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ReUNION: What if the Civil War had never happened?
Suppose the American Civil War had never happened.Suppose Lincoln had decided a war to preserve the Union wasn’t worth the massive bloodshed and economic devastation and let the Southern states secede.Suppose that for the 160 years since then, North and South had existed, side by side, as two separate countries..And suppose that now, in 2014, with the South bankrupt and fearing a Mexican invasion, the desperately ill Confederate President feels forced to do the to ask the American President to help him restore the union and reunite the country.Can he win over the American President? And if he does, can they overcome opposition from political foes, extremists, spies, religious leaders, assassins, union bosses, and power-hungry media moguls? Can they persuade their nations to revoke Lincoln’s decision, despite their intense mutual distrust and contempt and truly heal a wound that has been festering for a century and a half? This is the premise of Reunion, a novel of alternate history set in a world similar to and quite different from our own—a world in which Germany won WW I and became a superpower because the US did not come to England’s aid, WW II—and the Holocaust--never happened, the Russian revolution failed and China and Japan still sleep.Reunion, of course, is fiction, but it asks the same question we are now asking of ourselves in real can we find sufficient reason and will to overcome those things that set us against each other and act as one country, with one voice.
- GenresAlternate History
500 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2014
8 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Harvey Ardman
18 books3 followersHarvey Ardman is a journalist and novelist with 50 years of experience, having written 22 books, both fiction and non-fiction, and dozens of documentary films for PBS and other television outlets. His chief interests are 20th century history, politics, scientific development, social change, religion and the Internet. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in journalism from the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. He lives in the state of Maine.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 30, 2017
The book ok but their were many errors though out the book.Misplaced characters
In some cases characters that were the President were at a meeting two
Pages later ,they are just coming into the meeting. Some parts made no sense at all and the wrong character is being addressed. I am not a great seller myself, but whoever proof read the book did a poor job
Lastly, the last few chapters were to long and dull
In some cases characters that were the President were at a meeting two
Pages later ,they are just coming into the meeting. Some parts made no sense at all and the wrong character is being addressed. I am not a great seller myself, but whoever proof read the book did a poor job
Lastly, the last few chapters were to long and dull
August 23, 2021
A fabulous rendition of an alternate history of the confederacy!
This reminds me loosely of “The Man in the High Castle” (an alternate history of WWII), and I believe it to be just as ripe for a series dramatization.
This reminds me loosely of “The Man in the High Castle” (an alternate history of WWII), and I believe it to be just as ripe for a series dramatization.
May 8, 2019
Superb
A great read and a fresh story on alternative American history. Also captivating and intriguing. Surprising and well written. Superb.
A great read and a fresh story on alternative American history. Also captivating and intriguing. Surprising and well written. Superb.
July 9, 2018
I’ve never heard of Ardman but this one came to my notice because I’m a long-time fan of alternate histories. What-if-ing is great intellectual fun -- if you do it right and play by the rules. Ardman has written some twenty books, nearly all of them workmanlike nonfiction, and has produced a number of television documentaries (and lots of commercials, apparently), but this appears to be his first attempt at fiction.
It’s a straight-to-Kindle novel and the premise -- the Point of Departure -- is simple: What if the newly-elected Lincoln in 1861 decided to just let the Southern states go their own way rather than committing the country to a war in which he feared as many as 10,000 (!) men might be killed? Now it’s 150 years later, the Confederacy is running out of steam, the U.S. has morphed into the North American Union by admitting Ontario, and Mexico took back Texas in 2005, though Hurricane Katrina prevented them from capturing New Orleans as well. Things are heading for a three-way crisis and the long-time Good Ol’ Boy CSA president and the newly elected (and Black) NAU president decide to meet in person at a summit -- something which hasn’t happened in more than a century. They both have long shared a dream, too -- the reunification of North and South. But how are they going to convince the people of their respective nations that it’s the best thing to do?
As a novel, the book has problems, mostly in the clichéd characters and the attempts to visually reproduce regional speech patterns. Many of the interpersonal relationships are pretty predictable, though there are a few surprises there. And while the plot never gets out of control, the narrative style tends to wander from relatively sophisticated to rather naïve.
As a construct in alternate history, however -- the sort of thing a group of geeks might come up with over a long weekend -- it’s a pretty interesting set-up. Slavery has finally been eliminated in the South (under pressure from Europe, apparently) but Blacks are very much second-class citizens. The old-line plantation-owners, those who have run the CSA for generations for their own ends, have finally accepted that their time is coming to an end. And Ardman seems to understand the causes and effects of these forces.
However, there are also anomalies that an historian would catch: Since North America stayed out of the Great War, the Kaiser won and Germany is still the wealthiest and most powerful Western nation -- which is one of the motivations for reunion: To make English-speaking North America a serious competitor. But the author refers to NAU President Callaway as “the leader of the free world.” Moreover, there was never a Hitler or a World War II (nor, apparently, a Bolshevik revolution, and nothing about what happened to Britain in 1917), but there is nevertheless a global Internet, despite the fact that ARPA never existed. (Younger people might assume that this would be “inevitable,” but given the much slower pace of technological development, I don’t think I buy it.) There’s even a Google, and a Skype -- and under those names, too, though the author often plays with other products’ brand names. Laptops seem identical to those in our own 21st century, but would computers really have developed so rapidly and so far without the impetus of wartime and Cold War military spending? Again, the author makes cultural assumptions for the purpose of his story without considering all the ramifications. (That’s why good alternate history is so difficult to do.)
