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The War That Came Early #3
The Big Switch
In 1941 Winston Churchill was Hitler’s worst enemy. Then a Nazi secret agent changed everything.
What if Neville Chamberlain, instead of appeasing Hitler, had stood up to him in 1938? Enraged, Hitler reacts by lashing out at the West, promising his soldiers that they will reach Paris by the new year. Instead, three years pass, and with his genocidal apparatus not fully in place, Hitler barely survives a coup, while Jews cling to survival, and England and France wonder whether the war is still worthwhile. The stage is set for World War II to unfold far differently from the history we know—courtesy of Harry Turtledove, wizard of “what if?,” in the continuation of his thrilling series: The War That Came Early.
Through the eyes of characters ranging from a brawling American serving with the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in Spain to a woman who has seen Hitler’s evil face-to-face, The Big Switch rolls relentlessly forward into 1941. As the Germans and their Polish allies slam into the gut of the Soviet Union in the west, Japan pummels away in the east. Meanwhile, in the trenches of France, French and Czech forces are outmanned but not outfought by their Nazi enemy. Then the stalemate is shattered. In England Winston Churchill dies suddenly, leaving the gray men wondering who their real enemy is. And as the USSR makes peace with Japan, the empire of the Rising Sun looks westward—its war with America about to begin.
BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Harry Turtledove's The War That Came Early: Coup d'Etat.
What if Neville Chamberlain, instead of appeasing Hitler, had stood up to him in 1938? Enraged, Hitler reacts by lashing out at the West, promising his soldiers that they will reach Paris by the new year. Instead, three years pass, and with his genocidal apparatus not fully in place, Hitler barely survives a coup, while Jews cling to survival, and England and France wonder whether the war is still worthwhile. The stage is set for World War II to unfold far differently from the history we know—courtesy of Harry Turtledove, wizard of “what if?,” in the continuation of his thrilling series: The War That Came Early.
Through the eyes of characters ranging from a brawling American serving with the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in Spain to a woman who has seen Hitler’s evil face-to-face, The Big Switch rolls relentlessly forward into 1941. As the Germans and their Polish allies slam into the gut of the Soviet Union in the west, Japan pummels away in the east. Meanwhile, in the trenches of France, French and Czech forces are outmanned but not outfought by their Nazi enemy. Then the stalemate is shattered. In England Winston Churchill dies suddenly, leaving the gray men wondering who their real enemy is. And as the USSR makes peace with Japan, the empire of the Rising Sun looks westward—its war with America about to begin.
BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Harry Turtledove's The War That Came Early: Coup d'Etat.
433 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2011
66 people are currently reading
580 people want to read
About the author
Harry Turtledove
564 books1,966 followersDr Harry Norman Turtledove is an American novelist, who has produced a sizeable number of works in several genres including alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy and science fiction.
Harry Turtledove attended UCLA, where he received a Ph.D. in Byzantine history in 1977.
Turtledove has been dubbed "The Master of Alternate History". Within this genre he is known both for creating original scenarios: such as survival of the Byzantine Empire; an alien invasion in the middle of the World War II; and for giving a fresh and original treatment to themes previously dealt with by other authors, such as the victory of the South in the American Civil War; and of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
His novels have been credited with bringing alternate history into the mainstream. His style of alternate history has a strong military theme.
Harry Turtledove attended UCLA, where he received a Ph.D. in Byzantine history in 1977.
Turtledove has been dubbed "The Master of Alternate History". Within this genre he is known both for creating original scenarios: such as survival of the Byzantine Empire; an alien invasion in the middle of the World War II; and for giving a fresh and original treatment to themes previously dealt with by other authors, such as the victory of the South in the American Civil War; and of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
His novels have been credited with bringing alternate history into the mainstream. His style of alternate history has a strong military theme.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
December 17, 2014
Book after book, I keep paging through Harry Turtledove's WAR THAT CAME EARLY, hoping that something will happen. Something big, explosive, and unexpected. Some huge surprise. And over and over, NOTHING HAPPENS!
Please, please, please don't make me watch the ugly French Lieutenant smoke another Gitane. Please, don't make me listen to cheerful, upbeat Sarah Goldman say once again that things are tough for the Jews. Please, please, can we just stick to the combat, the shooting, the rat-a-tat-tat stuff?
Turtledove is a genius at padding, stretching the thinnest of plots over two, three, four books and no end in sight! Maybe twice in each book a major character will actually die. When Pete McGill's Russian girl friend got it I was happy, hoping something big would HAPPEN. But it didn't.
Now, on a more serious note, I have to point out that Turtledove is a total wimp. His "alternative" World War II is sanitized and all the horrible real-life tragedies are dialed down. Way down! For no reason that is ever given, Hitler never quite gets around to his "Final Solution." Instead we get endless scenes of Sarah Goldman giving her boyfriend hand jobs in the park. (Diary of Anne Frank, this ain't!) And then there's the lovable Panzer crew with the token Jew, who seems to be there just to prove that the whole German Army (with the single exception of Awful Arno) is a bunch of swell guys.
And the lesser known atrocities are handled just as badly. Sgt. Fujita says over and over that the Russian prisoners in the disease lab in Manchuria are no longer human and deserve to be infected with horrible diseases. But when an angry Russian prisoner demands, "why you do this to us? We human too!" The hard-boiled Japanese sergeant just walks away. In real life he would have bayoneted him to death on the spot. This was the one moment where some real drama was called for, where you had a real confrontation between two men. But it fizzles to nothing as Turtledove just moves to his next chapter and next thin, padded, endless story arc.
Yes, I've already ordered book four from the library. Sigh!!!!
Please, please, please don't make me watch the ugly French Lieutenant smoke another Gitane. Please, don't make me listen to cheerful, upbeat Sarah Goldman say once again that things are tough for the Jews. Please, please, can we just stick to the combat, the shooting, the rat-a-tat-tat stuff?
Turtledove is a genius at padding, stretching the thinnest of plots over two, three, four books and no end in sight! Maybe twice in each book a major character will actually die. When Pete McGill's Russian girl friend got it I was happy, hoping something big would HAPPEN. But it didn't.
Now, on a more serious note, I have to point out that Turtledove is a total wimp. His "alternative" World War II is sanitized and all the horrible real-life tragedies are dialed down. Way down! For no reason that is ever given, Hitler never quite gets around to his "Final Solution." Instead we get endless scenes of Sarah Goldman giving her boyfriend hand jobs in the park. (Diary of Anne Frank, this ain't!) And then there's the lovable Panzer crew with the token Jew, who seems to be there just to prove that the whole German Army (with the single exception of Awful Arno) is a bunch of swell guys.
And the lesser known atrocities are handled just as badly. Sgt. Fujita says over and over that the Russian prisoners in the disease lab in Manchuria are no longer human and deserve to be infected with horrible diseases. But when an angry Russian prisoner demands, "why you do this to us? We human too!" The hard-boiled Japanese sergeant just walks away. In real life he would have bayoneted him to death on the spot. This was the one moment where some real drama was called for, where you had a real confrontation between two men. But it fizzles to nothing as Turtledove just moves to his next chapter and next thin, padded, endless story arc.
Yes, I've already ordered book four from the library. Sigh!!!!
January 8, 2012
Less dragging and repetitive than the previous entries in the series, so that's good. Sadly, the main plot point is absurdly unbelievable. France and England accepting a cease-fire or even a full peace treaty I could accept, actually switching sides to join Germany in a crusade against the Soviets? No way, especially not when they were winning, pushing the Germans back out of France. It's rather rare for nations to switch sides in a war and almost every case that comes to mind in involves a state that was in the process of being defeated or was compelled in some other way. The Big Switch never makes a reasonable case for the actions of the French and British and thus is far less compelling than it might otherwise have been.
March 9, 2021
This was another entertaining entry into this alternate World War Two series. Perhaps some may consider it spoiler territory, but with a title like "The Big Switch," I think one should be able to figure out what may occur. And if you can't; the UK and France sign a peace with Germany then side with them to go against the USSR. Meanwhile, the USSR makes peace with Japan, which then frees Japan to go against the USA.
There were a couple of deaths I was not expecting, and the story flowed well enough.
There were a couple of deaths I was not expecting, and the story flowed well enough.
