Rating: 
Summary: Truly cool concept, delivery almost there
Review: ... Author Dennis Danvers does fine job describing how a man who truly believes in the power of the people over the power of the state would live and how he would decide amongst the alternatives available to him, while at the same time making Kroptkin human, with human desires and flaws. The brief quotes from the historical Kroptkin's work add depth to the novel as well as framing the decisions the fictional Kroptkin must face. THE WATCH is an enjoyable novel but it suffers from a protagonist who has no clear goals. While he seeks the utopian revolution that will overthrow the state and allow humans to live in harmony with one another and with nature, Kroptkin doesn't seem to really do much to bring this about (unless he believes that simply living that lifestyle will catch on). Without clear objectives for Kroptkin to work toward and for the reader to identify with, THE WATCH distances Kroptkin from the reader, reducing the emotional impact and reducing the reader's identification with Danvers' political message as well. This limitation notwithstanding, I enjoyed THE WATCH and am intrigued by the historical Kroptkin.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice set up sputters out with nary a spark
Review: Danvers builds a steadily credible narrative by staying with his characters and slowly building suspense yet throws in the towel at the novel's climax and loses his way completely in the last fifty pages. "The Watch" begins as Peter Kropotkin, real life Russian anarchist, is revived on his deathbed by a mysterious man who calls himself Anchee. Anchee sends Kropotkin, complete with a new 30 year-old body, to Richmond, Virginia 1999. The novel follows Kropotkin as he interacts with Richmond life and slowly contacts several people who will play pivotal roles in an alternate American future. For the most part, the novel succeeds in its characterizations and in persuading the reader to suspend disbelief. We come to believe this new Kropotkin and are thoroughly convinced by telling background details that we are seeing this story through his eyes. In this he rivals Farmer's portrait of Richard Francis Burton in his "Riverworld" series. There is also plenty of Richmond history as connected with the Civil War and General Robert E. Lee. Well done, Mr. Danvers. The problems begin when we discover that the watch of the title is a device for bringing the bearer back in time (any time other than the future and the era in which the bearer has lived). Right away a rent is torn in the fiction as any sane living person would use the watch immediately and tour recorded history. Kropotkin however, thinks it's a hoot and returns it to his pocket. Yeah, sure. When the climax of the novel arrives and events quickly overtake Kropotkin, Danvers bobbles and eventually drops the ball. The closing events in the story have little import, as Kropotkin's new political life is given such short attention. And it is here, finally, where Danvers wants us to believe in too many "SF" tropes at one time, all of which are made possible by the watch. All of which are used to cover up the fact that the author simply ran out of ideas. Also, the Anchee character is given unexplained godlike abilities and becomes the explanation for every plot hole or twist. "The Watch" looks good on the jacket blurb and for the first few hundred pages, give the reader the impression that it might deliver on its promises. Don't be fooled.
Rating:
Summary: A Dream Deferred...
Review: I happened to be reading this book as I traveled to the SC coast on vacation. I was intrigued as I passed through Richmond, VA, the location of this novel. As I Black woman I do not often have the opportunity to talk with Southern Whites about their attitudes toward the Civil War and the traitors they still revere as heroes. On the few occasions that I have had that conversation it seemed so strange to me that they have such passion about a war that happened generations before they were born. And it is not just Richmond, remember my destination was SC via NC. Reading this book told me that I was not alone in thinking the South of 2002 is still confused about who won the Civil War and why. I really wanted those who romanticize the Ante-Bellum South to come face-to-face with the reality of its Peculiar Institution and economic structure. All through the book I was getting ready for the confrontation that I was ultimately denied. Danvers provided the best of science fiction; the re-examination of our history from a future perspective, with the possibility of an alternate--a better--ending. I was challenged to think of what that alternate ending could be since Danvers denied me the pleasure of providing one. This book is rich, textured with characters that are deep and complex. The reader may need a notecard to keep from getting lost, but it is well worth the effort to make it through the wordiness. No sex or violence. Best if you are a history buff or student of Americana.
Rating:
Summary: A Dream Deffered...