Having said all that, it’s not a horrible book. If you like alternate history yarns, you’ll probably enjoy this one. Ardman is at least as good a writer as Turtledove in this field -- though that might not be saying much.
It’s a straight-to-Kindle novel and the premise -- the Point of Departure -- is simple: What if the newly-elected Lincoln in 1861 decided to just let the Southern states go their own way rather than committing the country to a war in which he feared as many as 10,000 (!) men might be killed? Now it’s 150 years later, the Confederacy is running out of steam, the U.S. has morphed into the North American Union by admitting Ontario, and Mexico took back Texas in 2005, though Hurricane Katrina prevented them from capturing New Orleans as well. Things are heading for a three-way crisis and the long-time Good Ol’ Boy CSA president and the newly elected (and Black) NAU president decide to meet in person at a summit -- something which hasn’t happened in more than a century. They both have long shared a dream, too -- the reunification of North and South. But how are they going to convince the people of their respective nations that it’s the best thing to do?
As a novel, the book has problems, mostly in the clichéd characters and the attempts to visually reproduce regional speech patterns. Many of the interpersonal relationships are pretty predictable, though there are a few surprises there. And while the plot never gets out of control, the narrative style tends to wander from relatively sophisticated to rather naïve.
As a construct in alternate history, however -- the sort of thing a group of geeks might come up with over a long weekend -- it’s a pretty interesting set-up. Slavery has finally been eliminated in the South (under pressure from Europe, apparently) but Blacks are very much second-class citizens. The old-line plantation-owners, those who have run the CSA for generations for their own ends, have finally accepted that their time is coming to an end. And Ardman seems to understand the causes and effects of these forces.
However, there are also anomalies that an historian would catch: Since North America stayed out of the Great War, the Kaiser won and Germany is still the wealthiest and most powerful Western nation -- which is one of the motivations for reunion: To make English-speaking North America a serious competitor. But the author refers to NAU President Callaway as “the leader of the free world.” Moreover, there was never a Hitler or a World War II (nor, apparently, a Bolshevik revolution, and nothing about what happened to Britain in 1917), but there is nevertheless a global Internet, despite the fact that ARPA never existed. (Younger people might assume that this would be “inevitable,” but given the much slower pace of technological development, I don’t think I buy it.) There’s even a Google, and a Skype -- and under those names, too, though the author often plays with other products’ brand names. Laptops seem identical to those in our own 21st century, but would computers really have developed so rapidly and so far without the impetus of wartime and Cold War military spending? Again, the author makes cultural assumptions for the purpose of his story without considering all the ramifications. (That’s why good alternate history is so difficult to do.)
Having said all that, it’s not a horrible book. If you like alternate history yarns, you’ll probably enjoy this one. Ardman is at least as good a writer as Turtledove in this field -- though that might not be saying much.
April 4, 2015
I am a sucker for alternate history fiction. Who can resist an answer to the eternal question: "What if "or "If only"? So, I was eager to read yet another book based on the premise: What if the South had won the Civil War or, in this case, an intriguing variation on that them.
Sadly, this is the worst attempt to answer that "what if" question I've ever read. In my opinion, the plot is predictable, the characters are wooden and stereotyped while the dialogue would be unacceptable in a 5th Grade Creative Writing class.
In one book, the author manages to insult Southerners, Catholics, Mexicans, Canadians and anyone who does not share his political views. Obviously, many authors occasionally insert their own political agenda's or perspectives into their story lines. When done skillfully, even readers with differing views can appreciate and enjoy the author's efforts. When done clumsily and crudely, however, even readers who share the same views may be angered when seeing those views portrayed so poorly.
One essential of a good historical fiction is, in my opinion, that it must be believable and plausible. I did not find this book's predictable story line to be either believable or plausible. In the end, I was disappointed by the author's poor execution of what started out so promising. I cannot recommend it to fans of the alternate history genre.
Sadly, this is the worst attempt to answer that "what if" question I've ever read. In my opinion, the plot is predictable, the characters are wooden and stereotyped while the dialogue would be unacceptable in a 5th Grade Creative Writing class.
In one book, the author manages to insult Southerners, Catholics, Mexicans, Canadians and anyone who does not share his political views. Obviously, many authors occasionally insert their own political agenda's or perspectives into their story lines. When done skillfully, even readers with differing views can appreciate and enjoy the author's efforts. When done clumsily and crudely, however, even readers who share the same views may be angered when seeing those views portrayed so poorly.
One essential of a good historical fiction is, in my opinion, that it must be believable and plausible. I did not find this book's predictable story line to be either believable or plausible. In the end, I was disappointed by the author's poor execution of what started out so promising. I cannot recommend it to fans of the alternate history genre.
October 31, 2015
A very interesting concept.
It's 2011 and the CSA and NAU (North American Union) have had an uneasy peace. The CSA is in debt due to the recent cotton crop failures and the rise of man made fabrics. Although slavery is abolished there is still segregation of races. Blacks are not allowed to vote, own businesses, practice law or politics. Plus it cannot defend itself.
Recently the CSA lost Texas to the Mexican Government. El Presidente is looking to expand more of its borders by conquering the CSA
The NAU has recently elected its first Black President. The country is split between Republican held Congress and the Democratic President.
Meanwhile Idaho wants to leave the Union.
Meanwhile the whole North American Continent is different. French speaking Provinences are Canada (Quebec to the East) are Canada while the rest are Canadia. The exception is Ontario who recently petitioned to be in the NAU.
World wide Germany is The Country that polices the world.
Can the CSA survive or will it be conquered or ask to reunify?
Very cool actions. Not military. Very good political intrigue.
Inserting was the last chapter regarding the future of the the nations on the North American Continent.
Recommend it. Very easy read.
It's 2011 and the CSA and NAU (North American Union) have had an uneasy peace. The CSA is in debt due to the recent cotton crop failures and the rise of man made fabrics. Although slavery is abolished there is still segregation of races. Blacks are not allowed to vote, own businesses, practice law or politics. Plus it cannot defend itself.
Recently the CSA lost Texas to the Mexican Government. El Presidente is looking to expand more of its borders by conquering the CSA
The NAU has recently elected its first Black President. The country is split between Republican held Congress and the Democratic President.
Meanwhile Idaho wants to leave the Union.
Meanwhile the whole North American Continent is different. French speaking Provinences are Canada (Quebec to the East) are Canada while the rest are Canadia. The exception is Ontario who recently petitioned to be in the NAU.
World wide Germany is The Country that polices the world.
Can the CSA survive or will it be conquered or ask to reunify?
Very cool actions. Not military. Very good political intrigue.
Inserting was the last chapter regarding the future of the the nations on the North American Continent.
Recommend it. Very easy read.
November 16, 2016
A good concept that was poorly executed. I like alternative history stories. I like stories about the War between the States. How could I go wrong? The author obviously knew nothing about the South, either before the war, of after. The southerners are, without exception worse than stereotypes...they are caricatures.
The Northern characters don't fare much better. Odd ball accents, rampant corruption, and hidden racism are aptly demonstrated.
Actually there was little character development. We are subjected to one offensive scenario and language after another.
Thew entire book is basically a long stream of dialog, with little or no action. Tedious doesn't begin to describe it. Do we really need the details of every single vote in the Senate, complete with facial expressions and musings?
I read another review which stated that the author succeeded in offending just about everybody. I agree with that. Whoever you are, this is offensive.
The Northern characters don't fare much better. Odd ball accents, rampant corruption, and hidden racism are aptly demonstrated.
Actually there was little character development. We are subjected to one offensive scenario and language after another.
Thew entire book is basically a long stream of dialog, with little or no action. Tedious doesn't begin to describe it. Do we really need the details of every single vote in the Senate, complete with facial expressions and musings?
I read another review which stated that the author succeeded in offending just about everybody. I agree with that. Whoever you are, this is offensive.
September 5, 2015
Much better than I expected
I almost didn't pick this up because of some negative reviews and as I started I was almost sorry that I had.
Soon I was able to overlook the stereotypes and accents and decided to follow the story itself, I actually found it a fun and interesting read. I began to like characters I didn't like. I couldn't wait to see what happened.
The roll call vote had me holding my breath. I recently had bypass surgery and felt my pulse rate increasing.
It was a wonderful story and thrilling conclusion. If you like Civil War alternate history, and are not expecting a literary masterpiece it is will worth your time and money.
I almost didn't pick this up because of some negative reviews and as I started I was almost sorry that I had.
Soon I was able to overlook the stereotypes and accents and decided to follow the story itself, I actually found it a fun and interesting read. I began to like characters I didn't like. I couldn't wait to see what happened.
The roll call vote had me holding my breath. I recently had bypass surgery and felt my pulse rate increasing.
It was a wonderful story and thrilling conclusion. If you like Civil War alternate history, and are not expecting a literary masterpiece it is will worth your time and money.
Read
November 25, 2014Great book. The book takes a simple change, build a believable history and then takes the reader thru a ride that is easy to sit back and enjoy. I love the thought the writer took to build his back-story on the characters. Even minor members of Congress get a couple of lines to build to their significant part. I think I wiped a couple of tears away as the story winds up just the way it should, even for this Texan. Although I do have a bone to pick, I don't believe that Texas would go down as easy as the story leads. I will be looking for more books from Ardman.
December 4, 2014
Interesting concept - but I found several of the faux-historical inaccuracies distracting. Particularly the reference to Sherman's March to the Sea, but there were a couple others too.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews