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Axis of Time #4
Stalin's Hammer: Rome
Alternate history master John Birmingham unleashes an astounding new installment in his Axis of Time an original eBook novella that begins when the future and the past collide. The year is 1955, ten years after a battle fleet from 2021 exploded through a wormhole in space—straight into the Battle of Midway. A staggered, war-torn world catches its balance. Uptimers, with their extraordinary technology and strange styles, mingle with the real timers. Universities study the effects on the future. And men like Prince Harry of England find themselves playing pivotal roles in a history that has already happened. Or has it? In the starkly partitioned city of Rome, spies, killers, and mafia foot soldiers cross the dividing line between Allied and Russian Zones. Somewhere in the ancient, underground catacombs two men hunt for one another. One is Stalin’s personal assassin, the other a murderous, disillusioned acolyte of the Communist ideal, allied by fate and history with the OSS, MI6, and England’s swashbuckling Prince Harry. Harry’s own mission takes him to a glittering dinner party and a prize over which the two Russian killers are fighting—a factory owner with a terrifying secret. As the forces of West and East are locked in a stalemate, what this man knows could change Josef Stalin, hiding in a Siberian bunker, is ready to hit the world with a thunderous blow.
165 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2012
91 people are currently reading
607 people want to read
About the author
John Birmingham
77 books1,161 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
December 28, 2012
The 'Axis of Evil' trilogy by John Birmingham is quite possibly one of the BEST trilogies I have EVER read, so I had high hopes for this eBook-only, follow-on story. Based 10 or so years after the end of AofE book 3, it follows a couple of characters from the original trilogy - I won't say who or what to prevent spoilers!
Disappointment is not a strong enough sentiment. As it is set in the new/altered past-present there are no more interesting situations brought on by modern warfare/technology during the mid-20th century that made AofE so fascinating. We know how history became altered & it has now settled down into it's new timeline, so the 'new' outcome of WWII as we know it, skewered so disastrously by The Emergence, has ended & there are no longer any 'ooopppps, I just changed another major part of history' moments. Also, the plot, as it is based on only 2 or 3 of the previous characters, reads like a sub-plot of AofE & becomes, therefore, a little tedious. AofE was such a vast concept that boredom never set in - it was a juggling act trying to keep up with the many diverse plot-lines and colourful characters, both future & past, modern technology with 1930s/40s mentality. 'Stalin's Hammer:Rome', in contrast, isn't so much juggling as tossing a tennis ball from one hand to the other & back again. It wasn't bad by any means, just a little bland, and as far as this series goes, perhaps unnecessary. Needless to say, I shall download the next instalment when it appears as I HATE not finishing a story...grrrr!
Disappointment is not a strong enough sentiment. As it is set in the new/altered past-present there are no more interesting situations brought on by modern warfare/technology during the mid-20th century that made AofE so fascinating. We know how history became altered & it has now settled down into it's new timeline, so the 'new' outcome of WWII as we know it, skewered so disastrously by The Emergence, has ended & there are no longer any 'ooopppps, I just changed another major part of history' moments. Also, the plot, as it is based on only 2 or 3 of the previous characters, reads like a sub-plot of AofE & becomes, therefore, a little tedious. AofE was such a vast concept that boredom never set in - it was a juggling act trying to keep up with the many diverse plot-lines and colourful characters, both future & past, modern technology with 1930s/40s mentality. 'Stalin's Hammer:Rome', in contrast, isn't so much juggling as tossing a tennis ball from one hand to the other & back again. It wasn't bad by any means, just a little bland, and as far as this series goes, perhaps unnecessary. Needless to say, I shall download the next instalment when it appears as I HATE not finishing a story...grrrr!