March 16, 2022
Sometimes a book falls short due to the author and sometimes due to the reader. In this case it was due to both of us. As evidenced by many passages in this book, Harry Turtledove is not a bad writer. He can build suspense and is decent at world building. But and this is a big but, he could not deliver a character let alone characters I cared about. This was partially my fault as I started a series with the 3rd book but even with that caveat, there were far too many perspectives as well as too much military jargon.
My biggest issue with this book was the abundance of perspectives. While, if done with care and purpose a multi-perspective story can enhance the plot in this case it dampened it. It seemed every 8 or so pages we were transferred to a new theater of war. Just when you were getting in a flow with a character, you were abruptly shifted. I would start caring about a character, then I would have to wait 50 or so pages for them to return. Instead of building the desired suspense it largely left me confused and indifferent. An interesting event or silly scene (Sarah Goodman giving her boyfriend a handjob in the the bushes at the crowded park) would happen and then you would be transported into the Eastern Front or Philadelphia willy-nilly. I give Mr. Turtledove credit for trying to show various perspectives but it would have served him better to nix four or so of the less interesting plots.
Another concern I had was with the military jargon. It seems like instead of a twist or further building a characters' motives we were subjected to a discussion about the might of the diverse machines of war. Though I can appreciate a good discussion on the efficiency of weaponry, I could have done without the minutiae. It felt like a fourth of the book was description of the functions of tanks/panzers or airplanes. I am sure it is fascinating to a subsection of people whether or not that Soviet plane has the power to fly safely home after a bombing raid, but I am not one of them.
Overall, while I can not recommend this book, with a few modifications and less filler it could have been a compelling read. Harry Turtledove, is capable and as evidenced by his arcane detailing of battle craft, is well researched. Some of his issues were ones that are common in a bridge piece of work, where you are trying to further the plot while at the same time making sure there is a sensible continuity. While, there was an important meeting and consequently a "big switch" as stated by the title, there was still little to keep the reader riveted. Instead of feeling like an important piece of the puzzle it felt like filler that was meant to whet the appetite of the reader. I reckon I will give Mr. Turtledove another try but it will involve one of his series dealing with aliens or perhaps the Civil War.
My biggest issue with this book was the abundance of perspectives. While, if done with care and purpose a multi-perspective story can enhance the plot in this case it dampened it. It seemed every 8 or so pages we were transferred to a new theater of war. Just when you were getting in a flow with a character, you were abruptly shifted. I would start caring about a character, then I would have to wait 50 or so pages for them to return. Instead of building the desired suspense it largely left me confused and indifferent. An interesting event or silly scene (Sarah Goodman giving her boyfriend a handjob in the the bushes at the crowded park) would happen and then you would be transported into the Eastern Front or Philadelphia willy-nilly. I give Mr. Turtledove credit for trying to show various perspectives but it would have served him better to nix four or so of the less interesting plots.
Another concern I had was with the military jargon. It seems like instead of a twist or further building a characters' motives we were subjected to a discussion about the might of the diverse machines of war. Though I can appreciate a good discussion on the efficiency of weaponry, I could have done without the minutiae. It felt like a fourth of the book was description of the functions of tanks/panzers or airplanes. I am sure it is fascinating to a subsection of people whether or not that Soviet plane has the power to fly safely home after a bombing raid, but I am not one of them.
Overall, while I can not recommend this book, with a few modifications and less filler it could have been a compelling read. Harry Turtledove, is capable and as evidenced by his arcane detailing of battle craft, is well researched. Some of his issues were ones that are common in a bridge piece of work, where you are trying to further the plot while at the same time making sure there is a sensible continuity. While, there was an important meeting and consequently a "big switch" as stated by the title, there was still little to keep the reader riveted. Instead of feeling like an important piece of the puzzle it felt like filler that was meant to whet the appetite of the reader. I reckon I will give Mr. Turtledove another try but it will involve one of his series dealing with aliens or perhaps the Civil War.
May 29, 2013
Tedious. That's really all I have to say. I love books about WWII. I love historical fiction and alternative histories, but I just could not get into this and finally gave up. There were thousands of characters- or well, not really; it just felt like it. The characters were so flat and one dimensional: American socialite, German sniper, Japanese army, etc. and they all seemed to be drawn as stereotypes. I had a hard time keeping track of them all and ultimately, did not care if I kept track.
March 14, 2022
Another good book in this series, Churchill dies in a questionable car accident, and Rudolf Hess parachutes into Britain to convince the British and French to join them in fighting the Russians. The characters in this book have great realistic interactions from a German panzer crew to a Check snipper to the trials of a Jewish family in Munster Germany. Including a German U-boat captain, and Moore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2011
This is book 3 in Harry Turtledove's War War II series "The War That Came Early." Turtledove has "redone" War War II several times, which is probably why I feel he's phoning these in. Too many of the scenes seem like I've read them before. And I probably have, as I've read pretty much everything Turtledove has published. His earlier takes on WWII include the Worldwar Series, a retelling with an alien invasion that leads to cooperation among what were enemies in our timeline; the Darkness Series, a six-volume fantasy retelling of WWII where the technology is medieval-level, magic works, dragons are airplanes, and ley lines are railroad tracks. He also had a two-volume series where the Japanese successfully invaded Hawaii.
Supposedly this series will have three more volumes! Oh boy!
The premise of this new series is that Neville Chamberlain, instead of appeasing Hitler opposes him, and thus Germany begins World War II earlier than in our timeline by invading Czechoslovakia. Some major historical events take place in this volume which change things quite a bit more, and that's "The Big Switch" alluded to in this title. By the midpoint of the book, the flow of the war (which looked mostly similar to our own timeline's) is completely changed.
Turtledove covers sweeping historical forces through the viewpoints of individuals in different parts of the world. So we observe the Japanese attempted invasion of Vladivostok through the eyes of a Japanese sergeant, and later an Armenian pilot for the Soviet Union (who was originally co-piloting the Eastern Front in Poland). We see the war in France through the unlikeliest sniper you'll ever meet, a Czech armed with an antitank gun, as well as a German army grunt whose unit is slowly giving ground through Eastern France. I enjoyed those sections because his corporal is nicknamed "Awful Arno" and the reader is amazed that nobody has fragged him in the first two books.
In addition the Spanish Civil War is still being fought; we see those developments through a New York Jew placed with the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. There's another American who is stuck in Europe for a year and a half due to the war; she finally returns to Mainline Philadelphia only to find she's aghast at the attitudes of her countrymen. We get a glimpse of realpolitik with the contrast of the slow grinding away of civil rights for Jews in Germany (through a young woman in Munster) and avoidance of these policies toward Polish Jews, as Poland is helping the Germans drive the Soviets out.
I guess I consider these books sort of literary popcorn: not much nutritional value but fun to tear through. The plots are intriguing, the historical questions they raise stay with me, I just wish I didn't feel like this one was stitched together so quickly.
Supposedly this series will have three more volumes! Oh boy!
The premise of this new series is that Neville Chamberlain, instead of appeasing Hitler opposes him, and thus Germany begins World War II earlier than in our timeline by invading Czechoslovakia. Some major historical events take place in this volume which change things quite a bit more, and that's "The Big Switch" alluded to in this title. By the midpoint of the book, the flow of the war (which looked mostly similar to our own timeline's) is completely changed.
Turtledove covers sweeping historical forces through the viewpoints of individuals in different parts of the world. So we observe the Japanese attempted invasion of Vladivostok through the eyes of a Japanese sergeant, and later an Armenian pilot for the Soviet Union (who was originally co-piloting the Eastern Front in Poland). We see the war in France through the unlikeliest sniper you'll ever meet, a Czech armed with an antitank gun, as well as a German army grunt whose unit is slowly giving ground through Eastern France. I enjoyed those sections because his corporal is nicknamed "Awful Arno" and the reader is amazed that nobody has fragged him in the first two books.
In addition the Spanish Civil War is still being fought; we see those developments through a New York Jew placed with the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. There's another American who is stuck in Europe for a year and a half due to the war; she finally returns to Mainline Philadelphia only to find she's aghast at the attitudes of her countrymen. We get a glimpse of realpolitik with the contrast of the slow grinding away of civil rights for Jews in Germany (through a young woman in Munster) and avoidance of these policies toward Polish Jews, as Poland is helping the Germans drive the Soviets out.
I guess I consider these books sort of literary popcorn: not much nutritional value but fun to tear through. The plots are intriguing, the historical questions they raise stay with me, I just wish I didn't feel like this one was stitched together so quickly.
April 5, 2018
Harry Turtledove’s newest volume in his “War that Came Early” series picks up where his last book, , left off with a war grinding on in the harsh winter of 1940. Both Germany and the Soviet Union find themselves facing two-front conflicts, and with the focus increasingly on the clash with each other, their leaders are willing to let go on the other front. For the Soviets, that means allowing Japanese triumphs in Siberia. For the Germans, however, a more radical move is attempted: convincing their opponents Britain and France to change sides and join the Nazis in their war against Communism. Yet as the prospects of an alliance grow increasingly likely, the question posed by Winston Churchill seems increasingly pertinent: can the proverbial lambs lie down with the Nazi lion, or are they just setting themselves up to be consumed in turn?
Longtime fans of Turtledove’s alternate history novels will find much that is familiar within the pages of his latest book, as he describes the experiences of a cast of characters struggling to survive in a world where history takes a dramatic new turn. Yet the series does not measure up to his best efforts. The main flaw here seems to be one of characterization: unlike his Timeline-191 series, which offered a range of characters from different backgrounds and positions, nearly all of the characters in this series are enlisted men fighting in the war he described. This has the unfortunate effect of homogenizing the people and the action, as well as creating a similarity of perspective that limits his ability to offer exposition of the broader events that define alternate history. The problem is not without a solution – Turtledove has demonstrated in the past an ability to transition new characters into ongoing series – but he will need to do so soon or face squandering the effort he put into developing his latest alternate world.
Longtime fans of Turtledove’s alternate history novels will find much that is familiar within the pages of his latest book, as he describes the experiences of a cast of characters struggling to survive in a world where history takes a dramatic new turn. Yet the series does not measure up to his best efforts. The main flaw here seems to be one of characterization: unlike his Timeline-191 series, which offered a range of characters from different backgrounds and positions, nearly all of the characters in this series are enlisted men fighting in the war he described. This has the unfortunate effect of homogenizing the people and the action, as well as creating a similarity of perspective that limits his ability to offer exposition of the broader events that define alternate history. The problem is not without a solution – Turtledove has demonstrated in the past an ability to transition new characters into ongoing series – but he will need to do so soon or face squandering the effort he put into developing his latest alternate world.
May 13, 2011
The series that started in Hitler's War chugs along slowly and somewhat repetitively here, though things happen of course and history moves even farther away from our timeline (one hint: Winston Churchill never gets to be PM when Chamberlain's cancer takes him down in 1940)
The main problem with the book is that the format that worked very well in the first volume and reasonably well in the second (multiple pov's from front line grunts - low ranking officers or just regular soldiers - in all theaters of war plus the two very different women's experiences - a Jewish girl in Nazi Germany and a wealthy American trapped in Europe) stalls here with the same old, same old to a large extent; this being said the book still compelled me to turn the pages and I finished it fast, but it is a very middle-series book where things just chug along and i hope the next volume heats them up considerably
The main problem with the book is that the format that worked very well in the first volume and reasonably well in the second (multiple pov's from front line grunts - low ranking officers or just regular soldiers - in all theaters of war plus the two very different women's experiences - a Jewish girl in Nazi Germany and a wealthy American trapped in Europe) stalls here with the same old, same old to a large extent; this being said the book still compelled me to turn the pages and I finished it fast, but it is a very middle-series book where things just chug along and i hope the next volume heats them up considerably
Want to read
June 30, 2011As of June 30th I haven't received this book from the Goodreads giveaway. :(
June 3, 2022
Alternate history is a genre that examines what if history had happened a little bit differently. I enjoy reading that very much and Harry Turtledove is considered one of the top writers in this genre. There are things I love about his stories and some things that have vexed me over the years I’ve been faithfully reading him. Right here, this series begins letting me down.
The premise here is that England and France did not try to appease Hitler, but jumped into the war early on. With war on the European continent breaking out early, there are many things that were happening that were different. On top of that, there was some political intrigue going on in England. The up-and-coming Winston Churchill is hit by a car and killed. Coincidence?
What that means, though, is that there is no Churchill with single-minded opposition to Hitler in place as Prime Minister. For this novel, that is very important. With the United States still neutral in the European conflict, England and France start getting more nervous about what was going on in the Soviet Union, despite the fact that they are supposed to be allies against Germany. Indeed, the Soviet interference in the Civil War going on in Spain greatly worries France. Perhaps having Germany as a buffer between France and the Soviet Union, isn’t such a bad thing…
To read my full review, please visit: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
The premise here is that England and France did not try to appease Hitler, but jumped into the war early on. With war on the European continent breaking out early, there are many things that were happening that were different. On top of that, there was some political intrigue going on in England. The up-and-coming Winston Churchill is hit by a car and killed. Coincidence?
What that means, though, is that there is no Churchill with single-minded opposition to Hitler in place as Prime Minister. For this novel, that is very important. With the United States still neutral in the European conflict, England and France start getting more nervous about what was going on in the Soviet Union, despite the fact that they are supposed to be allies against Germany. Indeed, the Soviet interference in the Civil War going on in Spain greatly worries France. Perhaps having Germany as a buffer between France and the Soviet Union, isn’t such a bad thing…
To read my full review, please visit: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
March 12, 2018
This is a typical Harry Turtledove book, which is to say that it is terrific. The third installment in this series, it follows the tried and true and successful formula of following a huge cast of characters as they experience events in an alternate version of World War II. It's not necessary to read the previous volumes, but it helps as I lent a friend the first two in this series and he accidentally read the second volume first, but then was hooked so he had to go back and read the first. The plotlines are way too numerous to list here, but Mr. Turtledove has the ability to make you care for the characters no matter what side of the lines they are on and it does touch you when they are occasionally killed. It is war, after all. If you are a history buff, this book is right up your alley as it's mix of historical figures and just plain citizens and soldiers caught up in world events is addicting. Another great book and I'm looking forward to the next one in the series, as always!
February 16, 2019
This is the third book so I better read the first two.
I picked up this book up at that the Friends of the Library sale. It just looked interesting because it’s an alternate history about World War II.
It follows several characters in several different scenarios. The Civil War in Spain, the Eastern Front, USA, the Japanese in Manchuria, China and the Philippines and battles on land, sea and in the air.
I liked reading about equipment, tanks, bombers, fighter aircraft, submarines and weapons on World War II.
It was good escapism for me but I don’t think it would be for everyone.
I can’t think of too many people I rub shoulders with that would like this book.
Maybe my friend Dan in southern Ohio. But not too many others.
I really enjoyed it though.
Having said that I like books that take place during the wars and conflicts that we have had in the centuries past.
I picked up this book up at that the Friends of the Library sale. It just looked interesting because it’s an alternate history about World War II.
It follows several characters in several different scenarios. The Civil War in Spain, the Eastern Front, USA, the Japanese in Manchuria, China and the Philippines and battles on land, sea and in the air.
I liked reading about equipment, tanks, bombers, fighter aircraft, submarines and weapons on World War II.
It was good escapism for me but I don’t think it would be for everyone.
I can’t think of too many people I rub shoulders with that would like this book.
Maybe my friend Dan in southern Ohio. But not too many others.
I really enjoyed it though.
Having said that I like books that take place during the wars and conflicts that we have had in the centuries past.
August 24, 2017
Alternate history is difficult to manage as even the smallest change can have an incredible impact. That being said some things will happen no matter how much you tried to divert it. Because WWII starts early in this series many important events that occurred prior in reality were still in play in this reality. Spanish Civil War was still raging, the Molotov Pact was not sealed, the persecution within the Reich had not progressed as far, the Empire of Japan and the USSR were still at each others' throats over the Far East. All well written and thought out. I look forward to reading the next in the series to see whom jumps into bed with whom.
September 19, 2019
Liked the concept of war story based on WWII but with counter-factual assumptions regarding war in Spain, events in France, Russia, Hawaii & China. Sorry to say it is too easy to take for granted the lack of world war since 1945, and the general trend away from war as a way to solve dispute or make one side rich. Thankfully, the book does a good job picturing war from the perspective of troops (plus airmen and sailors) and civilians, including the persecuted minorities. Importance of avoiding polarizing assumptions and hatred is made clear, along with need to avoid greed for territory or colonies.
December 27, 2020
WW-II tanks are something I've known little about. This book series spent much time from the perspective of a Panzer II's crew. I had always thought tanks were pretty much resistant to just about everything, short of a nuclear bomb. Not so: Their armor was only so thick and there were plenty of vulnerable areas of the machine. It had to be hard, being inside one: Not for anyone with claustrophobia. Better than being on foot, as an infantry soldier.
Because of this book, I did some research into Panzer I, II and III tanks, learned that these were very low powered. Only 150 HP for a Panzer II. Really??? It is a wonder these tanks could do ANYTHING useful.
Because of this book, I did some research into Panzer I, II and III tanks, learned that these were very low powered. Only 150 HP for a Panzer II. Really??? It is a wonder these tanks could do ANYTHING useful.
March 25, 2022
This alternate history war continues improving. I know some will argue that the Big Switch is not realistic, but when you look at the insanity of current political types and the totally bad decisions they make, this switch actually makes sense in the stupid political logic of the times. Totally STUPID, but it is realistic. When will people ever learn to look longer term than their ....? Character development continues and due to the hazards of war new characters are introduced. Recommended, but read this series in order.
May 7, 2021
This is the book in the series that I had the most trouble with. I'm not sure that you can start on one side of a war and then switch to the other side without some pretty severe repercussions at home. The book talks about the soldiers grumbling, but not a lot about rioting on the home front or people refusing to enlist.
But after all I consider these books guilty pleasures. Fun to read, but you can't spend too much time second guessing the author's alternative history scenarios.
But after all I consider these books guilty pleasures. Fun to read, but you can't spend too much time second guessing the author's alternative history scenarios.
June 2, 2018
Another entertaining read, a good way to while away some time. My main complaint is that Mr. Turtledove in ensuring that each book in the series can stand alone repeats, within the story, a few too many of the character idiosyncrasies or plot details. The vast majority of people reading the book are also reading the series.
December 21, 2019
Good solid AH
This is the third book in the series and it carried the story with just one surprise moment. I've read almost everything that Turtledove has published and he's one of my favorite authors because of the cars he puts in his characters.
This is the third book in the series and it carried the story with just one surprise moment. I've read almost everything that Turtledove has published and he's one of my favorite authors because of the cars he puts in his characters.
May 8, 2021
The alternate universe is expanding and changing from our history more and more. How does England and France join Germany?? More like why, even though the thought of that turns my stomach it’s Interesting to read. I guess Churchill dying would have changed the world !!
July 3, 2021
Another great alternate history of WWII. This time it’s most of Western Europe (but not the USA) versus the Germans, including Russia that is at the same fighting the Japanese around Manchuria. Without giving away the “big switch,” history rapidly changes the roles of all the combatants.
June 21, 2024
Not as good as his earlier books, but still enjoyable. In Turtledove's fashion, he takes certain points history and he inserts a twist with a different outcome. He takes interesting twist with what would happen if the allies through in with the Germans to defeat Russia. Recommended.
December 27, 2017
Harry Turtledove is the master of grand epic stories. I really wish he would not have so much repetition within each volume. He underestimates the intelligence of his readers.
June 18, 2018
Very interesting spinning of history. Not really my cup of tea, but very well thought out and precise.
August 16, 2018
hmmm.
A lot sure happens and the feeling of things spinning out of control is more pronounced. very enjoyable.
A lot sure happens and the feeling of things spinning out of control is more pronounced. very enjoyable.
September 15, 2018
An excellent read.
February 3, 2020
This was my first Turtledove book and I really enjoyed. I love the way he presented the different ways soldiers on all fronts experienced the bitterness of war
September 16, 2021
Another good read
Turtledove has a very good style for writing war stories. Makes the perils that the participants run real. Good work
Turtledove has a very good style for writing war stories. Makes the perils that the participants run real. Good work
October 26, 2024
This is three stars because another author could have written the plotline and I would enjoy it
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