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Lost Regiment #4
Fateful Lightning
The latest chapter in a unique, epic military science fiction series that sweeps from Civil War America to a time-warped world of horrifying conflict. The Civil War Yankees, lost in another world and time, find themselves part of a tactical retreat from the onslaught of the mysterious Merki hordes, reenacting the Russian retreats against the French and Germans.
464 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
37 people are currently reading
370 people want to read
About the author
William R. Forstchen
117 books1,712 followersWilliam R. Forstchen (born 1950) is an American author who began publishing in 1983 with the novel Ice Prophet. He is a Professor of History and Faculty Fellow at Montreat College, in Montreat, North Carolina. He received his doctorate from Purdue University with specializations in Military History, the American Civil War and the History of Technology.
Forstchen is the author of more than forty books, including the award winning We Look Like Men of War, a young adult novel about an African-American regiment that fought at the Battle of the Crater, which is based upon his doctoral dissertation, The 28th USCTs: Indiana’s African-Americans go to War, 1863-1865 and the "Lost Regiment" series which has been optioned by both Tom Cruise and M. Night Shyamalan.
Forstchen’s writing efforts have, in recent years, shifted towards historical fiction and non fiction. In 2002 he started the “Gettysburg” trilogy with Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich; the trilogy consists of Gettysburg: A Novel of the Civil War, Grant Comes East, and Never Call Retreat: Lee and Grant - The Final Victory. More recently, they have have published two works on the events leading up to Pearl Harbor and immediately after that attack Pearl Harbor, and Days of Infamy.
In March 2009, Forstchen’s latest work, One Second After, (Forge/St. Martin’s books) was released. Based upon several years of intensive research and interviews, it examines what might happen in a “typical” American town in the wake of an attack on the United States with “electro-magnetic pulse” (EMP) weapons. Similar in plotting to books such as On the Beach and Alas Babylon, One Second After, is set in a small college town in western North Carolina and is a cautionary tale of the collapse of social order in the wake of an EMP strike. The book has been optioned by Warner Bros. and currently is in development as a feature film. The book was cited on the floor of Congress and before the House Armed Services Committee by Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (R.-MD), chair of the House Committee tasked to evaluate EMP weapons, as a realistical portrayal of the potential damage rendered by an EMP attack on the continental United States.
Forstchen resides near Asheville, North Carolina with his daughter Meghan. His other interests include archaeology, and he has participated in several expeditions to Mongolia and Russia. He is a pilot and co owns an original 1943 Aeronca L-3B recon plane used in World War II.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/willia...
Forstchen is the author of more than forty books, including the award winning We Look Like Men of War, a young adult novel about an African-American regiment that fought at the Battle of the Crater, which is based upon his doctoral dissertation, The 28th USCTs: Indiana’s African-Americans go to War, 1863-1865 and the "Lost Regiment" series which has been optioned by both Tom Cruise and M. Night Shyamalan.
Forstchen’s writing efforts have, in recent years, shifted towards historical fiction and non fiction. In 2002 he started the “Gettysburg” trilogy with Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich; the trilogy consists of Gettysburg: A Novel of the Civil War, Grant Comes East, and Never Call Retreat: Lee and Grant - The Final Victory. More recently, they have have published two works on the events leading up to Pearl Harbor and immediately after that attack Pearl Harbor, and Days of Infamy.
In March 2009, Forstchen’s latest work, One Second After, (Forge/St. Martin’s books) was released. Based upon several years of intensive research and interviews, it examines what might happen in a “typical” American town in the wake of an attack on the United States with “electro-magnetic pulse” (EMP) weapons. Similar in plotting to books such as On the Beach and Alas Babylon, One Second After, is set in a small college town in western North Carolina and is a cautionary tale of the collapse of social order in the wake of an EMP strike. The book has been optioned by Warner Bros. and currently is in development as a feature film. The book was cited on the floor of Congress and before the House Armed Services Committee by Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (R.-MD), chair of the House Committee tasked to evaluate EMP weapons, as a realistical portrayal of the potential damage rendered by an EMP attack on the continental United States.
Forstchen resides near Asheville, North Carolina with his daughter Meghan. His other interests include archaeology, and he has participated in several expeditions to Mongolia and Russia. He is a pilot and co owns an original 1943 Aeronca L-3B recon plane used in World War II.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/willia...
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 30, 2020
After the events of last book, the humans are in a full scale, Russian style retreat, burning everything behind them. The Merki are undergoing 30 days of mourning, and then they'll be back.
A lot of soap opera between heroics.
A lot of soap opera between heroics.
July 16, 2020
This series is based on a fantastic premise and this is book 4, so far the best in the series. The author has painted absolutely brilliant battle scenes not just the depiction of the action but the thought & strategy that goes into planning a battle. The point of view in the story from the Lost regiment, the Merki, Rus, Roum, and Tugars is just marvelous!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2012
The lost Regiment series is a fabulous story set in the days of the American Civil War. It is basically the Civil War meets Planet of the Apes. It is one of those refreshing stories that no on has done before or since. The writing style is smooth and easy to understand, and the plot moves just right. A great series is one where the reader gets to grow with the characters and this one does just that.
November 26, 2012
This series has been dubbed Planet of the apes meets the Civil War, as each book progresses the series gets richer and better, lots and lots of action, great story further advances of the cultures and world building of this epic tale. Kind of sad that this series is difficult to find as it is a fine read and a real page turner. Hard to know how Forstchen can top this.
August 8, 2018
The best of the series so far. Huge battles, political intrigue, suspense, zeppelin dog-fights, and massive explosions. What else could you ask for?
October 22, 2017
A painting of Heroes
Mr. Gretchen paints a mural of battles. One between Armies, the other amongst the participants. Both of them, heroic. Anyone who likes historical novels will this series of books.
Mr. Gretchen paints a mural of battles. One between Armies, the other amongst the participants. Both of them, heroic. Anyone who likes historical novels will this series of books.
January 1, 2023
A good mid-point to the entire story.
July 9, 2025
The Battles were solid
October 1, 2025
A enjoyable page turner, full of action and characters.
July 28, 2010
The Lost Regiment series is probably my favorite SF series, as opposed to fantasy. Forstchen is great with the historical aspects of the series and knows how to tell a good story and introduce sympathetic and realistic characters. I like this series very much.
February 5, 2016
If you like the "displaced person in another world" stories then this is the series for you. Now we get an entire regiment of people on another earth. Fantastic story and awesome characters. Highly recommended
April 18, 2009
Not that bad!
September 22, 2010
My favorite lost regiment book so far, The battle of Hispania makes the siege of Suzdal look like a walk in the park!
October 12, 2010
They are getting better
September 21, 2011
Best of the series -- epic battles, in-depth Civil War tactics, and an incredible amount of backstabbing intrigue and political nastiness over on the Merki side!
June 3, 2013
This was my favorite in the series so far!
January 2, 2014
Sadly I never read the other books in the series. Still, I was able to get the gist of the prior story and thoroughly enjoyed it.
May 9, 2014
Great installment in the series, just keeps getting better. Looking forward to book Five.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews