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The Change - Sydney
Fortune and Glory
Three adventurers bold take on cannibals, pirates and a city of the dead in this ripping tale by best-selling author John Birmingham. Set in S.M. Stirling’s epic storyworld of The Change, ‘Fortune and Glory’ drops readers into the dead heart of post-apocalyptic Sydney.
56 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2017
54 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
John Birmingham
79 books1,170 followersJohn Birmingham grew up in Ipswich, Queensland and was educated at St Edmunds Christian Brother's College in Ipswich and the University of Queensland in Brisbane. His only stint of full time employment was as a researcher at the Defence Department. After this he returned to Queensland to study law but he did not complete his legal studies, choosing instead to pursue a career as a writer. He currently lives in Brisbane.
While a law student he was one of the last people arrested under the state's Anti Street March legislation. Birmingham was convicted of displaying a sheet of paper with the words 'Free Speech' written on it in very small type. The local newspaper carried a photograph of him being frogmarched off to a waiting police paddy wagon.
Birmingham has a degree in international relations.
While a law student he was one of the last people arrested under the state's Anti Street March legislation. Birmingham was convicted of displaying a sheet of paper with the words 'Free Speech' written on it in very small type. The local newspaper carried a photograph of him being frogmarched off to a waiting police paddy wagon.
Birmingham has a degree in international relations.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 8, 2017
A very enjoyable short story set in S.M. Stirling's The Change setting, featuring some of the characters from Birmingham's Disappearance trilogy.
Written with Birmingham's usual breakneck pacing and style, this is a highly enjoyable read. I haven't read any of Stirling's novels, although I have some in my to read pile. This tempts to push them up the pile.
In 57 pages, there's not much character development, which isn't really necessary for those who have read the Disappearance trilogy, but there is action.
Written with Birmingham's usual breakneck pacing and style, this is a highly enjoyable read. I haven't read any of Stirling's novels, although I have some in my to read pile. This tempts to push them up the pile.
In 57 pages, there's not much character development, which isn't really necessary for those who have read the Disappearance trilogy, but there is action.
October 26, 2017
Another sparkling gem in the sea that is the world of the Change.
If you loved JBs characters from his dissappearance trilogy and your are a fan of post apocalyptic world building with an Australian setting then this is your jam.
If you loved JBs characters from his dissappearance trilogy and your are a fan of post apocalyptic world building with an Australian setting then this is your jam.
December 16, 2017
Excellent short
Birmingham writes a nice short set in SM Stirling's world after the change. It can be a standalone but the author says it is timed with Stirling's Sea People. Still a good read.
Birmingham writes a nice short set in SM Stirling's world after the change. It can be a standalone but the author says it is timed with Stirling's Sea People. Still a good read.
December 23, 2017
What the...?
What the hell was that? Not a novel, not a short story. Im into it when it ends. I could give a shat about Sterling, I wanted Birmingham to continue. When you're finished your nap John, get back to work.
What the hell was that? Not a novel, not a short story. Im into it when it ends. I could give a shat about Sterling, I wanted Birmingham to continue. When you're finished your nap John, get back to work.
January 19, 2018
JB loves destroying the world. One way or another.
In this particular tale, he has transplanted some of his survivors from the "Disappearance" series into a similar world created by S.M. Stirling’s epic "The Change".
What do we end up with? Just 57 pages, but an equally high body count.
In this particular tale, he has transplanted some of his survivors from the "Disappearance" series into a similar world created by S.M. Stirling’s epic "The Change".
What do we end up with? Just 57 pages, but an equally high body count.
July 8, 2019
This is a great novella. It is intense and gripping. It could easily have been written by S. M. Stirling himself. As a huge fan of the Emberverse and The Change series, I was delighted to find this addition. Highly recommended.
July 6, 2025
I used to (hate past tense but need it here) love his books. Read Axis of Time 3 times over the course of a decade. Many of his other books excellent. Lately however I feel he’s trying too hard to be cool. This story went over the line in my opinion. Author has to go back to his roots.
November 5, 2017
Great short read
Great short read. Love the Change series and this just adds flavour with characters from another unrelated JB series. Nice.
Great short read. Love the Change series and this just adds flavour with characters from another unrelated JB series. Nice.
November 15, 2017
Too little but good yarn
I noticed too late this was a novella, really a short story, but I enjoyed the adventure and hope for more very soon.
I noticed too late this was a novella, really a short story, but I enjoyed the adventure and hope for more very soon.
February 10, 2018
Fantastic
Another great read, great story, loved the ending. Can’t wait for more of his books to come out. It’s also nice that is based around oz cities.
Another great read, great story, loved the ending. Can’t wait for more of his books to come out. It’s also nice that is based around oz cities.
July 13, 2018
Fun but way too many spelling and grammatical errors in the Kindle edition I read. JB you really needed an editor to go over this.
That said the story itself is fun and I loved the end.
That said the story itself is fun and I loved the end.
February 6, 2019
A fun adventure. Good writing, decent story building & tension, and a wee bit of action. Well worth a read if you are a fan of either author!
May 15, 2021
Definitely by an Aussie!
An interesting, very short, story by an Aussie. Set in Australia, this is probably what would happen in the event that THSHTF.
An interesting, very short, story by an Aussie. Set in Australia, this is probably what would happen in the event that THSHTF.
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January 6, 2023I am a big fan of "The Change Series", this short story fits right in the series. It was a great read.
February 20, 2024
Nice addition the SM Sterling’s Emberverse world
November 27, 2017
Visit a post-apocalyptic Sydney inhabited by feral cannibals in the company of a foul mouthed trio of ninja-skilled modern day pirates. Fun short read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews