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Lost Regiment #3
Terrible Swift Sword
A startling series that merges history with intrepid military science fiction in a fresh and energetic package, this latest edition proves that Forstchen's talent and possibilities are limitless. "Some of the best adventure writing in years!"--Science Fiction Chronicle.
464 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 4, 1992
67 people are currently reading
396 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 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 17, 2020
At first I really hated this book. This is the third book in the series, and the focus shifts from battles and adventure to intrigue and treachery. The Union Army heroes from our world are still fighting the cannibal hordes on this strange world, but all hopes are pinned to a traitor named Yuri, a former slave to the Merki horde who has almost ceased to be human. Yuri has eaten human flesh and sacrificed his human family so the towering, ape-like Merki warriors would take him as a "pet." But now he's on the side of Union general Andrew Keene, and he's offering to help bring down Jubadi, the great chief of the Merki horde.
I reread this book because I was trapped at home for weeks during the Corona Virus pandemic. I liked it a lot better the second time around. If you read it expecting a movie like GETTYSBURG, it really stinks. But if you understand it as being more like THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, it's a lot better. Yuri is a lot like Raymond Shaw, and General Keane is in the Frank Sinatra role as the tough army man who watches this poor wretch disintegrate while racing against time to stop a far worse conspiracy from unfolding!
"Yuri, why don't you pass the time by playing a little solotair?"
So if you read this like it's The Day of The Jackal it's okay. But the combat is not so good. The worst thing about this book by far was the stuff about "those magnificent men in their flying machines."
I reread this book because I was trapped at home for weeks during the Corona Virus pandemic. I liked it a lot better the second time around. If you read it expecting a movie like GETTYSBURG, it really stinks. But if you understand it as being more like THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, it's a lot better. Yuri is a lot like Raymond Shaw, and General Keane is in the Frank Sinatra role as the tough army man who watches this poor wretch disintegrate while racing against time to stop a far worse conspiracy from unfolding!
"Yuri, why don't you pass the time by playing a little solotair?"
So if you read this like it's The Day of The Jackal it's okay. But the combat is not so good. The worst thing about this book by far was the stuff about "those magnificent men in their flying machines."
May 23, 2024
For the most part, this is 4 stars. But the scene where Hans dies elevates it to 5.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2009
Great addition to the series, the "Empire Strikes Back" entry. The tension builds to such a level that I had to put the book down at times. The heroes never faced such odds, and they are hard-pressed to meet them. Dark, yet hopeful, this book sets the scene for the sequel.
May 20, 2011
An American Civil War regiment gets transported to a world where a savage spieces comes around every few years and collects tribute in the form of human flesh. Thisseries trods a well-worn path of military sci-fi (a prime example is Jerry Pournelle’s “Janissaries”?), Fortschen does decently well. The first book is not bad, but by the time I got to the end of book three, I discovered that the story was not really going anywhere anymore. There is better stuff than this out there.
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=749
http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=749
January 27, 2020
The first book is not bad, but by the time I got to the end of book two, I discovered that the story was not really going anywhere anymore. I started book three and not so slowly got bored with the plot. The characters were familiar, but stranger then usual. Attrition from multiple battles had broken the regiment but it still fought like before. The books are very, very long and they don't seem to end....just muddle on. The idea was enticing, but length and boredom cause me to quit the series at this point.
May 26, 2014
Dull as ditchwater.
But I wanted to see how they managed to overcome the odds.
That was pretty dull too.
I wonder if the 4th book is worth finding as this one is hard to find at a reasonable price.
Completists only as they used to say in the NME.
But I wanted to see how they managed to overcome the odds.
That was pretty dull too.
I wonder if the 4th book is worth finding as this one is hard to find at a reasonable price.
Completists only as they used to say in the NME.
August 7, 2018
A much better third entry. Still not as great as the first one, but a great continuation of the story.
June 21, 2023
Been reading the first Lost Regiment books back to back. An it really shows the author wanted to make a world were many historical war methods are use to interact society’s still in different actient culture styles with it Forstchen moves forward a few weeks after the last book ended and steadily moves away from ships has they become less useful in the ground war , but the Forstchen makes a story that uses the railway in a retreating type war-movement to get way from the enemies lay still fighting. This lead to the author gives bloody fights we missed in book 2, but come back in 3 has we lose new an old chacthers in this bloody battles to Dave thousands.
Has the story nears the end the author goes deeper into the hordes culture and traditions and how people fighting for there survival can use it aginst them and see how many similarities and differences between there two races. I hope this continues in the next books, has really injoyed the story over book too do I fill the air forces could’ve been better used.
Has the story nears the end the author goes deeper into the hordes culture and traditions and how people fighting for there survival can use it aginst them and see how many similarities and differences between there two races. I hope this continues in the next books, has really injoyed the story over book too do I fill the air forces could’ve been better used.
November 28, 2020
Good continuation of the series. This book changes gears a little bit as it shows more of the inner workings of the horde and the political maneuvering within. Tension though, the tension begins to ratchet up more so than the second book. It ends rather suddenly though which makes me think this and the second book may have been meant to be a single book? Either way, its an enjoyable read and I can't wait for the next book.
July 30, 2024
Scorched earth and a strategic withdrawal
This book alludes to the Russian decision in the Napoleonic and World War 2 to deny the enemy resources and the capital. Our heroes must trade space for time to train new men, build new weapons, and end the existential threat. The difference is that 1860s technology.
This book alludes to the Russian decision in the Napoleonic and World War 2 to deny the enemy resources and the capital. Our heroes must trade space for time to train new men, build new weapons, and end the existential threat. The difference is that 1860s technology.
September 23, 2017
Good read
Not as good as the first two but still a good read great way to pass the time of day
Not as good as the first two but still a good read great way to pass the time of day
January 1, 2023
Lots of events, lots of detail.
October 26, 2024
A great balance of world building, character development and action.
February 4, 2018
Slow burn to disaster, a good sense of everyone being way over their heads and things happening too quickly to be contained. familiar but well used scifi tropes make for a good read
August 29, 2013
Fun read. The book is the first of a two part series. In other words it leaves you on a cliff hanger. If you are going to read this one go ahead and buy Book #4 Fateful Lightning at the same time.
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
August 15, 2016
"Hooked"
I was captivated after book one but now I am addicted. I will order the rest of the series. I am not convinced Hans is dead. There is room for doubt since it was mentioned prisoners were taken. I enjoy trying to figure the next maneuver.
I was captivated after book one but now I am addicted. I will order the rest of the series. I am not convinced Hans is dead. There is room for doubt since it was mentioned prisoners were taken. I enjoy trying to figure the next maneuver.
September 3, 2012
This solid series gets better with each book, great battle scenes, decent characters, wonderful build up to the conclusion along with a continued enrichment of an alien culture.
April 23, 2013
Relentless action. The Merki horde pound the human allies in a genocidal war.
April 24, 2014
Great addition to the series. Looking forward to book 4. This series is good enough for movies to be made of the books.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews