What do you think?
Rate this book
The Axis of Time Reloaded #1
World War 3.1: A Novel of the Axis of Time
WORLD WAR 3.1
The year is 1954. A decade has passed since Berlin and Tokyo were consumed by nuclear fire, but war claws its way back to a world forever altered. The ailing Soviet dictator, Josef Stalin, strikes NATO with a colossal orbital assault, propelling waves of tanks and over a million soldiers westward — all armed with 21st-century tech plundered from a future they never knew.
Admiral Kolhammer, Prince Harry, and Charlotte Francois are compelled to once again take arms. They're fighting not only to save the world but history itself. Yet, in this complex web of time and conflict, not everybody wants to be saved.
Brimming with the raw combat intensity and high-octane alternate history that fans adored in "Weapons of Choice," this fresh installment revitalizes the groundbreaking Axis of Time series for both returning readers and newcomers
The year is 1954. A decade has passed since Berlin and Tokyo were consumed by nuclear fire, but war claws its way back to a world forever altered. The ailing Soviet dictator, Josef Stalin, strikes NATO with a colossal orbital assault, propelling waves of tanks and over a million soldiers westward — all armed with 21st-century tech plundered from a future they never knew.
Admiral Kolhammer, Prince Harry, and Charlotte Francois are compelled to once again take arms. They're fighting not only to save the world but history itself. Yet, in this complex web of time and conflict, not everybody wants to be saved.
Brimming with the raw combat intensity and high-octane alternate history that fans adored in "Weapons of Choice," this fresh installment revitalizes the groundbreaking Axis of Time series for both returning readers and newcomers
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 18, 2023
396 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
John Birmingham
77 books1,158 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
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 24, 2023
Its baaaaaaaaacccckkkk.
Long awaited (if you're me) re-entry into the Axis of Time, this time with a new world cold war turned hot.
It definitely hit the ground hard and fast, and was a bit more action heavy than prior volumes which is a mixed blessing and probably the biggest fault of the book, IMO. Like I love me a good battle, but some of these dragged on a bit.
One startling part was a fairly long interleaved sequence a character with severe PTSD and suicidal tendencies, which hit hard and unpleasant, but really added a needed note of seriousness to whole matter.
Otherwise, it was delightful to see aged versions of various characters from the first trilogy making their appearances, along with the introduction of a new characters, though many of them were left at loose ends that I'm assuming (hoping) will be fleshed out more in the follow-ons. From a geek standpoint, I love the blend of modern day and 1950s technology that is infused throughout.
Long awaited (if you're me) re-entry into the Axis of Time, this time with a new world cold war turned hot.
It definitely hit the ground hard and fast, and was a bit more action heavy than prior volumes which is a mixed blessing and probably the biggest fault of the book, IMO. Like I love me a good battle, but some of these dragged on a bit.
One startling part was a fairly long interleaved sequence a character with severe PTSD and suicidal tendencies, which hit hard and unpleasant, but really added a needed note of seriousness to whole matter.
Otherwise, it was delightful to see aged versions of various characters from the first trilogy making their appearances, along with the introduction of a new characters, though many of them were left at loose ends that I'm assuming (hoping) will be fleshed out more in the follow-ons. From a geek standpoint, I love the blend of modern day and 1950s technology that is infused throughout.
October 14, 2023
Always exciting...
The action sequences, that is, but sometimes (as with Naples) they often go on and in depth in ways that don't necessarily advance the plot. Ditto, Birmingham doesn't always have the best grasp of his own material. Does the action take place in 1954 (prologue) or 1955 (a few pages later!) Did the Uptimers arrive 13 Year's ago...or less than10? Perhaps next time the publisher will invest in some copy editing so that the pilot will be relieved, rather than "received," that the mid flight refueling was successful. It will all crash along for two more books and then end abruptly without a satisfying conclusion or it will peter out in ex cathedra irrelevance. In the meantime, enjoy the ride.
The action sequences, that is, but sometimes (as with Naples) they often go on and in depth in ways that don't necessarily advance the plot. Ditto, Birmingham doesn't always have the best grasp of his own material. Does the action take place in 1954 (prologue) or 1955 (a few pages later!) Did the Uptimers arrive 13 Year's ago...or less than10? Perhaps next time the publisher will invest in some copy editing so that the pilot will be relieved, rather than "received," that the mid flight refueling was successful. It will all crash along for two more books and then end abruptly without a satisfying conclusion or it will peter out in ex cathedra irrelevance. In the meantime, enjoy the ride.
May 14, 2024
Excellent time travel techno triller!
March 24, 2024
TL;DR: I LOVE John Birmingham. But he needs an American localization editor BADLY.
The Axis of Time is one of my favorite series. It’s a dated beach read, and I’m pretty sure that Steve Jobs stole the idea for the iPad from JB. Seriously, check the patent dates. JB’s flexipads came first by years.
For those not familiar with JB’s oeuvre, he is an Australian author who likes blowing up American society. Weapons of Choice, Dave vs the Monsters, After America, and Zero Day Code are all really fun beach reads where a disaster happens and legitimately ruins American society. And there’s always a boisterously rude Australian somewhere in the mix.
When JB released his Stalin’s Hammer novellas, it was great to come back to the time-traveling adventures of Kolhammer, Julia Duffy, and Colonel Harry Windsor. They were independent author projects, and he released them digitally. Maybe a self publish; I can’t recall. So a lack of polish is easily forgiven
But WW3.1, a full novel, feels like a beta reader’s draft. And perhaps it is, and the physical copy will see the many typos and inconsistencies addressed.
In the third act, we see Prince Harry on his way to a fight in a truck which then turns into a van a few pages later. An American business mogul from the Deep South uses Aussie slang. A series of chapters which focus on a tank commander fails to consistently remember what the tank is called.
JB needs a localization editor here, period, but I’d suggest he brings on an American one. This has been showing up in JB’s more recent work, especially Zero Day Code.
There are culture cues which are often misplaced, especially when he talks about “uptime” stuff. At times, he references things which happened after 2021, canonically when Manning Pope’s wormhole sent everyone back to the 1940s in Weapons of Choice (Axis of Time #1). To an American, or for an American character, these are so out of place that it really diminishes the quality and polish we got in the original AoT novels. More often than not, the characters of WW3.1 appear to be Australian mummers playing at a multinational military force.
Again, I love The Axis of Time and l love John Birmingham’s work. I preorder everything he releases. The story here is fun and it’s a bit too broad, but JB works in trilogies and you technically need to read the Axis of Time books to really enjoy the larger story.
But this needed another pass from JB’s editors, assuming he had one in the first place. It’s distracting.
The Axis of Time is one of my favorite series. It’s a dated beach read, and I’m pretty sure that Steve Jobs stole the idea for the iPad from JB. Seriously, check the patent dates. JB’s flexipads came first by years.
For those not familiar with JB’s oeuvre, he is an Australian author who likes blowing up American society. Weapons of Choice, Dave vs the Monsters, After America, and Zero Day Code are all really fun beach reads where a disaster happens and legitimately ruins American society. And there’s always a boisterously rude Australian somewhere in the mix.
When JB released his Stalin’s Hammer novellas, it was great to come back to the time-traveling adventures of Kolhammer, Julia Duffy, and Colonel Harry Windsor. They were independent author projects, and he released them digitally. Maybe a self publish; I can’t recall. So a lack of polish is easily forgiven
But WW3.1, a full novel, feels like a beta reader’s draft. And perhaps it is, and the physical copy will see the many typos and inconsistencies addressed.
In the third act, we see Prince Harry on his way to a fight in a truck which then turns into a van a few pages later. An American business mogul from the Deep South uses Aussie slang. A series of chapters which focus on a tank commander fails to consistently remember what the tank is called.
JB needs a localization editor here, period, but I’d suggest he brings on an American one. This has been showing up in JB’s more recent work, especially Zero Day Code.
There are culture cues which are often misplaced, especially when he talks about “uptime” stuff. At times, he references things which happened after 2021, canonically when Manning Pope’s wormhole sent everyone back to the 1940s in Weapons of Choice (Axis of Time #1). To an American, or for an American character, these are so out of place that it really diminishes the quality and polish we got in the original AoT novels. More often than not, the characters of WW3.1 appear to be Australian mummers playing at a multinational military force.
Again, I love The Axis of Time and l love John Birmingham’s work. I preorder everything he releases. The story here is fun and it’s a bit too broad, but JB works in trilogies and you technically need to read the Axis of Time books to really enjoy the larger story.
But this needed another pass from JB’s editors, assuming he had one in the first place. It’s distracting.
August 5, 2024
I purchased this book when it first was released. But it had been so long since I first read the book series I decided to go back to book #1 and re-read. Well that took a while since I had other things to do.