Review: I happened to be reading this book as I traveled to the SC coast on vacation. I was intrigued as I passed through Richmond, VA, the location of this novel. As I Black woman I do not often have the opportunity to talk with Southern Whites about their attitudes toward the Civil War and the traitors they still revere as heroes. On the few occasions that I have had that conversation it seemed so strange to me that they have such passion about a war that happened generations before they were born. And it is not just Richmond, remember my destination was SC via NC. Reading this book told me that I was not alone in thinking the South of 2002 is still confused about who won the Civil War and why. I really wanted those who romanticize the Ante-Bellum South to come face-to-face with the reality of its Peculiar Institution and economic structure. All through the book I was getting ready for the confrontation that I was ultimately denied. Danvers provided the best of science fiction; the re-examination of our history from a future perspective, with the possibility of an alternate--a better--ending. I was challenged to think of what that alternate ending could be since Danvers denied me the pleasure of providing one. This book is rich, textured with characters that are deep and complex. The reader may need a notecard to keep from getting lost, but it is well worth the effort to make it through the wordiness. No sex or violence. Best if you are a history buff or student of Americana.
Rating: 
Summary: Philosophical with sci fi packaging
Review: I haven't read any other books by this author, but I really enjoyed The Watch. This book has love, compassion, and politics. I recomend this book to anyone who likes science fiction. It is very easy to read and has a deep meaning. It defenantly made me examine the way I live my life. It made me think of how the past has affected me and how I will affect the future.
Rating:
Summary: Two Thumbs Up!!!
Review: I haven't read any other books by this author, but I really enjoyed The Watch. This book has love, compassion, and politics. I recomend this book to anyone who likes science fiction. It is very easy to read and has a deep meaning. It defenantly made me examine the way I live my life. It made me think of how the past has affected me and how I will affect the future.
Rating:
Summary: Fun and thought provoking
Review: I really enjoyed The Watch, although to be honest, I do not read much science fiction, so don't have much in the genre to compare it with. On the flip side, I think that this book will have much appeal to non-sci fi fans. Peter Kropotkin, a Russian anarchist who died in the early 20th century is offered the chance, on his deathbed, to be reborn, as a 30ish man, in 1999. Kropotkin is a bright man and an utterly charming narrator. His story is interesting and engaging and fairly plausible. My only complaint is that the ending is not as strong as the rest of the novel, almost as if Danvers didn't really know quite how to end the novel. Still, this is an excellent, fun read.
Rating:
Summary: Fun Time Travel Romp
Review: I really enjoyed The Watch, although to be honest, I do not read much science fiction, so don't have much in the genre to compare it with. On the flip side, I think that this book will have much appeal to non-sci fi fans. Peter Kropotkin, a Russian anarchist who died in the early 20th century is offered the chance, on his deathbed, to be reborn, as a 30ish man, in 1999. Kropotkin is a bright man and an utterly charming narrator. His story is interesting and engaging and fairly plausible. My only complaint is that the ending is not as strong as the rest of the novel, almost as if Danvers didn't really know quite how to end the novel. Still, this is an excellent, fun read.
Rating:
Summary: Almost an awesome story
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed all of this book - except the ending. Danvers could have done so much more with the storyline. The truly ironic thing, I find, is that there is one scene in the book where Kropotkin criticizes the ending of Mike's play; and then _The Watch_ ends, in my eyes, having the same fault! He should have practiced what he preached.
Rating:
Summary: Philosophical with sci fi packaging
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone. However, it is stronger philosophically than it is on the sci fi element. Sci fi readers may be dissapointed that we don't get to know how the watch really works in great detail, but people who enjoy political commentary and are open to critical commentary on modern American culture will greatly enjoy this book. My opinion is that those who do not like the ending either did not feel the philosophical necessity of it, or understand the character of Kropotkin that Danvers presents. It is considerably darker than the rest of the book, but the only possible ending that would be consistent with the author's presentation of this remarkable man. If you spent your entire life (or both of them?) working toward a certain goal, would you choose to have someone simply hand it to you after all that time? I think not.
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