (In a BIG way!)
This book is thoroughly enjoyable, but be certain to read the first two books before you tackle this one.
January 18, 2018
This is the final book of the Stars and Stripes trilogy and I would recommend it. I'd call this series my 3rd favorite of Harrison's alternative history series. Hammer and Cross is my favorite, West of Eden is my 2nd favorite, and this is my 3rd. Considering how good Harrison is, coming in 3rd place is a compliment.
May 17, 2024
An interesting historical fiction trilogy based off a single premise, that Prince Albert who let cooler heads prevail earlier in the war, died
Harry Harrison weaved an interesting tale but forgot one thing…no plan survives first contact with the enemy…except this fictional representation of my distant cousin WTSherman whose every plan works out
Harry Harrison weaved an interesting tale but forgot one thing…no plan survives first contact with the enemy…except this fictional representation of my distant cousin WTSherman whose every plan works out
January 22, 2020
Harry Harrison finished up his alternate history trilogy in fine fashion! This was a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read that wrapped everything up nicely. The entire trilogy was one of the best alt history series I have read. I highly recommend it!
April 4, 2020
The end of this series is a bit anti-climactic. The author abandoned a couple of story lines mid-series, leaving the reader to wonder what happened. It was like he got tired of the series, or was about to miss his payday deadline, and rushed to bring it to a close.
May 14, 2017
Good Fun...enjoyed the series...
February 24, 2019
In this final book in the Stars & Stripes trilogy, Harry Harrison gives away a huge spoiler in the book's title. Yep, the USA wins its final showdown with Great Britain. But don't worry. If you've read the first two books, would you really have expected it to come out any other way? It's still fun. Not a great book, but entertaining. It is still fun to see Robert E Lee, Ulysses Grant, and Sherman fighting on the same side. The other generals don't make an appearance as they have in prior installments in the series but that's okay. We still get to see some of the unsung heroes behind the scenes - engineers and designers who advance technology more quickly than in the actual timeline due to the pressures of war.
February 17, 2011
This is the third and final entry in Harry Harrison's alternate history trilogy set during the 1860's. The first book, of course, set up the notion of the American Civil War being interrupted by a British attack on New Orleans, leading to the Americans re-uniting against a new common foe. Having successfully defended itself, the US follows up in the second book by diverting another British attack through Mexico, aimed at the American's soft underbelly by assisting the Irish to gain their independence. With a threat so close to her own homeland, the British have to pull back their resources from Mexico to defend its own shores. Now comes the third book.
This time around it very much seemed as if the author had a bone to pick with the British. He writes his British characters with, at best, unenlightened military minds, and at worst, as absolute buffoons. The Americans can do no wrong, militarily or politically. They use advancements in technology to great advantage and every battle in the entire book goes exactly as planned, leaving the British generals, admirals, and political leaders, (and especially Queen Victoria), to blunder about, dithering about how dare the British Empire be subjected to this. General Sherman takes center stage in this third book, leaving Abraham Lincoln to be just a kindly old uncle figure. Generals Grant and Lee and Admiral Farragut all participate in the invasion of England but they remain mostly offstage. Invasion of England? That's right. In response to the British Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston's inexplicable decision to plunder American cargo ships, Lincoln decides to put an end to this once and for all. I won't provide spoilers but let's just say that I can't imagine any British citizen today reading this and enjoying it. General Sherman's battle strategy is well laid out and makes lots of sense but it does rely on his enemies to do everything exactly as he suspects...which they do, of course. There is never any real doubt as to how it will all end, especially given the title of the book.
Having said all that, the book is an easy read...
This time around it very much seemed as if the author had a bone to pick with the British. He writes his British characters with, at best, unenlightened military minds, and at worst, as absolute buffoons. The Americans can do no wrong, militarily or politically. They use advancements in technology to great advantage and every battle in the entire book goes exactly as planned, leaving the British generals, admirals, and political leaders, (and especially Queen Victoria), to blunder about, dithering about how dare the British Empire be subjected to this. General Sherman takes center stage in this third book, leaving Abraham Lincoln to be just a kindly old uncle figure. Generals Grant and Lee and Admiral Farragut all participate in the invasion of England but they remain mostly offstage. Invasion of England? That's right. In response to the British Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston's inexplicable decision to plunder American cargo ships, Lincoln decides to put an end to this once and for all. I won't provide spoilers but let's just say that I can't imagine any British citizen today reading this and enjoying it. General Sherman's battle strategy is well laid out and makes lots of sense but it does rely on his enemies to do everything exactly as he suspects...which they do, of course. There is never any real doubt as to how it will all end, especially given the title of the book.
Having said all that, the book is an easy read...
May 23, 2013
The Queen and Prime Minister are ticked. First, their plan to separate the North from the South failed and they lost Canada. Then, their plans for revenge by attacking through French controlled Mexico fail and they loose Ireland in the process. But they have plans to save face and defeat the upstart Americans once and for all.
It's up to Abe Lincoln, General Sherman and a supporting cast of Americans, Irish, Russians and others to stop the English once and for all.
The books in question, and this one in particular were quite entertaining but I didn't find them quite plausible by the end. The US attacking Great Britain!?! And how is Palmerston still Prime Minister after horrific defeats in the Civil War and the incident in Mexico? Churchill couldn't remain in power and he WON WWII! I understand the arrogance of the English but that was reaching a bit too far.
The 'final solution' didn't seem plausible to me either. Given the situation as written, many of the colonies would have gone into open revolt. I doubt we'd see much help coming from India. And I don't think the US would remove the queen. Scotland leaving? Maybe. There were plenty that weren't fond of the Act of Union but there were as many, if not more who would have supported the Queen at that time.
The characters were good. The story telling was just fine but I just kept asking myself if it was plausible.
It's up to Abe Lincoln, General Sherman and a supporting cast of Americans, Irish, Russians and others to stop the English once and for all.
The books in question, and this one in particular were quite entertaining but I didn't find them quite plausible by the end. The US attacking Great Britain!?! And how is Palmerston still Prime Minister after horrific defeats in the Civil War and the incident in Mexico? Churchill couldn't remain in power and he WON WWII! I understand the arrogance of the English but that was reaching a bit too far.
The 'final solution' didn't seem plausible to me either. Given the situation as written, many of the colonies would have gone into open revolt. I doubt we'd see much help coming from India. And I don't think the US would remove the queen. Scotland leaving? Maybe. There were plenty that weren't fond of the Act of Union but there were as many, if not more who would have supported the Queen at that time.
The characters were good. The story telling was just fine but I just kept asking myself if it was plausible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2008
A satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, but it was a bit disappointing that the divisive issues of the North and South were not addressed at all in this book. There was at least some token acknowledgment of the issues in the second book.
The American campaign in this book also seemed to go a bit too smoothly, but I guess the title does use the word "Triumphant". It was strange, though, by the end, after Sherman overthrows the queen and the House of Lords and basically forces democracy on the English, I couldn't help but feel like the Americans had become the British in a way. Or at least, become what the US has become today, only a century sooner.
The American campaign in this book also seemed to go a bit too smoothly, but I guess the title does use the word "Triumphant". It was strange, though, by the end, after Sherman overthrows the queen and the House of Lords and basically forces democracy on the English, I couldn't help but feel like the Americans had become the British in a way. Or at least, become what the US has become today, only a century sooner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2009
What if the Civil War had tuned out differently? Anyone who like historical fiction will love this book. Instead of a long drawn out war between the states they come together to fight a common enemy. Oh how that may have changed the world.
August 16, 2012
I seemed to wait a long time for the third and final part of the trilogy to be published. Whilst not disappointed with the story, was disaapointed with the bias shown against the Englishrilogy. in the t
April 24, 2008
great book
July 30, 2011
A satisfying conclusion to the alternate U.S.-British conflict.
November 20, 2015
Interesting series, but demonizes the British WAY too much.
October 30, 2016
Just Ok finish to the series - seemed like the author just wanted to wrap it up. Nothing special.
January 14, 2013
Author was absolutely lazy with this book. Too lazy even for my taste.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews