Rating: 
Summary: A Canadian's view of The Two Georges.
Review: ...Authors Richard Dreyfuss and Harry Turtledove should be highly commended for this amazingly brave and highly believable depiction of life today in a totally different North America. The authors have confronted many of the myths on which the American ethos is based and profoundly debunked them. This book assumes that Americans had chosen peaceful solutions and loyalty, rather than the violent republican ones they eventually opted for, in order to overcome their difficulties over 200 years ago. The chief "politico" is now the Governor-General, Sir Martin Luther King, and one of the chief villains is a charming but sleazy publisher and "Son of Liberty", John F. Kennedy. The hero is an Irish whiskey-drinking Colonel in the RAMP - the Royal American Mounted Police. North America possesses a society that is slower, safer, more courteous, less technologically advanced, but just as intriguing as, what we now have in reality. For many Canadians, this book will carry with it a sense of deja vu, as they see the traditionally visualized "Canadian" character carried to interesting extremes, with a bit of good American "know how", humour, and forceful characterizations thrown in for good measure. I sense, however, that while most Canadians will see this alternate history as possible or credible (we live in a somewhat modified version of it), many Americans will not. Unfortunately, the North America we now live in is one that did not survive the American Revolution intact. Many Canadians have long recognized that that particular event was a tragic mistake. Nevertheless, this novel posits a credible world - and one that should give hope to all North Americans who individually strive to act with a sense of duty, honesty, loyalty, self-control, basic decency and respect for others; and - who long for the day when society as a whole can do the same. This novel will not appeal to those with a blind belief in a system that publicly espouses some of these high-sounding values, but acts instead to engender corporate and individual greed, violence, self-absorption, selfishness, and a morbid fascination with fast vehicles, drugs, guns and other weapons of mass destruction. Today's Canada is not immune from these destructive values, and though we pride ourselves in being relatively "safe" and "decent", we now have the second highest rate of homicides and domestic violence in the so-called "developed" world. Guess who's first? Highlights of this book include visits to the Queen Charlotte Islands and to Doshoweh - capital of the native Iroquois nation that was created between the Appalachians and the Great Lakes just as King George III had originally intended. These Iroquois are the exact opposite of the few surviving remnants one can find within the U.S. today - they are proud, loyal, well educated, independent, and most important - still living. The main highlight for me was the final set of scenes where the protagonists meet (and are honoured by) their King. These scenes are brilliant in their portrayal of the monarch - His Majesty, Charles III - who possesses many of the same sterling qualities (and name) of Canada's own future head of state. On the negative side, this book could have been more tightly edited to remove much material which is extraneous to the plot, the main theme, or to the character development necessary to sustain the story. One can only hope that the eventual movie/TV depiction of this story retains the major elements, and that Hollywood does not water it down or "banalize" it to make it palatable to the lowest common denominator. My first words described this book as "amazingly brave", and bravery is what the authors must possess if they are to deal with the negative reviews, indifference or hostility of those who will not like what this book implies about why the United States is the type of country it is today.
Rating:
Summary: Word a second read, or a third, or a fourth
Review: I recently reread "The Two Georges" for the third time. A might-have-been tale that many of us from Commonwealth countries wistfully hope could magically be transformed into reality. An America that is non-arrogant; a non-sabre-rattling America at peace with itself, its neighbours and, most importantly, amongst its races. An America without guns and shoot-em-ups. Technologically 50 years behind its current self. Yes, but so what. The peace and tranquility of the America in the book will never really be experienced by Americans; only by the far more fortunate Canadians, for this is really a tale of how Americans would live - if they were lucky enough to be Canadian. Its what America might have been. The character development warrants 5 stars, the story line about 3.5. Overall, about a 4.5.
Rating:
Summary: I really enjoyed it, against my expectations
Review: I note quite a few reviewers seem to find this book "slow" or even "tedious." I suppose that in comparison to most science fiction and fantasy written today (including Turtledove's other books) that is true. I found, on the other hand, that the this same style contributed greatly to my enjoyment of the book - it set the tone of a book from the nineteenth or early twentieth century, which is the technological level presented in the book. The writing style evokes the storytelling of that time and makes the whole thing more cohesive and believable - important in alternative fiction. I was a bit reminded of Randall Garrett's great "Lord Darcy" alternative historical fantasy/mystery stories, which I also highly recommend to anyone who enjoyed this book.
Rating:
Summary: The North American Union , 1996
Review: A was introduced to this book through reading Harry Turtledove and I loved it. It is more down to earth than Turtledove's usual work and I think that is because of Richard Dryfuss. The inventions such as steam-powered cars and Airships that are still in use make sense. And the state of the world with only 5 main country's would make perfect sense considering there would be no american declaration of Independence. But my favorite part of all was the Happy Ending. The Book is excelent and a good read for anybody.
Rating: 
Summary: Interestingly Varied Angle on Turtledove's Usual Tendencies
Review: First, i'll dispose of the review that says that the reviewer dinds it difficult to believe that, given the conditions that obtained in 1775, the Colonies would possibly have stayed (peacefully) in the Empire. Well, duh. However, if one reads this book carefully, one sees that the actual changes in history began quite a few years before 1775... thus, in the world of this book, the conditions that we know of from *our* 1775 didn't exist in 1775. The alternate history aspect, which is pretty much Turtledove's strong suite, is as meticulous as usual ("Worldwar", etc.), but the presence of the collaborator seems apparent as well. There is an air of jokey humour that could, but (for me anyway) doesn't detract from the story. [An example: other reviewers have mentioned the presence of (and assassination of) Richard Nixon as "Tricky/Honest Dick", the used-car magnate in the story; the real punchline of that joke is when we are casually informed that the assassination was the work of a lone gunman firing form a nearby grassy knoll.] I wonder whether that collaborator actually *was* Richard Dreyfuss (and i've just realised that i know someone who could tell me, if he will...), but that's not really important, what's inmportant is that the collaboration gives us a book that like Turtledove's other books in it meticulousness and attention to historical detail, but rather different in both structure and tone. The story is rather basic, which is fine, as it's really a hook to hang the historical exposition on: Famous painting of the title is stolen while on exhibition in the Colonies. Protagonist is local high-ranking cop who sets out to fetch it back. This story is told smoothly and straightforwardly, remaining focussed on the protagonist and not jumping all over the map as the "Worldwar" and "Great War" books have tended to do. But, for me, it's the incidentals that fill in the picture around the edges, as the famous painting is filled around the edges with historical figures including the painter himself -- the incidentals that tell us about this world. The overall pace of life, for instance, is rather more leisurely than ours, and the preferred method of comfortable travel is by dirigible airship... i found it rather amusing that most, if not all, of the airships were named, and mostly bore the names of famous trains in our universe. Cars are steamers (and trains still are) (Though i wonder about the limited number of aeroplanes in use, and, in fact, about the airships themselves -- steam has been found, in our universe, impractical for such applications.) Most of the characters are pretty well stock caricatures, though often a bit more believable than the usual Turtledove character (or that may just be my imagination) with the exception of Colonel Tom Bushell, the protagonist, who is rather more fully drawn than the rest. Hitchcock would have loved the convolutions of the trail Bushell and his adjutant follow and likewise would have loved the potentially-complex possible motives of several of the major characters. All in all, well worth the read.
Rating: 
Summary: Better Than People Say...
Review: I have just recently read this novel and I have to say it was better than a lot of people are saying. Although I am American and love my country, I found this book to be an interesting view of a world that could have been. I am an alternate history fan, somewhat of a mystery fan, and I am also a Harry Turtledove fan; three things that allowed me to read this novel with an open mind and enjoy it. To any American, Canadian, British, or whoever, if you're curious as to what could have happened if there was never an American Revolution, read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting and very well written
Review: I am a very big fan of Alternate Fiction and I found this book to have a very unique and interesting plot. The Master of Alternate History (Turtledove) writes a book that will grab hold of you and not let go until you finish. I also thought how both Turtledove and Dreyfuss described a world run by only 4 powers was fascinating but gave the British a little too much power. The only regret of this book is that it doesn't go into more detail about how this world became formed and how each nation/empire became what it was. I recomend this book to anyone as a very good book to read for alternate history fans as well as mystery fans
Rating:
Summary: A Great Idea and shockingly, a good book.
Review: In my opinion books by Harry Turtledove (and even films by Richard Dreyfuss) can be a so-so affair. But I did like this book. The premise itself, that America could be happily part of the British Empire, without a revolution, is always an interesting one,especially considering how easily it might have been. It is also a brave book, especially in its attempt o debunk some "heroes" of modern America, especially JFK. And American life, especially the idea that blacks are far more equal, with Martin Luther King as the Governor, and many dominating the political classes, and the digs at gun control (with only 5/6 gun murders in what would be LA in one year). The Story line itself was good,a well realised crime thriller, with unexpected twists, and especially liked the detail of the story to, the careful descriptions of the food and travel conditions. However I don't think this book is worth a fifth star, it reads very much like a film, also while the details of the book make it, they also let it down, because in places it drags, and the action moves far too slowly. The love story, does seem a bit false. Also some of leaps he makes, the use of airships, the pace of life and lack of technological advancement seems for the world he creates is a bit lacking, merely to show how different the world would be, rather than being a bit more realistic. But as with all Harry Turtledove's book, it is the characters that make you ignore its faults and keep going through its prolems, and thi is no exception. The two leads are excellant and well fleshed out, and make you want to know what happens to them, also the bad guys in the story are not totally demonised, and in some places you can understand why they do the things they do. This is a good book,and I would buy it, and my advice is: stick with, and don't be put off by its lack of pace.
Rating:
Summary: Collaberating Colonies
Review: When I first started reading this book it went very slowly and I just put it down and started something else. But then I gave it another try and it started to pick up and I really enjoyed it. Part of the book is a mystery novel of where the famous portrait "The Two Georges" is. It takes you all over North America of this timeline looking for it. The other part is a fun romp showing you a North America that is still a loyal part of the British Empire. This isn't the same type of book as Turtledove is usually apt to writing but it's still very enjoyable. I really like how he made a dig at a Royal Family in a small German State by the name of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha about a princess going around naked. No dount meant to be Diana. As anyone who knows about the Royal family of England knows is the original name of the House of Windsor whcih was changed during World War I since it was a German name. I also enjoyed when he made jokes about books written about alternate histories. He was joking about himself and his collegues. I also liked how the books talked about an independent America saving the British Empire from a unified Germany and how funny they found this. One thing about this book made me think that if the United States hadn't broken away from England that most of the Empires at the time would still be intact and very strong. The American Revolution set off so many others in colonies around the world. And without an independent America technology grows so much slower. I think if you are a fan of alternate history or just history you will enjoy this book and how it opens your mind to possibilities pertaining to any point in history changing our world today.
Rating: 
Summary: Far, Far too long!
Review: I consider myself a fan of both the books of Harry Turtledove and the films of Richard Dreyfuss so I was very excited to read their novel, 'The Two Georges.' Unfortunatly, this is not one of Turtledove's better Alternate History stories. The premise presupposes a colonial reconciliation with the Britsh during the American Revolution that allows all of North America to be a British possesion well into the twentith century. The story surrounds the investigation of a stolen painting. The thieves, memebers of the terrorist organization 'Sons of Liberty,' want to spoil the festivites planned for a visit by the King to his North American subjects. While the book does have some interesting ideas- the 'Sons' consider George Washington a traitor for ending the war, technology has progressed at a considerably slowed pace, Abraham Lincoln was the first American Prime Minister of the empire- the story is far too slow and long. There is no clear villain and the plot tends to really bog down at times. Also, there are a few too many leaps of logic that simply wouldn't make sense. If the point of divergence were the American Revolution would a Richard Nixon have been around to sell used cars? Would a Martin Luther King ever have existed to become the North American governor? All in all this is not one of Turtledove's better works which is really a shame with all the potential it has. Nevertheless, if your looking for great alternate history check out Turtledove's 'Guns of the South,' or 'How Few Remain,' or Ward Moore's 'Bring the Jubilee,' all set in the American Civil War.
|
