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The Axis of Time Reloaded #2
World War 3.2
THE EPIC ALTERNATE HISTORY OF MILITARY FICTION RETURNS.
History didn’t just change. It exploded.The war that erupted with a Soviet orbital strike on Western Europe now rages across the globe. Alliances falter, empires fall, and dictators drive all before them. In the White House, President Kolhammer faces enemies abroad and a nemesis at home.
War rages in every domain—fought in the skies by stealth drones and supersonic jets, beneath the waves by hunter-killer subs and autonomous swarms, and across the blood-soaked fields of Western Germany, where modern mechanised divisions clash with old-world armies in a storm of steel and fire. No front is stable. No weapon is off-limits. And no one is safe.
Meanwhile, spies, mercenaries, and heroes thought long dead fight their battles in the shadows of Cairo, Marseille, and Mississippi.
Praise for the Axis of Time.
"Insanely clever alt-history mash-up of WWII and the twenty-first century war on terror isn't your typical time-travelling technothriller." - Wired magazine.
"Birmingham is exemplary. The descriptions of combat – both from an executive remove and a close – are terrifyingly gruesome and detailed… Birmingham succeeds in restaging World War II in a manner as gripping as, say, Herman Wouk's The Winds of War and War and Remembrance." – Sci-fi Weekly.
"Weapons-grade military techno-thriller... It's like a Clive Cussler novel fell into a transporter beam with a Stephen Ambrose history and they came out all fused together." - Time magazine.
"Birmingham's enthralling battleground mixes provocative historical fiction with socially, conscious futurism." Entertainment Weekly.
BUY NOW to enter a fractured timeline where the Cold War burns hot, the past bleeds forward—and the next world war already happened.
This gripping instalment of the Axis of Time series blends military realism, philosophical science fiction, and political suspense in a way few novels do.
It’s perfect for readers who crave alternate world books like Dark Matter, time travel fiction best sellers, and dark, suspenseful thrillers with just a touch of romance.
Whether you’re drawn to alternate Cold War scenarios, books that mess with your head, or just want to fall into a unique, engaging history fiction experience, World War 3.2 delivers. If you’re compiling your personal list of the best thrillers of all time, this one belongs next to the modern greats. Think dark fiction thriller meets global conflict, layered with timeline dissonance and emotional stakes.
History didn’t just change. It exploded.The war that erupted with a Soviet orbital strike on Western Europe now rages across the globe. Alliances falter, empires fall, and dictators drive all before them. In the White House, President Kolhammer faces enemies abroad and a nemesis at home.
War rages in every domain—fought in the skies by stealth drones and supersonic jets, beneath the waves by hunter-killer subs and autonomous swarms, and across the blood-soaked fields of Western Germany, where modern mechanised divisions clash with old-world armies in a storm of steel and fire. No front is stable. No weapon is off-limits. And no one is safe.
Meanwhile, spies, mercenaries, and heroes thought long dead fight their battles in the shadows of Cairo, Marseille, and Mississippi.
Praise for the Axis of Time.
"Insanely clever alt-history mash-up of WWII and the twenty-first century war on terror isn't your typical time-travelling technothriller." - Wired magazine.
"Birmingham is exemplary. The descriptions of combat – both from an executive remove and a close – are terrifyingly gruesome and detailed… Birmingham succeeds in restaging World War II in a manner as gripping as, say, Herman Wouk's The Winds of War and War and Remembrance." – Sci-fi Weekly.
"Weapons-grade military techno-thriller... It's like a Clive Cussler novel fell into a transporter beam with a Stephen Ambrose history and they came out all fused together." - Time magazine.
"Birmingham's enthralling battleground mixes provocative historical fiction with socially, conscious futurism." Entertainment Weekly.
BUY NOW to enter a fractured timeline where the Cold War burns hot, the past bleeds forward—and the next world war already happened.
This gripping instalment of the Axis of Time series blends military realism, philosophical science fiction, and political suspense in a way few novels do.
It’s perfect for readers who crave alternate world books like Dark Matter, time travel fiction best sellers, and dark, suspenseful thrillers with just a touch of romance.
Whether you’re drawn to alternate Cold War scenarios, books that mess with your head, or just want to fall into a unique, engaging history fiction experience, World War 3.2 delivers. If you’re compiling your personal list of the best thrillers of all time, this one belongs next to the modern greats. Think dark fiction thriller meets global conflict, layered with timeline dissonance and emotional stakes.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2025
144 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
John Birmingham
81 books1,172 followersJohn Birmingham grew up in Ipswich, Queensland and was educated at St Edmunds Christian Brother's College in Ipswich and the University of Queensland in Brisbane. His only stint of full time employment was as a researcher at the Defence Department. After this he returned to Queensland to study law but he did not complete his legal studies, choosing instead to pursue a career as a writer. He currently lives in Brisbane.
While a law student he was one of the last people arrested under the state's Anti Street March legislation. Birmingham was convicted of displaying a sheet of paper with the words 'Free Speech' written on it in very small type. The local newspaper carried a photograph of him being frogmarched off to a waiting police paddy wagon.
Birmingham has a degree in international relations.
While a law student he was one of the last people arrested under the state's Anti Street March legislation. Birmingham was convicted of displaying a sheet of paper with the words 'Free Speech' written on it in very small type. The local newspaper carried a photograph of him being frogmarched off to a waiting police paddy wagon.
Birmingham has a degree in international relations.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 14, 2025
I have been a long-time John Birmingham fan, beginning when I discovered Weapons of Choice, the first book in the original Axis of Time trilogy. I think I’ve read everything he’s written since, and liked it all.
His books are totally absorbing; the reader is drawn into an alternate universe that is so well crafted and internally consistent that it feels as it could actually be true (assuming you accept the one counter-factual premise). Only a few writers I can think of can pull this off without following another author’s formula: Tolkien (of course), James Clavell (Shogun, etc), Guy Gavriel Kay ( Tigana, etc.) S.M. Stirling (The Embervese Series; the Draka); Marko Kloos (Frontlines, etc.) and my all time favorite, the late, lamented Julian May (The Saga of Pliocene Exile). All of these writers make you care about their characters, and leave you wanting more of the story at the end.
So, John, when is World War 3.3 going to appear?
His books are totally absorbing; the reader is drawn into an alternate universe that is so well crafted and internally consistent that it feels as it could actually be true (assuming you accept the one counter-factual premise). Only a few writers I can think of can pull this off without following another author’s formula: Tolkien (of course), James Clavell (Shogun, etc), Guy Gavriel Kay ( Tigana, etc.) S.M. Stirling (The Embervese Series; the Draka); Marko Kloos (Frontlines, etc.) and my all time favorite, the late, lamented Julian May (The Saga of Pliocene Exile). All of these writers make you care about their characters, and leave you wanting more of the story at the end.
So, John, when is World War 3.3 going to appear?
September 12, 2025
Just for you JB, cos you’re my Favorite!
Back into the World of an alternate universe where it all went down oh so many years ago.
A reemergence of favorite characters and so much more, sitting here after reading this and thinking good splodey times to come! Sad that utter fucktard Stalin got off so lightly but looking forward to your imaginative dispatches of Skarov and Beria.
Back into the World of an alternate universe where it all went down oh so many years ago.
A reemergence of favorite characters and so much more, sitting here after reading this and thinking good splodey times to come! Sad that utter fucktard Stalin got off so lightly but looking forward to your imaginative dispatches of Skarov and Beria.
October 1, 2025
JB, you’ve done it again
Just finished this second. Magnificent. Just a spectacular, rollicking read. I love this universe so, so very much. Can’t recommend it enough. If you’re in any doubt, just read the bloody book. The whole series. Just do it. Now.
Keep up the great work JB. Gee whiz. Dan and Julia. I’m not crying, you’re crying <3
Just finished this second. Magnificent. Just a spectacular, rollicking read. I love this universe so, so very much. Can’t recommend it enough. If you’re in any doubt, just read the bloody book. The whole series. Just do it. Now.
Keep up the great work JB. Gee whiz. Dan and Julia. I’m not crying, you’re crying <3
January 23, 2026
great to be back in the timeline.
I wish it was a longer read. I’m so happy the series has another chapter and the news about more books is also exciting. A well rounded if somewhat slow paced part of the series. I was really hoping for more kick-ass action. But the character development was solid and necessary. Overall a very good read I can’t wait for the next installment.
I wish it was a longer read. I’m so happy the series has another chapter and the news about more books is also exciting. A well rounded if somewhat slow paced part of the series. I was really hoping for more kick-ass action. But the character development was solid and necessary. Overall a very good read I can’t wait for the next installment.
September 11, 2025
John Birmingham is at his best when writing about the Axis of Time, so it is great that he was able to return to that setting and those characters. Better yet, he recently stated his plans to have several more novels set in that world. Exciting times!
September 14, 2025
great read!
Great read! I like how the author is really going into detail about what could’ve been. Very surprised to see a character come back, but I do like Harry and Julia. Well written and well done!
Great read! I like how the author is really going into detail about what could’ve been. Very surprised to see a character come back, but I do like Harry and Julia. Well written and well done!
September 18, 2025
Really loving the rehabilitation of first-trilogy dirtbag detective "Buster" Cherry into a more lovable dirtbag detective.
September 24, 2025
excellent
Excellent read in one or two goes book. Read them all and will continue. I do like felafel two more words required!
Excellent read in one or two goes book. Read them all and will continue. I do like felafel two more words required!
October 1, 2025
Pretty. Decent Read
More complex than the first volume and the threads are beginning to mesh. Looking forward to the next installment in the series
More complex than the first volume and the threads are beginning to mesh. Looking forward to the next installment in the series
October 8, 2025
great read as usual
Thoroughly enjoyable series can’t wait for the book
Fingers crossed we font have to wait so long for the next instalment
Thoroughly enjoyable series can’t wait for the book
Fingers crossed we font have to wait so long for the next instalment
October 10, 2025
More action
Too much time is spent with Harry, Julia, and Can searching for the German scientist. I would rather read more action and Kolhammer.
Too much time is spent with Harry, Julia, and Can searching for the German scientist. I would rather read more action and Kolhammer.
October 19, 2025
the greatness continues
As always, the story is very developed and gripping. You can’t stop reading. Thanks for the Dan twist, I look forward to the next several episodes.
As always, the story is very developed and gripping. You can’t stop reading. Thanks for the Dan twist, I look forward to the next several episodes.
November 14, 2025
great story line.
Great story line . Provides food for thought of a future if what ifs. And how fragile time can be.
Great story line . Provides food for thought of a future if what ifs. And how fragile time can be.
January 18, 2026
Not Bad
Second one in this series I've read, enjoyed both both of them. Maybe not as good as say Harry Turtledove, but still a decent read.
Second one in this series I've read, enjoyed both both of them. Maybe not as good as say Harry Turtledove, but still a decent read.
September 15, 2025
short but intense. Very clever with the Aukus built subs saving the day back in 1954.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews