Rating: 
Summary: An excellent blend of historical cultures in crisis
Review: An excellent read, much different than the mainstream fiction out there. Drake is one of the few people who can make an ancient culture come to life and hold your attention. The crystal concept is the weakest link in the entire novel, but does not detract in any way from the complex character development. The intregration of the Axumites and Andhra into the plot provides an excellent perspective shift of warring cultures and the common kinship between warriors reguardless of race, ethics or religion.
Rating:
Summary: A Divergence in Time
Review: An Oblique Approach is the first novel in the Belisarius series. Byzantium was the Empire of Rome in the East, ruled at this time by Emperor Justinian. A former Thracian peasant, Justinian had selected a minor Thracian noble, Belisarius, to be his bodyguard and then later to head the army facing their Medean foe. While Belisarius was not the Emperor's friend (for Justinian had no friends), they respected each other and Belisarius' wife Antonia was a close friend of the Empress Theodora.When Belisarius was traveling to assume command the army at Daras, the monk Michael of Macedonia and Anthony Cassian, the local bishop, came to his new house in Aleppo, bringing a strange object found by Michael within his cave in the desert. A faceted crystal that seemed to form and reform, they said that it had brought visions to their minds when they held it and they urged Belisarius to take it into his own hands. When it was passed to him, the crystal flared into light and flooded his mind with visions. The crystal could induce visions and feelings, but was mostly unable to communicate directly. The visions showed a future in which the Malwa empire of northern India conquered all the known world and induced feelings of dread and despair. But all who held the crystal also felt certain that the future shown and felt was not necessarily the only possible future. The crystal had come to enlist Belisarius himself in an effort to preclude this bitter future in favor of one more consistent with their own desires and inclinations. While the exhausted crystal quietly regained its strength, the human party formed a conspiracy to counter the evil plans of the Malwa. Deciding to keep the secret among themselves for a time, they arranged for a location to build a secret arsenal and weapons project on property controlled by Anthony. They also agreed that Anthony would arrange for the services of John of Rhodes, a clever ex-naval officer, as the head of the project. Belisarius had to leave the conspiracy in the others' hands while he assumed command of the army in Daras. The prior commander, Libelarius, had left his army understrength and riddled with corruption, so weeding out the rot was Belisarius' first task. Then he had to rebuild his command structure and replace those struck from the roles. Belsarius was charged with building a fort near the border as a deliberate provocation of the Persians, but Belisarius needed to conclude the campaign quickly in order to get back to the conspiracy. Once the fort was finished, he arranged for the Army of Lebanon under its two generals, Bouzes and Coutzes, to join with him against the Persians. Then he baited Bouzes and Coutzes with news of a Persian army pay chest and sent the Persian commander a nasty note. Thereafter, he waited for the afternoon wind to blow from the west. This story depicts an intervention from the future followed by a counter-intervention from the same era. The intervention itself is not described in this volume, but the crystal represents the counterforce. The first portion of the story consists mainly of clearing the decks to allow the conspirators to investigate the real enemy, which could only be done in India by Belisarius himself. Belisarius does have one large advantage in that his bucellarii, his personal guard, are past masters of covert operations. He doesn't have to hire or acquire specialists, but only has to say who will be left behind. He gains another asset in Irene Macrembolitissa, spymaster for his friend, and fellow general, Sittas. A reviewer complains that this is a rehash of the General series, but does not seem to understand that that series was loosely based on the historical actions of the real live Belisarius. Another reviewer frets that Belisarius is too perfect, yet fails to note the respect given to the actual general by military historians. Belisarius was only a man, but clearly an unusual man in many respects and nothing in this novel up to the initial visit by Michael and Anthony is inconsistent with known historical facts. Still another reviewer accused the authors of poor characterization, citing the similar sense of humor among all the military personnel. Interesting enough, that observation is not new, having been made by many others down through the centuries. Professional military men (and women, for that matter) have an ironical and sometimes morbid sense of humor, maybe due to their close association with death and dying. Drake has first-hand knowledge of that sense of humor! This story sets the stage for the series and tells of the initial efforts of the conspirators. It contains enough battles, raids, and assorted mayhem for any two other books. And it is just getting started. Highly recommended for Drake & Flint fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of alternate wars and political intrigue.
Rating:
Summary: A Divergence in Time
Review: An Oblique Approach is the first novel in the Belisarius series. Byzantium was the Empire of Rome in the East, ruled at this time by Emperor Justinian. A former Thracian peasant, Justinian had selected a minor Thracian noble, Belisarius, to be his bodyguard and then later to head the army facing their Medean foe. While Belisarius was not the Emperor's friend (for Justinian had no friends), they respected each other and Belisarius' wife Antonia was a close friend of the Empress Theodora. When Belisarius was traveling to assume command the army at Daras, the monk Michael of Macedonia and Anthony Cassian, the local bishop, came to his new house in Aleppo, bringing a strange object found by Michael within his cave in the desert. A faceted crystal that seemed to form and reform, they said that it had brought visions to their minds when they held it and they urged Belisarius to take it into his own hands. When it was passed to him, the crystal flared into light and flooded his mind with visions. The crystal could induce visions and feelings, but was mostly unable to communicate directly. The visions showed a future in which the Malwa empire of northern India conquered all the known world and induced feelings of dread and despair. But all who held the crystal also felt certain that the future shown and felt was not necessarily the only possible future. The crystal had come to enlist Belisarius himself in an effort to preclude this bitter future in favor of one more consistent with their own desires and inclinations. While the exhausted crystal quietly regained its strength, the human party formed a conspiracy to counter the evil plans of the Malwa. Deciding to keep the secret among themselves for a time, they arranged for a location to build a secret arsenal and weapons project on property controlled by Anthony. They also agreed that Anthony would arrange for the services of John of Rhodes, a clever ex-naval officer, as the head of the project. Belisarius had to leave the conspiracy in the others' hands while he assumed command of the army in Daras. The prior commander, Libelarius, had left his army understrength and riddled with corruption, so weeding out the rot was Belisarius' first task. Then he had to rebuild his command structure and replace those struck from the roles. Belsarius was charged with building a fort near the border as a deliberate provocation of the Persians, but Belisarius needed to conclude the campaign quickly in order to get back to the conspiracy. Once the fort was finished, he arranged for the Army of Lebanon under its two generals, Bouzes and Coutzes, to join with him against the Persians. Then he baited Bouzes and Coutzes with news of a Persian army pay chest and sent the Persian commander a nasty note. Thereafter, he waited for the afternoon wind to blow from the west. This story depicts an intervention from the future followed by a counter-intervention from the same era. The intervention itself is not described in this volume, but the crystal represents the counterforce. The first portion of the story consists mainly of clearing the decks to allow the conspirators to investigate the real enemy, which could only be done in India by Belisarius himself. Belisarius does have one large advantage in that his bucellarii, his personal guard, are past masters of covert operations. He doesn't have to hire or acquire specialists, but only has to say who will be left behind. He gains another asset in Irene Macrembolitissa, spymaster for his friend, and fellow general, Sittas. A reviewer complains that this is a rehash of the General series, but does not seem to understand that that series was loosely based on the historical actions of the real live Belisarius. Another reviewer frets that Belisarius is too perfect, yet fails to note the respect given to the actual general by military historians. Belisarius was only a man, but clearly an unusual man in many respects and nothing in this novel up to the initial visit by Michael and Anthony is inconsistent with known historical facts. Still another reviewer accused the authors of poor characterization, citing the similar sense of humor among all the military personnel. Interesting enough, that observation is not new, having been made by many others down through the centuries. Professional military men (and women, for that matter) have an ironical and sometimes morbid sense of humor, maybe due to their close association with death and dying. Drake has first-hand knowledge of that sense of humor! This story sets the stage for the series and tells of the initial efforts of the conspirators. It contains enough battles, raids, and assorted mayhem for any two other books. And it is just getting started. Highly recommended for Drake & Flint fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of alternate wars and political intrigue.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Oblique Approach
Review: As a HUGE fan of David Drake, I eagerly anticipated reading this novel. Unfortunately, I was left sadly disappointed. While there were moments of brilliance, I felt the battle scenes stagnant, the characters one dimensional, and the plot irritating and ponderous. It seemed to be a fluffy version of the General series set during the Roman era. The writing style was so mundane that those expecting a David Drake military experience should not waste their money. His name might be on the cover, but the book was definitely not his.
Rating:
Summary: A winner
Review: Being a new fan of alternate history I came across eric flint's 1632 and loved it. When I went looking for more, An Oblique Approach seemed to fit the bill and I was not dissapointed. Fast paced and tightly written it kept me turning pages far into the night. Belisarius and his schemes, his men and women all combined to make a rich tapestry that tantilized and delighted me. (And the mutterings made me laugh out loud). If you are looking for a well written, intriguing and yet historical novel this is it.
Rating:
Summary: A winner
Review: Being a new fan of alternate history I came across eric flint's 1632 and loved it. When I went looking for more, An Oblique Approach seemed to fit the bill and I was not dissapointed. Fast paced and tightly written it kept me turning pages far into the night. Belisarius and his schemes, his men and women all combined to make a rich tapestry that tantilized and delighted me. (And the mutterings made me laugh out loud). If you are looking for a well written, intriguing and yet historical novel this is it.
Rating: 
Summary: good and weird; but MUST HAVE for mil sci fi fans
Review: Care to romp through Byzantine history? Think Darth Vader is a wuss, and prefer your evil on steroids? Do you enjoy coarse humor and useful coincidences? Do you agree that horses are not built by Yamaha and that medieval combat is not something you can crib from the nearest Dungeons and Dragons gaming book? You'll love this book. The combination of Drake and Flint is jarring; vicious firefights and sardonic humor? I'm not sure if I like it; guess I'll have to read it again. (smile) There's little closure to the novel, and the outcome is far too obvious. Sequelae, anyone?
Rating:
Summary: First of a great series !
Review: Great, great, great book. I especially enjoy a great series since I sometimes read 2 to 3 books a week. Very engaging, the characters are real and well developed, the plot is very interesting. I generally do not go in for alternate history but this one draws me in for some reason.
Rating:
Summary: First of a great series !
Review: Great, great, great book. I especially enjoy a great series since I sometimes read 2 to 3 books a week. Very engaging, the characters are real and well developed, the plot is very interesting. I generally do not go in for alternate history but this one draws me in for some reason.
Rating:
Summary: No deep philosophy here, but it's worth a read.
Review: I can easily imagine how this series got started: a couple of guys musing, "I wonder what would have happened if an ancient general had access to modern weaponry and tactics..." The result is an engaging look at an alternate reality where Belisarius, a real-life general of antiquity, is contacted by a sentient "jewel" from the future. It shows him a horrific future in which the Indian Malwa dynasty conquers the world for the forces of darkness, and he immediately enlists to stop them. He is given knowledge about gunpowder and modern weapons, and he sets about gathering allies for the war that only he can see coming. The action is almost nonstop as Belisarius journeys to India with new allies to learn about his enemy and help the oppressed Indians begin a revolution from within. Detractors will point out that Drake has done this before with S.M. Stirling, and that is true, up to a point. One major difference, though, is the fact that the sentient gem in this series is not all-powerful from the start; it grows and learns throughout the book, gradually becoming more self-aware and developing a personality. Another aspect that makes this book stand out is the cast of characters. Many of them are familiar from history lessons, and all are individual and interesting. The interplay between strong characters keeps the book from becoming just a dry series of battles and strategies. To sum up, this book has all the fighting action to satisfy a fan of military SF, combined with an intriguing premise. It is skillfully written, and I am eagerly awaiting future installments of the series.
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