This is not a stand alone book. As a minimum I would suggest you read book #1 and #6 (but I consider books #4-#6 really be read as a single adventure).
This does read as a middle book of a trilogy. And like most trilogies the middle story tends to lack completeness since its goal is to act as the bridging tale of a longer storyline.
I am a sucker for high tech and I did very much enjoy the "high frontier" use of Stalin's Hammer. And it keeping with the high tech, the closing sequence use of a hyper sonic weapon left me longing to get to the third part of this trilogy.
Oh, there is also the examination of culture shock as we compare racial prejudices of today to those of the mid twentieth century world. Prejudices that we think we have left behind us, but in reality still linger in our current everyday lives.
I await the closing sequel book of World War 3.1.
Have a GoodReads.
This is not a stand alone book. As a minimum I would suggest you read book #1 and #6 (but I consider books #4-#6 really be read as a single adventure).
This does read as a middle book of a trilogy. And like most trilogies the middle story tends to lack completeness since its goal is to act as the bridging tale of a longer storyline.
I am a sucker for high tech and I did very much enjoy the "high frontier" use of Stalin's Hammer. And it keeping with the high tech, the closing sequence use of a hyper sonic weapon left me longing to get to the third part of this trilogy.
Oh, there is also the examination of culture shock as we compare racial prejudices of today to those of the mid twentieth century world. Prejudices that we think we have left behind us, but in reality still linger in our current everyday lives.
I await the closing sequel book of World War 3.1.
Have a GoodReads.
January 25, 2025
I loved the original Axis of Time trilogy, which felt like Tom Clancy updated for a new age in a completely gonzo, pulpy, pop culture-inflected way. I've been chasing that high with Birmingham's books ever since, never quite getting there. The first Stalin's Hammer novella really turned me off in terms of writing quality, but World War 3.1 represents something of a return to form.
It's not great, but as a fan of the series, I was entertained. This book's setting well after the transition is just inherently not as interesting as the cultural/technological clash and fish-out-of-water elements that made the original books so fun. It's not helped by the fact that there is relatively little screen time for the antagonists compared to the originals, and the Prince Harry storyline falls flat compared to the way it felt cheeky and interesting 15 years ago. I feel like the book really could have used a little more time marinating...it felt like Birmingham found his narrative voice and improved noticeably as the book went along.
It's not great, but as a fan of the series, I was entertained. This book's setting well after the transition is just inherently not as interesting as the cultural/technological clash and fish-out-of-water elements that made the original books so fun. It's not helped by the fact that there is relatively little screen time for the antagonists compared to the originals, and the Prince Harry storyline falls flat compared to the way it felt cheeky and interesting 15 years ago. I feel like the book really could have used a little more time marinating...it felt like Birmingham found his narrative voice and improved noticeably as the book went along.
November 8, 2023
Love the author
But his politics interfere with the sense of immersion. From believing in anthropogenic climate change, to thinking COVID was a super deadly deal with all the evidence of vastly inflated death totals (including adding an independent top ten cause of death, influenza/pneumonia, to COVID "deaths" at the beginning of summer 2020 when the other methods failed to keep deaths at epidemic levels), touting the conspiracy theory about killer viruses waiting in the icecaps, etc.
In fact, the one he missed was the pseudo nuclear winter from the opening war moves and planned countermeasures, but that myth (using models designed by many of the same group of scientists that developed AGW models...) was decisively debunked, at least at the low trigger levels, by Soviet scientists amusingly enough back in the 80s.
Otherwise a great little story with a very interesting plot twist being hinted at.
But his politics interfere with the sense of immersion. From believing in anthropogenic climate change, to thinking COVID was a super deadly deal with all the evidence of vastly inflated death totals (including adding an independent top ten cause of death, influenza/pneumonia, to COVID "deaths" at the beginning of summer 2020 when the other methods failed to keep deaths at epidemic levels), touting the conspiracy theory about killer viruses waiting in the icecaps, etc.
In fact, the one he missed was the pseudo nuclear winter from the opening war moves and planned countermeasures, but that myth (using models designed by many of the same group of scientists that developed AGW models...) was decisively debunked, at least at the low trigger levels, by Soviet scientists amusingly enough back in the 80s.
Otherwise a great little story with a very interesting plot twist being hinted at.
November 26, 2023
Predictable and Typical Good guys vs Bad guys
Too predictable, typical good guys vs bad guys. Not much on the human elements, world view from people of different regions or cultures. Primarily focus on “western” view of the world.
So a group of soldiers from the near future travelled back to the past, what exactly did they do to change the world for the better?
Only more bring forward the time table for advanced weaponry that eventually benefited “who exactly”?
Story have no depth.
Too predictable, typical good guys vs bad guys. Not much on the human elements, world view from people of different regions or cultures. Primarily focus on “western” view of the world.
So a group of soldiers from the near future travelled back to the past, what exactly did they do to change the world for the better?
Only more bring forward the time table for advanced weaponry that eventually benefited “who exactly”?
Story have no depth.
September 27, 2023
At Last!
JB has done a great job of teasing us, feeding us dribs and drabs
of this, the newest AOT book. And I'm grateful for that. But nothing compares to FINALLY getting the whole book. Please don't do that to us again! This new book is great. In almost any other circumstance I'd say "well worth waiting for". But I won't because he should be discouraged from letting this much time pass before we see Book 2! A phenomenal addition to the AOT world, and can't wait for more.
JB has done a great job of teasing us, feeding us dribs and drabs
of this, the newest AOT book. And I'm grateful for that. But nothing compares to FINALLY getting the whole book. Please don't do that to us again! This new book is great. In almost any other circumstance I'd say "well worth waiting for". But I won't because he should be discouraged from letting this much time pass before we see Book 2! A phenomenal addition to the AOT world, and can't wait for more.
October 2, 2023
It's Time, but is it the Axis's Turn? Time Reloaded will Tell!
Prince Harry starts it with a Whimper, and Kolhammer ends it with a Quicky Bang!
Get off your Duffy, and break out your Slim Jim!
If you missed Stalin's Hammer, Break open that Tool Shed and catch up with the Gang.
The Future as they knew it might never be the same, but they are speeding from the Past towards
Que Sera Sera...“What will be, will be.”
Read World War 3.1 and be read for 3.2 through 3.3!
Prince Harry starts it with a Whimper, and Kolhammer ends it with a Quicky Bang!
Get off your Duffy, and break out your Slim Jim!
If you missed Stalin's Hammer, Break open that Tool Shed and catch up with the Gang.
The Future as they knew it might never be the same, but they are speeding from the Past towards
Que Sera Sera...“What will be, will be.”
Read World War 3.1 and be read for 3.2 through 3.3!
October 11, 2023
Great to see the series return. Really can tell that Birmingham has improved his writing/understanding of military fiction in the intervening years. My only real criticism is that the Skarov subplot feels like it is dragging on. Coming off of re-reading all three Stalin's Hammer novellas, this book doesn't feel like it pushes the plot forward enough. Leaving open the possibility that the next two books will alleviate that feeling, though.
July 21, 2024
If I was on stranded on a desert island and there was only one author I could read, I would choose John Birmingham without a doubt. World War 3.1, a continuation of the time axis saga, does not fail to disappoint (as if that was possible). It's an action-packed story, with well written characters that you come to care about from the initial book. I'm quite invested in this amazing story and, as always, look forward to further books by John Birmingham.
September 26, 2023
Bak to old friends.
Well this was an unexpected surprise but pleasant none the less. I haven’t thought about the characters JB created for such a long time and I’m very happy to be reading there further adventures. It started slow and chugged along a little setting up the story but the final few chapters were classic JB. Can’t wait for the next installment. Thank you John.
Well this was an unexpected surprise but pleasant none the less. I haven’t thought about the characters JB created for such a long time and I’m very happy to be reading there further adventures. It started slow and chugged along a little setting up the story but the final few chapters were classic JB. Can’t wait for the next installment. Thank you John.
October 21, 2023
Enjoyed the story
I did feel the author’s bias with the fictional USS Hillary Clinton and too many climate change references. I worry that too many dystopian novels make a hero of incompetent government. This book brings future societal maladies into a kinder time. I stop would recommend the book for storyline and character development.
I did feel the author’s bias with the fictional USS Hillary Clinton and too many climate change references. I worry that too many dystopian novels make a hero of incompetent government. This book brings future societal maladies into a kinder time. I stop would recommend the book for storyline and character development.
November 22, 2023
Let Your Mind Ask...What if...
This is the first book I have read in quite awhile where "Sci-Fi" type stories are concerned... WOW now I want MORE... the whole concept of warriors and society tossed back into history with knowledge of the future and nuggets of how to expedite advancements... Love This... More Please!
