Rating: 
Summary: More of the same but still fascinating
Review: "The Great War - Walk in Hell" is the third novel in Harry Turtledove's series about an alternate history following Confederate victory in the American Civil War, and the second describing an alternate World War I in which the USA and CSA are again at war. Like its predecessors "How Few Remain" and "The Great War - American Front", "Walk in Hell" presents a completely fascinating and beleivable exploration of the 50 years after 1862 as they could have been. The political, economic, historical, and social extrapolations are expert and wonderful to behold. At times, when reading these books, I find myself forgetting which world I inhabit. It's Trademark Turtledove at his best. Unfortunately, it's also Trademark Turtledove at its worst. Like many of Turtledove's books, "Walk in Hell" is told by randomly jumping among literally dozens of characters, some of whom are so similar to each other as to be virtually indistinguishable. Few are fleshed out enough to make us care a fig for what happens to them, and each section ends by leaving two or three side stories hanging in the wind. As a result the narrative flow and dramatic power of the novel is weak. Also, since Turtledove appears to dislike the gimmick of having his historic background presented in nice faux encyclopedia articles or pseudo newspaper accounts,the entire background is told through the eyes and lips of his characters. This often results in unrealistic lines like, "Hey Sarge, now that weve destroyed that Rebel machine gun, I've been wondering how come the German navy couldn't break through the British blockade back in August and attack Argentine shipping in the south Atlantic, thereby helping out our Chilean allies..." Oh well, I suppose those of us who eagerly await each of Turtledove's new alternate history novels know he's not Tolstoy. And we don't care. "Walk in Hell" is not for people who demand tight dialog and great narrative storytelling. But for those of us interested in history, as well as intellegent speculation about what easily could have been, "Walk in Hell" and its predecessors are as good as gold. I can't wait for the next one!
Rating:
Summary: Early 1900s America - What could have been
Review: Turtledove does an excellent job as he continues to take us down the path of an alternate North America during World War I. What I find most compelling about this series is that he makes you care for each character, regardless of their side in the war. The worst part is coming to the last ten pages and realizing you have a good six month wait until the next book in the series arrives. Keep them coming Harry!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, although too many characters
Review: The second volume of the WWI saga was outstanding. I enjoyed the way he used real history in creating his fictional world. However, the one drawback to the book was that there were too many characters. It was hard to keep them all seperate. He does kill off one main character, but there are still too many. I am waiting anxiously for the next volume.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must Read
Review: As a student of European and military history, I cannot reccommend this series more. The way he uses real history to create his fictional world is exceptional. I wish the series was a 100 books long.
Rating:
Summary: Can't put it down!
Review: This is a great book. I bought it for a trip and I just haven't been able to put it down since. If you ever thought "what if the CSA did win?" Then you should really enjoy this book. Another great job by Turtledove.
Rating:
Summary: This book was too long!!!!!
Review: Harry Turtledove takes too long to get to the point. That I have to read two more books to get to the end of the war is to much! Otherwise if you like alternative history pick this book up.
Rating:
Summary: Can't wait for the next one!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this second volume and I'm excited and somewhat frustrated at having to wait another year for the third. Still the characters shifting locations provides additonal light on how the war is going on all fronts. I look forward to getting a look at how the South American war is going first hand as Sam Carsten and the USS Dakota are heading there. I hope maybe a character could go into Europe to provide a more in depth look into that war. Also a question: Why did the US flag in the begining have 34 stars before Kentucky returned? I believe it should've been 33. Still a wonderful novel recommended to all history lovers! Go USA!
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing Alternative!
Review: In the second volume of his alternate history of World War I Harry Turtledove continues to intrigue and delight me. As a 15th generation Southerner and descendant of 7 Confederate soldiers, I cannot help but be a little delighted by Turtledove's alternate world with a CSA twice victorious over the USA. But reading these books has helped me to further recognize the positive role the USA has played in the twentieth century of our own world. Turtledove's world is poorer and bloodier than our world. Would I trade worlds and go to live in his? Not a chance, but I'll continue to enjoy reading about his.
Rating: 
Summary: A little drawn out
Review: why are we taking so long to profile the stories of the people in the book? No real direction of where things are headed (or how many more books we will have to buy!) entertaining nevertheless.
Rating:
Summary: Another excellent world created by Turtledove
Review: I have only read the first 6 chapters so far, but clearlt Harry has outdone himself. I am having a hard time putting this book down to sleep. I have no idea how this war will end, but I know that Harry has created a world so amazingly real, its hard to believe its fiction.
|
