Rating: 
Summary: How did he do that?
Review: This is one of the best books I've read in years. Forstchen somehow manages to put some of everything a sci-fi fan would want in a mere 412 pages. Throughout the entire book the action almost never let up. I also liked the great character development. For example, the reader watches Vincent change from an innocent Quaker to a cursing, killing, soldier.
The plot goes something like this. The 35th Maine regiment goes through a time and space warp and ends up on a planet completely alien from our own. On this alien planet, all humans are merely cattle to be eaten by the horrendous monsters that rule them. Since the book would be sort of pointless if the 35th just stood by and let everybody get eaten, they naturally stand up and fight against the superior strength and numbers of the monsters.
If you are looking for a good book to read, and you enjoy science fiction, read this book. Consider that an order.
Rating: 
Summary: Minority View (The Lost Regiment on Gilligan's Island)
Review: Sorry, I guess I don't see what others saw in this book to rate it so highly.It just went on and on, cycling through the same basic story line. I can't even imagine how boring future episodes will be. It was really quite fortunate that there were so many members of the regiment who had such specific and valuable skills. Perhaps future adventures will introduce the farm boy who has dabbled in brain surgery on his cow and now has to do it to the Colonel.
Rating:
Summary: Long Live the Republic!
Review: When they say that this series "reads like a bullet" they are not exagerating. Any author that can get me to zip through five or six hundred pages in two or three days is doing something right. These books are simply the best alternate history series ever written. There are scenes that you remember for years- compared with many books these days that you can't remember after a few months.... The idea of Union Soldiers transplanted to an alien world and taking an oath to carry on Mr. Lincoln's war until entire planet is free still chokes me up. There are scenes like a brigade strength force forced to form a giant square on an open plain and fighting to the last man (while singing the Battle Hymm of the Republic) that you don't forget. Or a Republic airship sweeping down to rescue Hans and his Zulu and Chin comrades from worse than certain death....powerful images. As for the villians,well, the "Moon Feast" is my definition for evil. Oh yes, it is also comforting to think that the real life 35th Maine and 44th New York didn't simply dround like rats, but went on to unite Russians, Romans, Chinese, Zulus, etc. under the flag of the Republic.... My only real criticism is that if you have any experience in industry and engineering then the speed at which the Yankees manage to industrialise a pre-industrial society (and go into mass production) will drive you nuts!
Rating: 
Summary: A Story that is Original
Review: When I first read this series, I was enthralled. The idea of a civil war regiment being lost in the Bermuda Triangle and then coming up on a different world where men are literally cattle for this race of superhuman barbarians and leading the men of that world to achieve freedom was definitely a first, in mine experience. After that, the story has a logical, predictable progression, and the characters are fairly basic, almost too basic, and this story does not have the wide-reaching appeal of other stories in the Science Fiction/Fantasy canons. There are character and place name inconsistencies between the first and second books: a character named Hank who is later named Jack, a place called Orki that is later called Onci, and perhaps a few other examples. These are minor changes, but they nag at the subconcious of the reader leaving an impression that it is not quite right. Still, the story is original, and the historical references are impressive, particularly how Mr. Forstchen includes all the basic details of mid-Nineteenth Century industrialization. I originally would have given this five stars, but after reading Mr. Jordan and Mr. Martin, and after seeing how Mr. McKiernan improved the quality of his writing in the Mithgar novels, I could not give this book that rating. It is basic and overly predictable, and the largest portion of the characters are extremely simple, almost type-cast, and actually could use more character developement.
Overall, it is an enjoyable read, and Mr. Forstchen does have a story to tell.
Rating: 
Summary: Lots of Action and Adventure
Review: Colonel Andrew Keane of the 35th Maine leads his troops into a bizarre world. One moment they are on a Union transport ship traveling to their next Civil War battleground and in the next, they find themselves in a world controlled by medieval Russian Boyars and ancient superstitions. Their only salvation is their skill, their discipline and their "Yankee" know-how. Once Colonel Keane wins the battle over the Russian noblemen, he must face a more hideous enemy, the inhuman Tugars. The evil Tugars which consider human beings as nothing more than cattle and/or pets must wipe Keane and his brave Union soldiers out before they can spread independence and freedom to other human communities. The Tugars must stop the Yankees from disrupting their supply of food and disrupting their way of life. Keane intends to destroy these beings with every technological, military strategy he can muster. In order to do this, Keane converts this medieval backwards society into a mechanized 19th century industrial powerhouse that can manufacture almost anything the Union did during the Civil War. "Rally Cry" by William R. Forstchen is a neat blend of science fiction, fantasy and historical fiction. The main character is so realistic, that I wonder about the parallels between (the fictional) Colonel Andrew Keane another Civil War Union Colonel from Maine, namely Joshua L. Chamberlain. However, this does not take anything away from the book, rather it adds to the realism of the story, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I am an admitted Civil War buff and read everything I can get my hands on. I enjoy characters that are clearly defined and react to situations with responses that are "in character". Colonel Keane is the hero of the story, a brave and honorable man that regrets his battle decisions when they cost the lives of his men. The story has everything a good fiction story requires, good dialog, fast pace story-line and characters that are realistic. Even Forstchen's portrayal of the evil Tugars is apt and well done. The Tugars are a race with their own virtues, military hierarchy, and traditions. Unfortunately, they choose to feast on human flesh, which makes them repugnant. It's always good writing to have antagonist that readers can love to hate. Other than a few misspellings overall "Rally Cry" is a good story and a fun book, I recommend this story to readers that enjoy some science fiction mixed with historical fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Great Read
Review: I really enjoyed this series, which is quite a nice mixture of character building and epic battles. The books are very well written and have excellent amounts of drama and suspense, while maintaining a very believable storyline. Absolutely enjoyable. Bought the whole series on impulse (based on these reviews) a couple months back and have read the first 7 already. Well on to book # 8 :) ...
Rating:
Summary: A Ripping Yarn
Review: It ain't great literature, but it is a really enjoyable read.
Forstchen is good at "staying in character" with the 35th Maine. They speak and act like people from the mid-19th century.
The plot never lags, and individuals are well drawn. My only criticism is that Forstchen creates a really scary race of aliens and then goes too far to make them sympathetic. Hopefully he corrects that error in the following volumes (which I am running out to buy PDQ).
Rating:
Summary: 3 Cheers for the 35th Maine
Review: Imagine the idealism of the civil war transported to a world where humans are not only slaves, but food for a carvnivorous species of aliens and you have the premise of this captivating novel. William Forstchen takes the troops and fervor of the 35th Maine regiment and transports them to a new world where they set out to spread the belief in human freedoms and the American way. Along the way they abolish feudilism and throw off the yoke of man eating aliens who see humans as nothing more than cattle for their dining pleasure. A must read for those fans of alternate history.
Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: Bought the book by chance one day, bought the complete series the next. If you like military adventures or alternate history stories or science fiction adventures (see where I'm going with this) you will love this book. Each chapter smoothly leads you into the next with tales that are gripping. The storyline moves easy enough while it weaves between imaginitive settings, war, blood and guts, drama, love (hawthorn) and surprises. If you like Ian Douglas' series you'll like this one. Buy Rally Cry and you'll be hooked in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book - Yeah!
Review: This is a great book. How else would it make it onto Kwato's select reading list? I really enjoyed this book. I couldnt put it down - it had everything - Civil War, bravery, unbearable tension, absolutely horrible monsters, Buy it Now!
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