Stars & Stripes Forever : A Novel of Alternate History

Rating:
Summary: anti british
Review: This book was fun to read.But portraying the british army as rapists and thugs was out of order.And as for one brit soldier killing one of his own ncos because he tried to stop a rape what crud. The limeys are a funny bunch and the odd case of rape etc would happen in any army of that time.But as an American who has served along side the British Army their discipline now as then is rigid to say the least.

Rating:
Summary: Riveting drama.
Review: I couldn't put the book down. It is my first "what if" book and it left me thinking. I would recommend it to anyone who has studied the Civil War. It lets your imagination flow.

Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing
Review: Although this sounds like a fascinating book, it is spoiled by a lifeless execution. Much of it reads like a dry and dusty history textbook, and only rarely do the historic personages "come to life" on the page. The saddest thing is that, now that Harrison's botched it, nobody else can do this idea the way it ought to have been done, because such an work would look like a rip-off.

Rating:
Summary: Not great probably but pretty good
Review: I like to read alternate history stories. Some of my favorites are S. M. Sterling and Harry Turtledove. And I liked this one pretty much too. I will want to see how the war between the United States and England comes out and will read the rest of the series.

Rating:
Summary: Definitely NOT vintage Harrison
Review: I have read and enjoyed most Harry Harrison books, but this one came to me so full of grammatical errors and horrid misspellings that I must conclude that the day of the proofreader is done. There is too much philosophizing and a rather overdone glorification of William Tecumseh Sherman, as well as more than enough of Grant's drinking problem. How could Sherman have commanded the respect of Lee (who was not at the time of the story, however historically distorted, "Commander in Chief of the Confederate Army")? Lee was Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia in 1861, 62, 63. It is easy to believe that we beat the British in less than a year after the "Battle of Biloxi," but distortions of history are little use unless preceded by true history. Irishness must be catching!

Rating:
Summary: Relatively mediocre for this author
Review: I agree with Ken from Louisville; this book starts off with an interesting and tinglingly plausible premise (which he proceeds to spindle and mutilate in his treatment of it), and basically goes downhill from there. A good half of the work is essentially wasted in an overly-long buildup to the "turning point." Therafter, the plot is at best thin. Harrison also threw in a few errata (the Spencer repeating rifle does NOT, as stated, hold 20 rounds, and a 400-pounder Parrot naval gun never existed)and at times either exaggerates or minimizes the importance of various factors. Some events are so outlandishly unlikely as to spoil the genius behind them. The conclusion was extremely rocky, as if he was desperate to bring the book to a conclusion while simultaneously leaving it open for a sequel. I was honestly disappointed in this book, because I truly enjoyed many of this author's other works. All in all, I'd say read it if you have the time, but don't get your hopes up.

Rating:
Summary: It was written as if it was real
Review: I thought the book was great, an alternate ending to what was America's most decisive chapter. What I liked was how the combined strength of the two armies proved what odds they could accomplish together and not apart. America's invasion of Canada, was also great, with the Rebels showing why they were a force to be reckoned with. Imagine if this had really happened. No Gettysburg No Andersonville, a peaceful end to slavery. And worst of all. Lincoln not getting assassinated.

Rating:
Summary: Not Very Good At All
Review: This book started off with a great premise of what would happen if a small event such as Prince Albert not being able to tone down the British ultimatum to the Lincoln government over the Trent Affair resulted in Britain declaring war on the U.S. However, a great premise does not necessarily a great book make. The historical characters all seemed quite wooden, and many did things completely out of character. The British are made out to be completely incompetent (the same British who were lords over a fifth of the Earth, by the way). Also dissappointing was the way the book went completely beyond belief. One example is the ease of how the North and South forgets the bloodshed of 1861 and 1862 to unite against Britain. If you want an excellent book about alternate civil war history, read "Guns of the South", "How Few Remain", or "Gray Victory". These are much better than this sub-standard work by Harry Harrison. Harrison would be well advised to stick to fantasy and leave the realm of alternate history to the master, Harry Turtledove.

Rating:
Summary: Horrendous
Review: I can believe the premise of England becoming involved in the ACW over the Trent affair. I can even believe the Uion Armies being able to defeat the Engish because they are battle tested and adapting to the new tactic while the British have not. What I can't believe is the mistaken attack on Biloxi MS and and the simplistic answer to the slavery question. To me it shows a complete lack in understnding the whole issue by the author. The next problem I have with the book is the dialoge. It is atrocious. Nobody uses any kinds of contractions and very little slang. The typos are horrible. At one point a common soilder to lamenting on all his friends killed and he thinks about "all his Butties" I am just glad I got this book from the library and didn't have to pay for it. However, I will probably read the next 2 books to see if they get any better.

Rating:
Summary: Good in places, but very forced
Review: While the premise and beginning of this book are very plausible it soon breaks down. The author appears determined to create a situation where the CSA & USA will combine against Britain regardless of how silly the action required to do this. I am also struck by the very uncharacteristic behavior of Grant in this book. One of the most fluid generals ever is portrayed fighting incompetants in the same way he was forced to fight Lee.