Rating: 
Summary: An intersting tale...
Review: The Two Georges is a fine story in the genre of the alternate history, set in the North American Union which, as a British domain, comprises almost the entire continent. In this story the famous painting of George Washington and King George III in the act of reconciliation is stolen, placing in jeapordy the Union which Washington helped to create.
The story can stand alone on its merits as a detective novel, as North American Mounted Police Colonel Thomas Bushell deals with intrigue and the machinations of the Sons of Liberty, the terrorist group descended from the 18th century revolutionaries who are still trying to make America independent. However,the premise upon which this alternate timeline is based is slim at best, there being many more issues at play in Colonial America than George Washington or King George III combined could have dealt with. The impression one gets is that the world has been a safer and more stable place over the last couple of centuries, wit only some friction among the great powers, an impression which would be hard for a serious historian to consider. Granted that the novel could not have discussed much of what has happened over the last 200 years without being too artificial or taking away from the story at hand, but it might have tried to give a better idea of the state of the world, recent events, etc.
I thought the technological disparity between the 20th century of The Two Georges and our own to be a valid premise. Overall, a good read!
Rating:
Summary: Not Quite!...Things Much The Same .
Review: This is one of those popular fictional stories that leave you asking the question- Was the United States such a good idea? It really dosen't matter.The idea of the late twentieth century storyline in this book being based on our 1930's tecnology was a little bit unbelievable. The North American Union would have been an independent Commomwealth country by now, Philidelphia probibly the capital city, although the fictional Victoria could have been created at the start of the 20th century ( after that Queen's death)as Canberra in Australia had. Being peacefull, non-violent, understanding of others, the NAU would've still developed on the lines that run parallel to our USA reality ie: a superpower that even Russia and Germany would never have touched. Which in the end would have pushed aside Great Britain as the heart of a global empire. Aviation, Radio, Television, Computer technology, Entertainment and all the things that we take for granted today would still have existed in the NAU late 20th century, you can't stop human development.... Anyhow the storyline WAS good and apart from silly little things such as cross country airship travel (more useful for overseas services)and some stupid names for cities (New Liverpool? England would have kept L.A. although Astoria instead of Chicago does have a nice ring to it.), proved to be a good read. Based on an assasination attempt on the visiting King Charles by Irish trouble makers, the plot soon thickens into a more broader storyline that involves a young detective, a very clever woman and an adventure that is enjoyable to follow. From the start, famous people of our reality are represented in this storyline and are all linked together with a great and sometimes humorous plot. All over a stolen painting with a nasty surprise inbedded in it. No doubt to that fact that Harry Turtledove's excellent record of mastering alternate history was used.
Rating:
Summary: One fun read!
Review: Turtledove gets Richard Dryfus, not a small-time actor, to join in this romp. Set in LA, Dryfus, a native, and Turtledove who got a Ph.D. in history from U.C.L.A. and then taught there and two other state schools in the LA basin, show an America in the stoggy arms of mother England. We never left the Empire!
You will learn why our Scottish friends are striving to become independent. If you know L.A. of the fifties on, your will love the L.A. in-jokes. Just plain fun!.
| 