This is the first book I have read in quite awhile where "Sci-Fi" type stories are concerned... WOW now I want MORE... the whole concept of warriors and society tossed back into history with knowledge of the future and nuggets of how to expedite advancements... Love This... More Please!
January 15, 2024
Alternate history with a sci-fi twist .
What if modern technologies and people traveled through a wormhole in time to the WW II era ? Would the proliferation of those technologies explode into a conflict between the Soviets and the West ? Book 1 was an enjoyable read . Looking forward to further books in the series .
What if modern technologies and people traveled through a wormhole in time to the WW II era ? Would the proliferation of those technologies explode into a conflict between the Soviets and the West ? Book 1 was an enjoyable read . Looking forward to further books in the series .
October 27, 2023
Even though I read most of the book while John was writing is, reading the final product once more was extremely enjoyable. Already looking forward to 3.2 and 3.3. and whatever John comes up with next :)
Join his Patreon, is all I can say.
Join his Patreon, is all I can say.
November 17, 2023
A New Approach
Very well written, and with none of the standard SF approaches. Dealing with the future is always tricky and can easily look bad but Mr. Birmingham has done an excellent seamless job and I look forward to the next volume.
Very well written, and with none of the standard SF approaches. Dealing with the future is always tricky and can easily look bad but Mr. Birmingham has done an excellent seamless job and I look forward to the next volume.
November 18, 2023
WW3.1
For me, a slow start. Read series a looong time ago. Had to rummage in brain to remember The Who’s and where’s. When did, thoroughly enjoyed this book. Hope JB does a quick follow-up. Suggest read the last book of series before mushing on, although not necessary. Enjoy
For me, a slow start. Read series a looong time ago. Had to rummage in brain to remember The Who’s and where’s. When did, thoroughly enjoyed this book. Hope JB does a quick follow-up. Suggest read the last book of series before mushing on, although not necessary. Enjoy
November 22, 2023
I’ve waited so long for this….
Another excellent addition to one of my favourite alternate history timelines. Thoroughly enjoyed finding out some of the events following the end of the first trilogy and meeting up with some old favourites again.
Another excellent addition to one of my favourite alternate history timelines. Thoroughly enjoyed finding out some of the events following the end of the first trilogy and meeting up with some old favourites again.
December 23, 2023
Another banger from Birmo following on from the World War 2.0 series. Great concept, elegantly executed with a perfect mix of character and plot. I burn through his books so fast, I almost feel like I need to ration myself.
March 31, 2024
its good to be back in time.
I know JB likes a good review so here it is. Once again the clash of two eras is a blast. If you enjoyed the original ww2.1 series then you will enjoy this as well.
I know JB likes a good review so here it is. Once again the clash of two eras is a blast. If you enjoyed the original ww2.1 series then you will enjoy this as well.
May 26, 2024
The 21st century has been transported back in time during the Second World War. The Allie shave won the war but Stalin has also snatched up even more territory than in real time. Brutality ensues and the future is very much up for grabs.
October 27, 2025
waited a long time for this series
Waited a long time for this series. I was enthralled with the original 3 book series and always wondered what the world would have changed into afterwards. Now I can find out.
Waited a long time for this series. I was enthralled with the original 3 book series and always wondered what the world would have changed into afterwards. Now I can find out.
September 20, 2023
Nice edition to the series just 1 question, when the next one.......
September 27, 2023
Awesome
Great follow-up to the Axis of Time series. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. Please bring out the next two books toot sweet!
Great follow-up to the Axis of Time series. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. Please bring out the next two books toot sweet!
October 3, 2023
A long awaited return
It was great fun to jump back into this world after so long. Can't wait until the next in the series drops
It was great fun to jump back into this world after so long. Can't wait until the next in the series drops
October 4, 2023
Excellent sequel
Excellent book. Finished it in less than 24 hours. Can’t wait for the follow-up! Superb job, especially in incorporating current events into the matrix.
Excellent book. Finished it in less than 24 hours. Can’t wait for the follow-up! Superb job, especially in incorporating current events into the matrix.
October 5, 2023
Just as good as ever
JB never disappoints but The Axis of Time 3.1 is probably his best work so far. Got to say that I loved it.
JB never disappoints but The Axis of Time 3.1 is probably his best work so far. Got to say that I loved it.
October 20, 2023
great continuation of the series
This was a great new chapter in this series. Looking forward to the rest of the books. If you liked the first trilogy, you’ll like this book.
This was a great new chapter in this series. Looking forward to the rest of the books. If you liked the first trilogy, you’ll like this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews