Rating: 
Summary: annoying
Review: After enjoying the first two books in this series
I found this one very annoying. Constant narrative
reminders of character shaping events from
the previous books totally overwhelmed any new
information. I found myself skimming through the
reiterations looking for something new.
I *forced* myself to finish the book, and was annoyed
to realize it was not the end of the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Another Home Run
Review: As I said in my review of "In the Balance", I picked the first book up in April, and have read not only it but all FOUR of its sequals (something like 3,000 pages) in the past two months. That's really saying something too, because I work about 12-16 hours a day. This is another home run. Not a lot else to say if you've already read the first two books, other than that Turtledove keeps his standards high and keeps the story moving beautifully. Also, we begin to see some real development in some of the characters that were slightly more 2-D up to now, and of course, that process will be complete by the end of book four (or at least it will be complete for the characters who don't appear in the next tetralogy). About the only weakness in this book is the rather odd (and forced) appearence of a bunch of VIPs in Couch, MO. There seems to be no reason for them to be there, they don't appear again (except for Goddard), and there's no explanation at all. Turtledove does this to a greater degree in How Few Remain, and that book suffers for it; however, it's just an oddity here, nothing to get worked up about, and it doesn't detract from the story. This whole series is a Turtledove home run, and it's sequal-tetralogy is shaping up to be even better. Buy it now.
Rating:
Summary: Superb - Love this series
Review: Excellent stuff, I love the alternate reality of this series. Excellent writing, keeps your attention. A real page-turner. If you like sci fi and alternate history, read this and his other books.
Rating:
Summary: Alternate history combined Sci-fi at it's best
Review: Harry Turtledove has definitely found the right balance (no pun intended) between Alternate history, Sci-fi, and Military Techno-thrillers. This book (the third in a four part series) Keeps the reader constantly wondering "what's next?". In fact the unpredictability of main characters fates is what makes this story so interesting. Some hard core Sci-fi fans may find the plot and alien gee-whiz gizmos tame compared to other outer space invader novels, but for those who like Tom Clancy and Larry Bond type Military Techno thrillers, this book has action aplenty, and enough different story lines to keep readers from becoming bored. The aliens employ weaponry which seems to be based loosely on today's military technology, making it easier for average people to imagine how the stuff works. The author has also obviously done his homework on the geographical areas mentioned and the life and times of people who lived during the World War II era. The detailed way people, places, and events are described leaves little to the imagination, putting the reader right there with the characters. Overall this reviewer found this to be the best of the three novels so far, although it doesn't really stand on it's own, so the first two books in the series need to be read in order first to really appreciate it. This reader eagerly anticipates the release of the last of this four part series "Worldwar; Striking the Balance". The only negative comments about this series so far is the time between releases as another reader has already mentioned. It's probably a marketing ploy to sell as many hardbacks as possible, then bring out the new book about the same time the last one comes out in paperback. Very clever
Rating: 
Summary: It was ok
Review: Harry Turtledove's idea of an alien invasion caught offguard by the pace of technological change is solid and entertaining. As in the Great War series, he appears to be milking the idea for more than it is worth. His choice of short vignettes to keep the reader abreast of a wide variety of characters works, but after a few volumes seems to become counterproductive, and to make a variety of situations less distinctive. The book works because of Mr. Turtledove's thinking and in spite of his writing. His strong suit is thinking through "what ifs" to solid conclusions. To date, I have found following Mr. Turtledove's "what ifs" worth wading through an undisciplined multiplicity of subplots and endlessly, numbingly similar descriptions of combat. The decisions made on the use of atomic weapons in the book follow an interesting line; however, the vignette style leaves the actual detonations and aftermaths almost dull. Some specific quibbles with this volume: 1. The Lizards use 1990's USA technology. Judging from the descriptions in the book, Mr. Turtledove has visualized the aliens using the U.S. Army TO&E. Their air transport loads the same way as a C5, their tanks are identical, and their artillery counterbattery and submunitions capabilities were taken straight out the the U.S. Artillery field manuals. Perhaps I'm missing some subtle satire on Mr. Turtledove's part (and I concede the possibility), but equipping the Lizards with modern (read Earth) technology makes the book read like a schoolboy's fantasy of going back and rampaging through the Panzers with a good old M1 tank. That's been done before (Nimitz? Pearl Harbor?). This has the effect of taking the one or two efforts Mr. Turtledove has made to make the Lizards come alive in their own right (the implications of different sexual patterns, for example) and makes them seem contrived and tacked on. 2. No self-respecting science fiction author should ever, EVER, describe his characters as being clever because they read science fiction. Such references come across as smug and sycophantic (Hey! I'm reading science fiction! I must be smarter than the average bear, too!). No writer who reaches out from his pages and slaps the reader around with such self-referential nonsense can expect a continuing willing suspension of disbelief. In spite of all that, it's not a bad book. It's just not enough for four books. I read through to the end willingly enough; the basic premise alone was interesting enough to ensure that. The Lizards can't just leave because their women and children are committed to coming along behind; but they can't win, either. That is enough to take this book above the usual all-or-nothing space opera. It's not enough, though, to entice me to finish the series.
Rating:
Summary: Intersting premise, interminable execution
Review: Harry Turtledove's idea of an alien invasion caught offguard by the pace of technological change is solid and entertaining. As in the Great War series, he appears to be milking the idea for more than it is worth. His choice of short vignettes to keep the reader abreast of a wide variety of characters works, but after a few volumes seems to become counterproductive, and to make a variety of situations less distinctive. The book works because of Mr. Turtledove's thinking and in spite of his writing. His strong suit is thinking through "what ifs" to solid conclusions. To date, I have found following Mr. Turtledove's "what ifs" worth wading through an undisciplined multiplicity of subplots and endlessly, numbingly similar descriptions of combat. The decisions made on the use of atomic weapons in the book follow an interesting line; however, the vignette style leaves the actual detonations and aftermaths almost dull. Some specific quibbles with this volume: 1. The Lizards use 1990's USA technology. Judging from the descriptions in the book, Mr. Turtledove has visualized the aliens using the U.S. Army TO&E. Their air transport loads the same way as a C5, their tanks are identical, and their artillery counterbattery and submunitions capabilities were taken straight out the the U.S. Artillery field manuals. Perhaps I'm missing some subtle satire on Mr. Turtledove's part (and I concede the possibility), but equipping the Lizards with modern (read Earth) technology makes the book read like a schoolboy's fantasy of going back and rampaging through the Panzers with a good old M1 tank. That's been done before (Nimitz? Pearl Harbor?). This has the effect of taking the one or two efforts Mr. Turtledove has made to make the Lizards come alive in their own right (the implications of different sexual patterns, for example) and makes them seem contrived and tacked on. 2. No self-respecting science fiction author should ever, EVER, describe his characters as being clever because they read science fiction. Such references come across as smug and sycophantic (Hey! I'm reading science fiction! I must be smarter than the average bear, too!). No writer who reaches out from his pages and slaps the reader around with such self-referential nonsense can expect a continuing willing suspension of disbelief. In spite of all that, it's not a bad book. It's just not enough for four books. I read through to the end willingly enough; the basic premise alone was interesting enough to ensure that. The Lizards can't just leave because their women and children are committed to coming along behind; but they can't win, either. That is enough to take this book above the usual all-or-nothing space opera. It's not enough, though, to entice me to finish the series.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I believe that this book captures humanity's struggle against an alien force very well. The series is long; therefore, "retelling" the story is vital. The retelling does get old, but usually reminds the reader of why the characters behave as they do.
Rating: 
Summary: a fascinating look at an alternate history of World War II
Review: I have read the entire series (all four books) and recommend them highly. (Worldwar: In The Balance, Worldwar: Tilting the Balance, Worldwar: Upsetting the Balance, and Worldwar: Striking the Balance) The background research that Turtledove has done is amazing. I have found all kinds of snippets of information he has woven into his plot. After reading the tetralogy, I have found myself reflecting on Germany's role in WWII, the position of the Jews before, during and after WWII, and the struggle in China. The subplot about nuclear bomb development is my favorite. If you like military history and like alternate history read this book!
Rating:
Summary: It was ok
Review: I love the 'World War' series. The book Upsetting the Balance was a good book but it just seemed that Mr. Turtledove wrote this one too quickly, it could use some polish. The rest of the books in the seies more then make up for any little problems that this book had.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping Reading
Review: I remained enthralled throughout this novel, eager to know what would next transpire. Turtledove maintains commendable control over his characters, and character development, and the character legend at the beginning of the novel is very helpful for keeping everyone straight.
Few people can blend great science fiction and great history like Turtledove. His doctorate in history is evident in surprisingly detailed renditions of life in Nazi Germany, America, the Soviet Union, and Great Britian of the 1960's. And Turtledove shows us a very realistic perspective of how a slow culturally-evolving species like the Lizards might respond when confronted with the change-loving Humans.
It is unfortunate that Turtledove gives such short shrift to the 2/3rds world. It is only mentioned in passing, with most of the focus being on the responses of the first world, in the USSR, Europe, and America, to the lizard invasion. China is a notable exception. This is particularly seen in a bare mention of some non-violent resistance movement in India by a gentleman named Ghandi. In other short stories, Turtledove has expressed his lack of optimism for the success of non-violent movements, and those of Ghandi in particular, where he posits that Ghandi would have failed in response to Nazi invasion of India. This shows a blind spot in Turtledove's thinking, for he seems to be unaware of the tremendous success of proactive pacifist movements throughout history. It would be interesting to see greater exploration of nonviolent action in response to the Lizard invasion of India.
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