Alternate Generals

Alternate Generals #1

by Harry Turtledove

Nebula Award-winner Esther Friesner, Hugo Award-winner Harry Turtledove, Elizabeth Moon, David Weber, and other top names in science fiction imagine how history might have been different if its greatest generals had commanded each other's armies. Original.

Genres: Alternate History, Science Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Anthologies, Military Fiction

314 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1998

About the author

Dr Harry Norman Turtledove is an American novelist, who has produced a sizeable number of works in several genres including alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy and science fiction.

Harry Turtledove attended UCLA, where he received a Ph.D. in Byzantine history in 1977.

Turtledove has been dubbed "The Master of Alternate History". Within this genre he is known both for creating original scenarios: such as survival of the Byzantine Empire; an alien invasion in the middle of the World War II; and for giving a fresh and original treatment to themes previously dealt with by other authors, such as the victory of the South in the American Civil War; and of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.

His novels have been credited with bringing alternate history into the mainstream. His style of alternate history has a strong military theme.

Reviews

[H (no longer expecting notifications) Balikov · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like history because it leads you down the path of “what if,” this book of shorter pieces may be for you. Harry Turtledove has made his literary career on the shoulders of alternative history. David Weber and Elizabeth Moon certainly know how to write about military conflict. These pieces focus on periods from over 2000 years ago to the Twentieth century. They are not profound but they are quite adequate for helping the reader gain a sense of what might have been if only a little change happened.

My two favorite stories (Tradition by Moon and Billy Mitchell’s Overt Act by William Sanders) both deal with individuals who “jumped the chain” or found ways around their orders. They may not be the ones that appeal most to you. For instance, one of the reasons that I enjoyed Sanders’ story was his creative use of “source material” that included a made-up memoir from Douglas MacArthur, a creative newspaper column from Will Rogers, and a Senate hearing transcript that features Harry S. Truman.

Put this in the “beach reading” category.

[Balthazar Lawson · Rating 1 out of 5]

When it comes to alternate history there are unlimited possibilities of what could and couldn't happen. So I find it very annoying when Nelson instead of fighting on the side of the British fights on the side of the French. BUT still dies in the battle. This kind of scenario is just frustrating as it kind of says that the time of ones death is pre ordained. This approach to alternate history stories is just a cop out and one thing I hate about the genre.

However, not all the stories in this collection are like that.

The style of writing differed from story to story and when put together I found the book to be rather dull. One would have to be a student of history to grasp what the stories were about in the first place and the significance of the events that take place. I was rather disappointed with the entire book.

[Pruitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book of an alternate-history anthology series edited by Harry Turtledove. Basically a bunch of "What if..." about a number of historical figures, and historical encounters. If you enjoy reading Alternate History style stories like I do, I recommend this one. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series now.

[Andreas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alternate military history anthology. The quality is mixed, and it requires at least a passing knowledge of the incidents the stories are based on in order to extract full appreciation. A passable light read if you’re into military science fiction.

http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=1432

[Gilbert Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I purchased this when it first came out and was quite excited to read it. But, here it is decades later and I'm only writing a comment on it now.

It left no impression on me at all. I don't remember a single story and that isn't a good thing. I no longer have the book so I can't do any cross checking.

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the stories left me cold, there were only a few that I really liked. E.Moon's "Tradition" was probably my favorite.

[Adam Becker · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable short story collection. History buffs should enjoy the twists applied to well known events and historical figures. Quality entertainment!

[Andy Janes · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few good stories, a few less good ones. Still, a nice quick read during a vacation.

[Mike Glaser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a good read. Highly recommended.

[Nicholas Whyte]

http://nhw.livejournal.com/642919.html[return][return]Collection of alternate history pieces with a military theme. Most of these were pretty unmemorable. "And so - Nelson fought for the French! Napoleon joined the church! Custer lived and was elected president!" If the entire story can be summed up in half a sentence I wonder why I bothered reading the rest.[return][return]Three did stand out from the crowd for me. "Billy Mitchell's Overt Act", by William Sanders, and "Vati", by R.M. Meluch, both made the same historical point from opposite directions: they have a brilliant air commander in the second world war whose decisions manage to put his side in a much better tactical position, with, ironically, much worse strategic consequences than in our time-line. An interesting contrast.[return][return]The most fun was Lois Tilton's "The Craft of War". The idea is a little more subtle than most: Sun Tzu, exiled from China, is hired by the Persians and helps them conquer Greece. The story is told as a Socratic dialogue between Socrates himself and Alcibiades, and Tilton succeeds in casting the characteristic style of Sun Tzu in Socratic terms. My one regret was that she didn't do much with the acerbic character of Socrates himself, but this was the one story in the book that left me wishing I knew more about the historical background.

[Charles · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know if I was just in a bad mood when I read this collection or not, but there just wasn't hardly anything here that I cared much for. A lot of the stories seemed too long to me, and way too slow. Some were downright confusing. I liked William Forstchen's story. Lillian Carl's story was decent. I'm reviewing it about a year and a half after I read it and I have almost no memory for any of the stories, however, which means that nothing really stood out for me. Maybe I was just having an off period. Others may like these tales much better than I did.

[Kei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some more engaging than others, as with any short story collection. The last line of the last story is particularly chilling.
Enjoyable. Take into account, of course, my absolute fascination with alternate histories.

[Brentman99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun series of short and longer stories about historical and other figures. Using the imaginations of several authors, I loved how things can vary from story to story - tanks in one, spaceships in another. It was a very enjoyable read.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the stories were good, but a lot of them were very boring. For several, it helps to know your history so you know when the story deviates from fact.

[Gustaf Rantung · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice imagination twist

[Bernardo Salas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic Turtledove. Interesting concept but ultimately incomplete and unsatisfying. After finishing the book, I got the the feeling that it could have been so much more.

[Keith Wright]

Love alternate history and this was a good mix