May 10, 2015
Well this is a jolly romp round a divided Rome (think Berlin) in John Birmingham's Axis of Power alternative universe. Stalin has developed a nasty weapon and the implication is that details are going to be passed to the West. This is predominantly an action-packed, explosive spy thriller involving two of the characters from the series; the anti-Communist Ivanov and (much to my disgust as a British anti-Royalist) jolly Prince Harry. It's a short read and will probably end up as part of a bigger book but it's fun... and games.
July 7, 2013
I enjoy John Birmingham's work in general and absolutely adore the Axis of Time series, but this was rather disappointing. It's a novella, but honestly, it reads more like a fanfic.
In general, the AoT books are overflowing with culture clash, skewed pop culture references, and fun action setpieces, but the novella just doesn't have any of that familiar energy or spark. It's clearly supposed to be part of a series and an overarching plotline, but it feels weak as an introduction...like something Birmingham kind of tossed off in an afternoon. He wisely keeps the story pared down to two plotlines focused on fan-favourite characters (with a few cameos), but the problem is that they're both kind of wooden, and the Ivanov storyline is basically a "urban fighting in slum/wartorn area" stock story.
In general, the AoT books are overflowing with culture clash, skewed pop culture references, and fun action setpieces, but the novella just doesn't have any of that familiar energy or spark. It's clearly supposed to be part of a series and an overarching plotline, but it feels weak as an introduction...like something Birmingham kind of tossed off in an afternoon. He wisely keeps the story pared down to two plotlines focused on fan-favourite characters (with a few cameos), but the problem is that they're both kind of wooden, and the Ivanov storyline is basically a "urban fighting in slum/wartorn area" stock story.
Read
September 22, 2021Novella more than a complete book but entertaining.
April 9, 2013
The Axis of Time trilogy involved an international fleet of ships from the 21st century interrupting the battle of Midway and accidentally destroying a large part of the US fleet. Trying to put things right, giving the axis powers knowledge of their defeat, causing Stalin to reconsider his allies, and fitting 21st century civil rights into the 1940s was a grand tale. This follow up 10 years later was disappointing. Too much of it involved an agent just running around Communist North Rome, and not enough about the politics of this changed world. Hopefully the next book will get back to that. Alternate history sagas can go on forever and hopefully Birmingham won't make the mistakes Turtledove did.
February 17, 2018
And here's where the hammer falls in the series. Except the hammer isn't hammering a nail. It's hammering a mediocre alternate history story that could have been fan-made. And it's called Stalin's Hammer: Rome. Come on, Birmingham, you're not this milquetoast! Look at what you wrote before this (relatively) mildly foul-smelling book! What in the hell happened? You were the Babe Ruth of alternate history to me! Don't do this to me!
Someone else's review took the words out of my mouth. In writing the first three books, you feel like Birmingham straps you into a rollercoaster. In this book you're watching a baseball go from one hand to another, over and over again.
That being said, the Axis of Time series is still unbelievably good - if you haven't read it up to this point, you're doing yourself a disservice, especially if you love alternate history. I still think Birmingham is a great writer, and I will continue reading the Stalin's Hammer series with my fingers crossed that it gets better. I just think he sort of fumbled the ball on this one.
Someone else's review took the words out of my mouth. In writing the first three books, you feel like Birmingham straps you into a rollercoaster. In this book you're watching a baseball go from one hand to another, over and over again.
That being said, the Axis of Time series is still unbelievably good - if you haven't read it up to this point, you're doing yourself a disservice, especially if you love alternate history. I still think Birmingham is a great writer, and I will continue reading the Stalin's Hammer series with my fingers crossed that it gets better. I just think he sort of fumbled the ball on this one.
July 24, 2017
Sadly, like most short novella additions to series', this one was also short and anticlimactic. It was basically a partial story of a thread from the new cold war after the emergence. The overall plot is good, but, it's basically like a single episode of a season-long TV show.
Reminiscent of James Bond, the story involves various spy agencies and agents, primarily between the western allies and Soviet Russia. The Sovs are developing a new super-weapon, and things turn into a major clusterfuck whenever the westerners get close to finding out just what it is.
I'm a big fan of the original trilogy, so I'll read this little mini-series addition, but I just hope that we do come to some kind of conclusion by the end. I'm almost done with the second one (Cairo), and no end in sight yet. Although, the Cairo episode was a bit more fun to read.
Reminiscent of James Bond, the story involves various spy agencies and agents, primarily between the western allies and Soviet Russia. The Sovs are developing a new super-weapon, and things turn into a major clusterfuck whenever the westerners get close to finding out just what it is.
I'm a big fan of the original trilogy, so I'll read this little mini-series addition, but I just hope that we do come to some kind of conclusion by the end. I'm almost done with the second one (Cairo), and no end in sight yet. Although, the Cairo episode was a bit more fun to read.
June 25, 2022
It was not only technology that came back from the future, but also information. The information about the course of history has Stalin frantically trying to prevent the future collapse of the Soviet Union. In all of the confusion surrounding the events at Midway and the Second World War, Stalin made more of a land-grab in Europe, and the city of Rome now is divided, similar to how Berlin was in our time. However, the Italians, through the use of the Cosa Nostra and the many ancient ruins beneath the City are resisting as much as is possible. This is secondary, though, to what Stalin is planning for the world.
To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
November 30, 2020
This book was just OK. It has a couple of characters from the original three books, but it is a very different story. This is more of a spy novel than military alternate history like the first three. I didn't know that going in, so I kept waiting for the other characters to show up and more large-scale military confrontations. It also wasn't the best spy novel, either. It seemed like the author had a rough idea but hadn't fleshed out the details. The book, after this, continues the story and is better.
October 30, 2021
Doing the "Axis of Time" series justice
Birmingham continues the saga and pace of the series going in this wonderful novella. For me, I hadn't read anything from the series in many years but felt I was back in the story immediately. Truly special, Birmingham's stories & style shine through heartily and I was thoroughly entertained and sucked back into the story of familiar characters. Like catching up with old friends you have not seen in years.
Birmingham continues the saga and pace of the series going in this wonderful novella. For me, I hadn't read anything from the series in many years but felt I was back in the story immediately. Truly special, Birmingham's stories & style shine through heartily and I was thoroughly entertained and sucked back into the story of familiar characters. Like catching up with old friends you have not seen in years.
November 24, 2016
A ripping yarn that sets the stage for what will be another epic adventure. Big on action, this alt. History 'novella' recreates the mid-50s of occupied Rome, not Berlin. More Harry to come in Cairo, I hope - and hopefully the untangling of an intriguing hint about 'the events of 49' and the royal succession. You've hooked me, Birmingham.
June 1, 2019
The new Axis of Time trilogy is very different to the first three. The original to me was superior as I really love reading about warfare for whatever reason, this new series is much more about the major characters we met during the beginning of Axis of Time. I'm not in a hurry to read on to the new instalments at this point but we will see.
December 22, 2017
well written book. I really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the sequel as the book was left on a major cliffhanger.
October 1, 2019
great story and characters I really enjoyed this series
May 27, 2020
Tras la guerra mundial, la nueva guerra fría y las historias de espías son la premisa de esta novela corta que te deja un poco a medias. Un punto menos por el obvio product placement.
May 26, 2021
Loved the Axis of Time, but this one was at too fawning over Harry, and two characters have serious plot armor over the course of the trilogy.
And I'm still waiting for WW3.1
And I'm still waiting for WW3.1
Read
January 4, 2017This was a short story by the author to tide us over until the last book in the series came out. I was not so much of a fan of this short story, but I don't think that it takes anything away from Birmingham as an author or his series of speculative and alt-history novels.
June 8, 2016
Alternative history is fascinating and this book - part of a series - does it fairly well.
It takes place in a post-World War II world in which Rome, not Berlin, is the city that is divided between the Soviets and allies. This change is convincing, and the wall dividing North Berlin (Soviet) and South Berlin (Allied) is only partly effective, due to the labyrinth of tunnels and sewers, some dating back to the Roman empire, beneath the city, which allow those in the know to move between sectors.
Stalin survived his 1953 stroke but is confined to a wheelchair, from which he still calls the shots.
The alternate world in which Stalin's Hammer: Rome is set comes about as a result of a 21st century warship crashing through a wormhole into 1942. As a result, everyone (including world leaders) saw, in 1942, the course of history as we know it, and there are people called "uptimers" around.
It's an interesting device, but I prefer my alternate history to happen in the conventional space-time continuum, just with different events.
Anyway, in the wormhole scenario, Stalin foresaw the fall of the Soviet Union, and is determined it won't happen. So he follows China's model and allows some free-market activity by an elite group of Russians, while ruling with an iron fist through the Communist Party and NKVD.
But it's still very Cold War, and one of these elite Russians tries to defect, taking a huge scientific secret with him.
The rest of the story is action-packed with lots of shooting and killing, some of it convincing but some contrived.
Overall this is worth a read for those who wonder what would have happened if World War II ended with a different twist and Stalin lived a bit longer.
It takes place in a post-World War II world in which Rome, not Berlin, is the city that is divided between the Soviets and allies. This change is convincing, and the wall dividing North Berlin (Soviet) and South Berlin (Allied) is only partly effective, due to the labyrinth of tunnels and sewers, some dating back to the Roman empire, beneath the city, which allow those in the know to move between sectors.
Stalin survived his 1953 stroke but is confined to a wheelchair, from which he still calls the shots.
The alternate world in which Stalin's Hammer: Rome is set comes about as a result of a 21st century warship crashing through a wormhole into 1942. As a result, everyone (including world leaders) saw, in 1942, the course of history as we know it, and there are people called "uptimers" around.
It's an interesting device, but I prefer my alternate history to happen in the conventional space-time continuum, just with different events.
Anyway, in the wormhole scenario, Stalin foresaw the fall of the Soviet Union, and is determined it won't happen. So he follows China's model and allows some free-market activity by an elite group of Russians, while ruling with an iron fist through the Communist Party and NKVD.
But it's still very Cold War, and one of these elite Russians tries to defect, taking a huge scientific secret with him.
The rest of the story is action-packed with lots of shooting and killing, some of it convincing but some contrived.
Overall this is worth a read for those who wonder what would have happened if World War II ended with a different twist and Stalin lived a bit longer.
November 26, 2012
Stalin’s Hammer: Rome is the first in a set of serialised novellas from John Birmingham. I managed to pick it up at the introductory price of $2.99 (it’s since reverted to $4.99).
So, I am ashamed to admit, this is my first Birmingham – but it won’t be my last. Set in the alternate history of the Axis of Time series, it focuses on Stalin’s attempt to derail the future as the uptimers have foretold it.
But Stalin’s machinations largely take a back seat in this instalment. The setting is Rome, segregated much like Berlin was in our timeline. The West on one side, the communists on the other. We follow the adventures of two uptimers Prince Harry, commando, heir to the future English throne and Pavel Ivanov, ex–Spetsnaz, freelance spy, as they attempt to uncover Stalin’s plans. There’s action and intrigue aplenty - a nice intro to the alternate history and it sets up some interesting plotlines for future resolution.
Birmingham’s style is engaging and the take on history inventive. I would have liked more of the story, but I guess that’s the point of serialised fiction, to get you to want to read more. It falls more into the camp of the post war spy fiction category in terms of pacing, the short nature of the medium really doesn’t allow for an escalating run up to a techno thriller ending.
I’ll be coming back for more.
So, I am ashamed to admit, this is my first Birmingham – but it won’t be my last. Set in the alternate history of the Axis of Time series, it focuses on Stalin’s attempt to derail the future as the uptimers have foretold it.
But Stalin’s machinations largely take a back seat in this instalment. The setting is Rome, segregated much like Berlin was in our timeline. The West on one side, the communists on the other. We follow the adventures of two uptimers Prince Harry, commando, heir to the future English throne and Pavel Ivanov, ex–Spetsnaz, freelance spy, as they attempt to uncover Stalin’s plans. There’s action and intrigue aplenty - a nice intro to the alternate history and it sets up some interesting plotlines for future resolution.
Birmingham’s style is engaging and the take on history inventive. I would have liked more of the story, but I guess that’s the point of serialised fiction, to get you to want to read more. It falls more into the camp of the post war spy fiction category in terms of pacing, the short nature of the medium really doesn’t allow for an escalating run up to a techno thriller ending.
I’ll be coming back for more.
November 19, 2014
Okay, there is little flawed in this novella, the writing is solid and both main protagonists are pretty nice guys... (that's Harry Windsor and Ivanov the Spetsnaz from the future), still it does not really compare to the origina trilogy as onne - it is an espionage story that does not try too hard to go into details about the future tech or showcases any warfare actions... two it is not the most inspired or original plot... and three .. it's awffully short and has no real place to spread out its wings and soar about as the acxis of time boooks could and did.
and i'm a bit concerned why the announced follow up "Cairo" has not yet reached Goodreads... could this have sold so poorly that the sequel was cancelled
and i'm a bit concerned why the announced follow up "Cairo" has not yet reached Goodreads... could this have sold so poorly that the sequel was cancelled
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2024
Back to the alternate history world from the Kolhammer Universe. This one is more of a Cold War story after the end of (alternate history) WWII. Mostly we follow Prince Harry in Rome.
It is a Cold War story. A bit slower paced, in that there is not an active war ongoing. There is not as much interplay between the old and new technologies. It reads more like the first installment of a longer storyline, which it is.
A re-read:
I have a greater appreciation for this tale as I have read it closer to finishing the first trilogy. Yes, it is a cold war story, but under a Stalin led Soviet Union. So a much more brutal enforcement behind the new "Wall". I'm going to still stick with my 3 star rating for this shorter story line.
Have a GoodReads.
It is a Cold War story. A bit slower paced, in that there is not an active war ongoing. There is not as much interplay between the old and new technologies. It reads more like the first installment of a longer storyline, which it is.
A re-read:
I have a greater appreciation for this tale as I have read it closer to finishing the first trilogy. Yes, it is a cold war story, but under a Stalin led Soviet Union. So a much more brutal enforcement behind the new "Wall". I'm going to still stick with my 3 star rating for this shorter story line.
Have a GoodReads.
March 14, 2013
Read the Axis of Time and loved them all.
However, this is awful... Don't go in to this Axis, please don't!!!
How I review...
1 star - binned it before half way, please don't write anymore!!!
2 stars - finally binned it after really trying, I mean really trying and I hate to not finishing someth....
3 stars - finished it but boy was that hard work on times, it just about hooked me back in as I was about to dump it
4 stars - great book but it lacked something, something, can't put my finger on it but.... something
5 stars - want more, more books, more movies about the books, more movies about the authors and the making of the movie, just more!!!
However, this is awful... Don't go in to this Axis, please don't!!!
How I review...
1 star - binned it before half way, please don't write anymore!!!
2 stars - finally binned it after really trying, I mean really trying and I hate to not finishing someth....
3 stars - finished it but boy was that hard work on times, it just about hooked me back in as I was about to dump it
4 stars - great book but it lacked something, something, can't put my finger on it but.... something
5 stars - want more, more books, more movies about the books, more movies about the authors and the making of the movie, just more!!!
March 25, 2015
A great side-story to the Axis of Time series. We finally get to see Prince Harry (in this universe) as a focal character, including what was determined of his position in the royal family when his grandmother is younger than he is. It's also interesting how, instead of Berlin, Rome is the divided city with a wall down the middle.
Spies, defectors and secret Soviet weapons (since Stalin, who has now lived longer than he would have in our world, is determined that the collapse of the USSR won't happen the same way in this changed timeline).
I look forward to the next part of this story.
Spies, defectors and secret Soviet weapons (since Stalin, who has now lived longer than he would have in our world, is determined that the collapse of the USSR won't happen the same way in this changed timeline).
I look forward to the next part of this story.
February 23, 2014
A little abrupt in the ending of it and one has to remember that it is a short story, novella, call it what you will. I'm wondering if when all parts of this story are put together it will form a novel. I wish Mr.Birmingham were as prolific as some of his fellow writers.
As an introduction to a larger story this works very well. A reader of Birmingham's previous work will be familiar with the main characters. Someone coming in cold might feel a little lost. I' ll look forward to the next installment. I hope he can fit in a little writing while lounging on the beach.
As an introduction to a larger story this works very well. A reader of Birmingham's previous work will be familiar with the main characters. Someone coming in cold might feel a little lost. I' ll look forward to the next installment. I hope he can fit in a little writing while lounging on the beach.
March 24, 2014
John Birmingham has made a welcome return to the alternate history that he created in his World War trilogy. Rather than the military focus that was the mainstay of the original books, this one is a Cold War spy story. Or rather a short story - this one is around a hundred pages as compared to the 450-500 pages of the earlier books.
This is where I find this book slightly disappointing - it's not long enough. It would seem that Birmingham is going to advance this story is smaller sections. I would like more, but this is a story I am happy to follow in whatever size chunks I can get.
This is where I find this book slightly disappointing - it's not long enough. It would seem that Birmingham is going to advance this story is smaller sections. I would like more, but this is a story I am happy to follow in whatever size chunks I can get.
December 20, 2012
This is a short story that is clearly part of a bigger story. There is no conclusion to this novel and that is disappointing. This is just the opening part and that is frustrating. It's time line is in the altered reality created in Weapons Of Choice, but set ten years later. That fact makes it interesting to read, but I just can't get past the frustration of a no conclusion.
April 18, 2014
I loved the axis of time trilogy, my introduction to alternate history fiction. Great concepts, great characters and not a little ogre and violence. Was delighted to find there was a fourth in the trilogy, but pretty disappointing. Few of my favorite characters, a very narrow and seemingly pointless story. This was a thin book, and I guess he's going to keep pumping out more of these. I'll probably try one more.
September 17, 2015
Avery enjoyable read. The story tells of a chase through a divided Rome (think Berlin) and the defection of a Russian official. Two of our friends from the Axis of Time books are here, Prince Harry and Ivanov the Spetznaz operative. This is set about ten years after the war and it hints about something monstrous being developed by Stalin - his hammer perhaps? Whatever that is! Anyway, it's a good read and will while away the hours. Now, I must find the next one if I can.....
May 8, 2016
Stalin's Hammer Rome John Birmingham
The Russians control Rome. A wormhole has opened, but backwards in time. Some know the past...which is now the future, and it can be changed. Non stop action thriller , Ian Fleming on steroids. Non stop action!!!! I know I'm repeating myself, but this is a fantastic read! M16 OSS CIA...there all players. James Bond would be a choir boy in this book!!
The Russians control Rome. A wormhole has opened, but backwards in time. Some know the past...which is now the future, and it can be changed. Non stop action thriller , Ian Fleming on steroids. Non stop action!!!! I know I'm repeating myself, but this is a fantastic read! M16 OSS CIA...there all players. James Bond would be a choir boy in this book!!
December 25, 2012
I love all things John Birmingham and, despite the fact that his cool writing style, whip-smart dialogue and clever cameos mask over the bare bones of a narrative here, I love the fact that he has returned to the Axis of Time world through the ebook novella, a form more appropriate to his stylings, one might argue. Bring on "Stalin's Hammer: Cairo".
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews