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Repulse: Europe at War 2062-2064
This book purports to describe the history of a war yet to be fought. The climactic engagement of this war, Operation Repulse, took place from August 2063 to February 2064, and was the most significant clash of arms on European soil in four hundred years.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2016
53 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Chris James
19 books33 followersChris James is the critically acclaimed author of Repulse: Europe at War 2062–2064, the history of a future war between NATO and the New Persian Caliphate, and a series of companion novels called The Repulse Chronicles. The first six books, Onslaught, Invasion, The Battle for Europe, The Endgame, The Race against Time, and Operation Repulse, have been published. Chris is currently writing the seventh and final novel, The Repulse Chronicles, Book Seven: Aftermath. He has also published the ground-breaking science fiction novels Dystopia Descending and Time Is the Only God.
Chris works in the international legal industry in Central and Eastern Europe, and is an occasional lecturer in English at Warsaw, Prague and Krakow universities. He lives in an agreeably anonymous and nicely forested suburb of Warsaw, Poland, with his Polish wife and their three children, two dogs and four cats.
Chris works in the international legal industry in Central and Eastern Europe, and is an occasional lecturer in English at Warsaw, Prague and Krakow universities. He lives in an agreeably anonymous and nicely forested suburb of Warsaw, Poland, with his Polish wife and their three children, two dogs and four cats.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 17, 2016
A terrifying prediction with amazing world-building!
Having just finished Chris James’s new book, Repulse, I’m amazed at the work that’s gone into it. Although it is in fact a “dry” history of a future war, this is what makes it so convincing. Page by page, every aspect of this future history builds up to take on complete believability, from the political goings-on to the military hardware, to the numerous ordinary civilians and soldiers who are quoted. A few names keep cropping up, which take on the role of “characters”, and I found myself really wanting to know if they survived the war.
The first half of the book is the most frightening because it describes Europe being overrun in a really convincing way. Then, NATO fights back against all the odds and, even though you know how it turns out, you still want to find out the details for yourself.
The twist right at the end of the book - which I’m not going to give away! - really was the cherry on the cake for me, and then after the book itself there are references for all the quotes in it, which just adds to the believability of the whole thing.
This is a really satisfying read which I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to anyone who enjoys scifi and military history - great stuff!
Having just finished Chris James’s new book, Repulse, I’m amazed at the work that’s gone into it. Although it is in fact a “dry” history of a future war, this is what makes it so convincing. Page by page, every aspect of this future history builds up to take on complete believability, from the political goings-on to the military hardware, to the numerous ordinary civilians and soldiers who are quoted. A few names keep cropping up, which take on the role of “characters”, and I found myself really wanting to know if they survived the war.
The first half of the book is the most frightening because it describes Europe being overrun in a really convincing way. Then, NATO fights back against all the odds and, even though you know how it turns out, you still want to find out the details for yourself.
The twist right at the end of the book - which I’m not going to give away! - really was the cherry on the cake for me, and then after the book itself there are references for all the quotes in it, which just adds to the believability of the whole thing.
This is a really satisfying read which I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to anyone who enjoys scifi and military history - great stuff!
September 30, 2016
Repulse: Europe at War 2062-2064 - Chris James Historians, futurists, and sci-fi fans alike should like Chris James's new book, Repulse: Europe at War 2062-2064.
The novel opens with a bit of a sketchy tale about how this manuscript purportedly fell into the author's hands. Then it goes full-out into history mode, recounting -- from a vantage point nearly 80 years into the future -- the details of a European war that hasn't happened to us yet.
James has done a crackerjack job of world-building, imagining a future where technology is far advanced: medical nanobots make short work of battlefield injuries, brain scans of captured soldiers reveal the enemy's plans, and cities destroyed in battle are rebuilt in a matter of months. The bad guys in this world are a secretive Third Caliphate that intends to destroy the Christian infidels in a reverse Crusade. It's up to a scant few military geniuses to develop the tech necessary to beat back the threat.
The tone is dry, as befits a "history," but those who like reading about military strategy and gee-whiz technology should enjoy this book.
The novel opens with a bit of a sketchy tale about how this manuscript purportedly fell into the author's hands. Then it goes full-out into history mode, recounting -- from a vantage point nearly 80 years into the future -- the details of a European war that hasn't happened to us yet.
James has done a crackerjack job of world-building, imagining a future where technology is far advanced: medical nanobots make short work of battlefield injuries, brain scans of captured soldiers reveal the enemy's plans, and cities destroyed in battle are rebuilt in a matter of months. The bad guys in this world are a secretive Third Caliphate that intends to destroy the Christian infidels in a reverse Crusade. It's up to a scant few military geniuses to develop the tech necessary to beat back the threat.
The tone is dry, as befits a "history," but those who like reading about military strategy and gee-whiz technology should enjoy this book.
October 11, 2016
Brilliantly written history of a future war
This is my go-to author when I want something really different and original. I've read most of his books and enjoyed them all. This one is fiction masquerading as fact quite brilliantly, and by the end I really had a tough time believing that James had made it all up. It's beautifully written and tells of potentially horrifying future in the most convincing way. James really does go from strength to strength as an author - this is an outstanding book which convinced me this is what's going to happen in about 50 years.
This is my go-to author when I want something really different and original. I've read most of his books and enjoyed them all. This one is fiction masquerading as fact quite brilliantly, and by the end I really had a tough time believing that James had made it all up. It's beautifully written and tells of potentially horrifying future in the most convincing way. James really does go from strength to strength as an author - this is an outstanding book which convinced me this is what's going to happen in about 50 years.
October 11, 2016
A book that I couldn't put down. The pseudo-history of a war between Europe and a Caliphate is well-researched, well-imagined, and well-written. Within the first five pages I had suspended all disbelief. James' world-building skills and technological imagination are strong. I'm one of those readers who reads all the way to the last page of a book...yes, including bibliographic and note pages, and you'll want to, too, in this book especially. Brilliantly done... now, I have to go find other books by this author.
January 23, 2018
Put simply: this book is original.
Also, this review contains spoilers.
Firstly, I'll start with the fact that if you are very much into military history, this is the fiction dream. There is utterly no point in critiquing story elements that seem somewhat deus ex machina (for example, the halt of Caliphate forces that only leads to their repulse (see what I did there?)) The reason I say that is history has shown us almost carbon copy examples that in fiction would seem like cop-outs but are in actuality how it occurred!
I would like to add something for Chris James however. As someone with vested knowledge of the British Army, there were a few mistakes that I do hope he will take on board when writing more of this genre, as I would certainly be willing to read!
1. [Page 11]. '‘We’d had some intel[ligence] which confirmed my fears further.’' This would not be an issue if it were not a quote from a British Army serviceman. 'Intel' is strictly an American term. Brits use 'int', but if framed the way he is supposed to have been quoted, he would have simply said the whole word.
2. [Page 95]. The RAF do not have Captains, they have Flight Lieutenants.
(furthermore, now this is simply my opinion, said officer is quoted as using language such as 'brung'. An officer in the military would not be likely to speak so colloquially, but thats just my opinion!)
3. [Page 97]. The use of the term 'mess' when referring to where the recruits eat is not correct. It is known as the 'cookhouse' in the British Army. Messes refer to either those for Officers or Warrant Officers and Sergeants.
4. [Page 98, 215, 222]. Now this one might get me in trouble with certain aspects of the Army! Ok, largely (99.9%) most of the British Army do not use 'Sarge', that is strictly American. The only exception would be elements of The RIFLES, who for some reason (and depending on which battalion!) choose to use it. As accounts from soldiers, unless they are Riflemen, they would be unlikely to use the term Sarge.
5. [Page 137]. You used to rank 'Colour Sergeant' for a member of the Royal Engineers. This is incorrect. The infantry have 'Colour Sergeants', any other area of the British Army has 'Staff Sergeants'. The reasoning for this is that 'Colours' were historically carried into battle by what would evolve to be the Infantry. They were the most protected part of any fielded unit. The best sergeants were designated to protect them and thus they retain a unique rank within the British Army. The Royal Engineers would not have Colour Sergeants. (interestingly, the game 'capture the flag' gets its origins from colours in battle, though in a far more benign way with todays kids!).
6. [Page 199]. 'a twenty-seven year old tank company commander'. Armoured Corps Regiments field Squadrons, not Companies. Companies and Squadrons are the same sub-unit, but the former is infantry, the latter Armoured. Equally, as is always the mental case with the Army, they are not called Squadron Commanders, but instead 'Squadron Leaders'.
7. [Page 202]. 'His 1st Polish Battalion now boasted over forty thousand troops' - Now this one is actually not an inaccuracy from the way you phrased the fact that it is clearly massive, given the popularity of the Anglo-Polish communities. What I would say however is that a battalion (fielded to war as a Battle Group) has around (general rough estimates) 1000 men, a Brigade, 5000, a division 12,000 and a corps around 30,000+. General Pakla would have commanded the 1st Polish Corps by that point.
HERE ENDITH THE CRITIQUE!
I appreciate that all of the above could be written off as 'this takes place 40 years from now, stop being boring and enjoy the book', but I thought I'd give my two pennies!
Thanks for a great read, I hope to enjoy more of your work!
Regards
Also, this review contains spoilers.
Firstly, I'll start with the fact that if you are very much into military history, this is the fiction dream. There is utterly no point in critiquing story elements that seem somewhat deus ex machina (for example, the halt of Caliphate forces that only leads to their repulse (see what I did there?)) The reason I say that is history has shown us almost carbon copy examples that in fiction would seem like cop-outs but are in actuality how it occurred!
I would like to add something for Chris James however. As someone with vested knowledge of the British Army, there were a few mistakes that I do hope he will take on board when writing more of this genre, as I would certainly be willing to read!
1. [Page 11]. '‘We’d had some intel[ligence] which confirmed my fears further.’' This would not be an issue if it were not a quote from a British Army serviceman. 'Intel' is strictly an American term. Brits use 'int', but if framed the way he is supposed to have been quoted, he would have simply said the whole word.
2. [Page 95]. The RAF do not have Captains, they have Flight Lieutenants.
(furthermore, now this is simply my opinion, said officer is quoted as using language such as 'brung'. An officer in the military would not be likely to speak so colloquially, but thats just my opinion!)
3. [Page 97]. The use of the term 'mess' when referring to where the recruits eat is not correct. It is known as the 'cookhouse' in the British Army. Messes refer to either those for Officers or Warrant Officers and Sergeants.
4. [Page 98, 215, 222]. Now this one might get me in trouble with certain aspects of the Army! Ok, largely (99.9%) most of the British Army do not use 'Sarge', that is strictly American. The only exception would be elements of The RIFLES, who for some reason (and depending on which battalion!) choose to use it. As accounts from soldiers, unless they are Riflemen, they would be unlikely to use the term Sarge.
5. [Page 137]. You used to rank 'Colour Sergeant' for a member of the Royal Engineers. This is incorrect. The infantry have 'Colour Sergeants', any other area of the British Army has 'Staff Sergeants'. The reasoning for this is that 'Colours' were historically carried into battle by what would evolve to be the Infantry. They were the most protected part of any fielded unit. The best sergeants were designated to protect them and thus they retain a unique rank within the British Army. The Royal Engineers would not have Colour Sergeants. (interestingly, the game 'capture the flag' gets its origins from colours in battle, though in a far more benign way with todays kids!).
6. [Page 199]. 'a twenty-seven year old tank company commander'. Armoured Corps Regiments field Squadrons, not Companies. Companies and Squadrons are the same sub-unit, but the former is infantry, the latter Armoured. Equally, as is always the mental case with the Army, they are not called Squadron Commanders, but instead 'Squadron Leaders'.
7. [Page 202]. 'His 1st Polish Battalion now boasted over forty thousand troops' - Now this one is actually not an inaccuracy from the way you phrased the fact that it is clearly massive, given the popularity of the Anglo-Polish communities. What I would say however is that a battalion (fielded to war as a Battle Group) has around (general rough estimates) 1000 men, a Brigade, 5000, a division 12,000 and a corps around 30,000+. General Pakla would have commanded the 1st Polish Corps by that point.
HERE ENDITH THE CRITIQUE!
I appreciate that all of the above could be written off as 'this takes place 40 years from now, stop being boring and enjoy the book', but I thought I'd give my two pennies!
Thanks for a great read, I hope to enjoy more of your work!
Regards
December 31, 2016
What does the future hold? This is a subject that many have speculated about, but when the matter is considered in a combination of science fiction and war reporting it takes on a whole new complexion. In this book, Chris James reports the 'history' of a conflict in Europe between NATO and the Persian Caliphate which lasted from 2062-2064, told in a narrative style which draws on many contemporary sources. This is a very believable tale, excellently and engagingly told, but losing none of the horror that such a conflict should rightly engender. I would highly recommend this work (as I would the other stuff that Chris has written), though be warned, the language can be a little emotive and near the knuckle sometimes.
January 17, 2018
I enjoyed this foray military SF
It had a sense of both dread and awe. There were some things that stretched my suspension of disbelief, but not so many. The twist regarding authorship really was a bit of a surprise.
It had a sense of both dread and awe. There were some things that stretched my suspension of disbelief, but not so many. The twist regarding authorship really was a bit of a surprise.
July 26, 2017
Interesting to a point only. The notion of a warfare substantially conducted by machines operating with Artificial Intelligence. Beyond that the imagination is disappointingly limited with little else terribly futuristic. Constructed cleverly as a post war historical analysis with citations to other yet to be written histories of the future war. A bit too cliched in places and a weak Alistair Maclean type sub plot (idiosyncratic British colonel attempts to go behind enemy lines to win war/save the world) ....in a world so sophisticated one really can't believe it. Too long for what it delivered.
March 16, 2017
Interesting book for sure
Never read a book like this before. It seems very logical with the geopolitical positions of countries just 45years in the future...
Never read a book like this before. It seems very logical with the geopolitical positions of countries just 45years in the future...
March 31, 2018
Novel novel
Very novel format. Page turner. Great idea's
Thought out scenario with believable stories. Recommended reading for sci fi and futurist buffs.
Very novel format. Page turner. Great idea's
Thought out scenario with believable stories. Recommended reading for sci fi and futurist buffs.
September 11, 2016
Get ready for an intelligent narrative: a literary, military history of the future woven with sci-fi.
Having read several novels by this author, I knew the standard of writing would be high. I was certainly not disappointed! The complexity of action and concept, the well-conceived plot and the literary standard of writing all proved to be highly engaging.
The military history is woven with science fiction in a completely unique way. James has taken current references and events and pulled them forward into history – a history with a distinctly world view. Main events happen on various continents not just North America. The intrigue and consequences are global.
I want to mention that I particularly enjoyed how naturally, matter of factually, women were written in as political leaders. Also very natural and important are the personal moments throughout that give illustration to the human cost of battle. These are not overdone or overwrought. These moments illustrate, as a military history text would, and provide human context for the detailed political analysis.
Truly a captivating, albeit challenging read. I highly recommend it.
Having read several novels by this author, I knew the standard of writing would be high. I was certainly not disappointed! The complexity of action and concept, the well-conceived plot and the literary standard of writing all proved to be highly engaging.
The military history is woven with science fiction in a completely unique way. James has taken current references and events and pulled them forward into history – a history with a distinctly world view. Main events happen on various continents not just North America. The intrigue and consequences are global.
I want to mention that I particularly enjoyed how naturally, matter of factually, women were written in as political leaders. Also very natural and important are the personal moments throughout that give illustration to the human cost of battle. These are not overdone or overwrought. These moments illustrate, as a military history text would, and provide human context for the detailed political analysis.
Truly a captivating, albeit challenging read. I highly recommend it.
May 7, 2017
Interesting, but...
This very wordy Euro-centric tale requires not just the suspension of disbelief, but disbelief's expulsion and subsequent murder. Don't read this expecting realism in characters, politics, facts, military actions or science. With that in mind, its a way to kill an evening.
This very wordy Euro-centric tale requires not just the suspension of disbelief, but disbelief's expulsion and subsequent murder. Don't read this expecting realism in characters, politics, facts, military actions or science. With that in mind, its a way to kill an evening.
March 18, 2021
A seriously good series
I will not go into plot detail as I do not wish to spoil it for other readers. Suffice to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the books in the series. The development of the characters has been very well thought out and they are easy to become involved with, warts and all.
I will not go into plot detail as I do not wish to spoil it for other readers. Suffice to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the books in the series. The development of the characters has been very well thought out and they are easy to become involved with, warts and all.
June 12, 2020
Max Brook world war z den beri bu tarz okuduğum en iyi kitap, dili sade ayrıntısı bol.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews