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The Infinity Engine: Missions #1

1776: The Washington Divergence

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What if George Washington was killed before taking office?

The year is 1776. New York is on fire. The British fleet are in the harbor, and Special Agent John Anderson still can’t believe he’s here...
It began when the FBI counter-terrorism system picked up suspicious activity at Mount Vernon. Anderson was assigned to find out why a crazy old man dressed as a British Redcoat was trying to break in and how the same guy could show up five minutes later at the Smithsonian.

The Colonel claims he is trying to change the past and prevent the assassination of General Washington. Anderson assumes he’s just off his meds – until the old man runs into a broom closet and disappears.

Infinity Engines: Missions takes you on a journey into an alternate history, one that might have been if it wasn’t for the work of the Oblivion Order and their mission to save the future, by changing the past.

109 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2018

78 people are currently reading
156 people want to read

About the author

Andrew Hastie

29 books159 followers
Andy was born in 1967, and grew up with a love of science fiction inspired by the TV shows of the late 70s. Having always had a creative eye, he graduated with a BA Honours in Graphic Design, and has gone on to have a successful career as a Creative Director within a number of digital agencies, creating award-winning work for some of the largest global brands. During this time he nurtured his passion for writing sci-fi and secured a commission with the BBC for his first script, The Department of Unknown Origins, a Victorian X-Files set in the Natural History Museum, exec produced by Jon Plowman and considered by BBC Drama and Sky One.

The Anachronist is his first novel, one of a three part series called 'The Infinity Engines.' You can find out more about it on his blog: www.infinityengines.com

He lives in Surrey with his wife, two teenage daughters and a troublesome puppy.

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5 stars
146 (46%)
4 stars
94 (30%)
3 stars
57 (18%)
2 stars
8 (2%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Sarah Peachey.
25 reviews2 followers
October 25, 2018
I don’t know much about the American fight for independence. Being British, it’s not something we teach in schools....
Andrew has a knack for introducing a period in history and giving you just enough information to set the scene, feel like you’re there, but not overly too much to make you think it’s a factual history book.

Another great book in the Infinity Engines series. The Missions will run as separate short stories, alongside the main books and the Origin collection. I cannot wait for more.
Profile Image for Bill Pentland.
204 reviews7 followers
December 10, 2022
Not really a novel (although, I will count it as one), more like a novella. This one is part of a group called Missions by Andrew Hastie. These are adventures within the world he created with The Anachronist, Infinity Engine series. This one deals with George Washington, the American Revolution, and an alternate history. 1776 introduced a new character but it also included some familiar ones, for which I was glad. This is an exciting adventure in the realm of What If? I liked it and really hope Mr. Hastie explores more of these and sets us on many more "Missions".
Profile Image for Yoly.
150 reviews6 followers
May 16, 2019
Love it!

Is nice when you haven't heard anything about a book of author, decided to give it a chance and turn out to be the best decision ever. This short story is well written, is fast a e very enjoyable. You even end up liking the characters and want to know more about then, which is hard to accomplish with a short story. It even make me want to learn about American history. I'm definitely gonna read more from this author 😀
8 reviews
Read
March 21, 2019
Cleverly done and insightful. The list of what-if is long. Interesting twist at the end. I loved it.
129 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2019
I like the style of writing it makes the history interesting. It's an easy read and it pulls you in. Looking forward to the next instalment. Definatly worth reading.
Profile Image for Caroline.
150 reviews6 followers
August 15, 2025
A book about how a main character, I think, gets into travelling through time. It is a story that is created around American history, which I know very little about and yet I found it interesting. I’m guessing if you actually know what happened it will be even more interesting. The writing is excellent and pulls you along quickly. Such an entertaining addition to this universe. I have only listened to the 7th audio book and whilst I had understood the story reading this gave me a better understanding of the world and some of the characters. I am so looking forward to reading more from this author.
Profile Image for Dave.
130 reviews1 follower
October 31, 2024
This starts from a premise that is not today's world and works backwards.
The theme works quite well once you understand that.

It is a novella rather than a novel, but interesting for all that.

I cannot say with all honesty that I understood 100% of it, possibly because this war doesn't rate highly in our history.

There are parts of it that had me drifting off into boredom (hence the 3 rather than 4 stars) but overall I would recommend it as an interesting and different dystopian profile.
Profile Image for Steven Robinson.
106 reviews
August 17, 2025
A very interesting read

I am a fan of alternative history and time travel and this brought the two together very well 😁 also had a nice bit of humour in the story. How would the assassination of George Washington have changed history? I loved the plot line and the characters involved it made the book that more enjoyable, go into it with a open mind if this is your first journey into this genre and enjoy the ride.
213 reviews
March 9, 2025
Time Traveling For A Purpose

Sometimes its possible to prevent a terrible calaminty or is it. Change the past and change the present seems logical. General Washington played a most important role in our nation. A threat to him could change everything. Enjoy the read and find out. I really enjoyed this novel.
Profile Image for Gordon Ralph.
138 reviews
November 12, 2020
Wasnt too bad for a short story, it did seem to "jump" a bit to come to a ending quickly...i would have prefered more explaination and a longer story !...but overall if you enjoy the infinity engine series i am sure youll enjoy this little filler too!
Profile Image for Russ.
303 reviews8 followers
November 15, 2022
A very quick read of about 100 pages. Lots taking place, but not a lot of explanation. Having read about the War of Independence, I was familiar with some of the characters: The Culper Ring, Governor Tryon, Robert Rogers to name a few. A one sitting book.
Profile Image for Colin Parfitt.
Author 1 book4 followers
October 9, 2023
A very nice time travel story, but parts are rushed and it’s not entirely clear whether the Order are trying to fix or break history. But the main character goes along with it any way.

Hopefully the longer books in this series do a bit more on the whys of time travel.
Profile Image for Rosie.
265 reviews2 followers
December 3, 2018
A good book but I found it harder to get excited by it than the others in the series.
318 reviews16 followers
April 25, 2020
A interesting book I love books on time travel.
Profile Image for Xavier Abad.
75 reviews2 followers
September 18, 2021
Great start

Hooked on this series after one book hopefully the rest of the series is just as good, better get to it.
Profile Image for Angela Evans-Hill.
12 reviews1 follower
March 21, 2022
Andrew Hastie has fast become one of my top 5 authors. I've loved every book in the Infinity Engines series.
494 reviews4 followers
July 5, 2023
This is another winner in the Infinity Engines Missions time travel series. This time its agent John Anderson who travels back to prevent the assassination of General Washington.
Profile Image for Debbie McGowan.
Author 88 books200 followers
September 11, 2023
Very much enjoyed this. I'll gladly read as many of these stand-alone (within the context of the series) novellas as the author wants to write.
95 reviews
October 7, 2023
A good quick read

A different kind of story then what I would normally read but good nonetheless .
Looking forward to the next book
9 reviews
February 4, 2024
All of these tales are "5star"
...before I even start reading. I'm completely hooked on the Order and all its characters. We need to make this
Universe, and all its realms, into movies.
Profile Image for Mike.
22 reviews1 follower
May 22, 2024
Quick, short read. Enjoyable for what it is, no significant substance, but I enjoy pretty much anything in the particular time period.
Profile Image for Tina Ambury.
440 reviews2 followers
September 15, 2024
intriguing concept and interesting story. can certainly see myself reading more from the series
Profile Image for Tina Ambury.
440 reviews2 followers
September 19, 2024
This is an intriguing story that begins in a different present than our own.
The characters are believable and the concept a novel one.
Definitely recommend.
Profile Image for John Langley.
147 reviews6 followers
October 11, 2023
Promising.

My knowledge of North American history is sketchy, and since some of the book seems to rely on the reader sharing this knowledge I was a little lost at times. The main premise is good though, (bored FBI analyst gets the means to change history - and has to live with conequences).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kevin Cannon (Monty's Book Reviews).
1,308 reviews24 followers
December 29, 2022
A lively Time Travel, Alternate History short story / novelette that looks at what may have been if George Washington had been killed before taking office.

I love time travel, whether it's a book, film or a TV program so I was naturally drawn to this one. It didn't disappoint.
Profile Image for Tracy.
17 reviews
December 9, 2019
Im really not very good at writing reviews so I will just say this is a great little side adventure involving my favourite character the Colonel. If you enjoyed any of the other books in the series then definately give this a go, loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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