[Solaar]

Ok, I might have done this the wrong way, but I've bought up a whole stack of Turtledove's books from the alternate history ones to his recent series where Aliens take over the planet (Battleground: Earth?)

Seeing as I won't get to read them for a while (near the bottom of my 'to read' pile), has anyone any comments on them? I can't recall seeing anyone saying anything about him or his books.

Solaar
waiting patiently

[ezchaos]

I found the Turtledove books that I've read to be pretty good, but not my favorite alternate history stories. My favorites are ones that don't include a bunch of famous people from our timeline as main characters. From the 3 or 4 Turtledove books I've read, I've found that's what he usually does. Don't get me wrong, sometimes portraying certain people from our history in alternate timelines can be cool, like with Gettysburg or WWII, but, I found what Turtledove does is throw in a bunch of historical characters and zips back and forth between them.

Solaar, this is just a personal dislike. The alt history books were pretty good , so don't let me discourage you from reading them.

[Ladijen]

I've only read the first three books in "The World at War" (I think that is the name) and I really like the series so far. It is WWII in a fantasy setting, with many characters and POV changes, many lands, and very detailed. He provides a cast of characters at the beginning of each book so that it is easier to keep track of each character and where he or she is from.

There was one other thread, but I don't remember which one, where someone said that they weren't impressed with his writing. I would say that it is true that Turtledove is not the best writer out there, but this series is entertaining...I will definitely finish the series.

[fluffy bunny]

liked the videsseous cycly, but hated the worlds at war saga (seemed too contrived at the time how aliens advance along exactly the same tech path as us)

[chocky]

The Videssos cycle was good, and I really liked Guns of the South.
The Great War books and World War books are not as good. They jump around to to many characters and are rather aloof.
As far as I can tell the history is pretty accurate, but who cares if you can't get into the book or the characters.

[Carmichael]

I read the first two of his alternate reality novels awhile ago. I personally thought they were kinda dull.

[Solaar]

Thanks for all your comments guys (should have known Ladijen would be around somewhere...) :D and I've taken all your comments on board.

Gotta admit, that the themes of the books are what grabbed my attention, and I do enjoy good alternative history, so I'm actually looking forward to reading them.

Once done, my opinion will be posted!

Solaar
the grateful

[Ken Korczak]

I've read "Guns of the South" by Turtledove. It's about white supremasists who go back in time and give modern weapons -- M-16s I think -- to the Cofederates so that they can win the Civil War. The future guys wanted to preserve slavery.

It's a very good book. I had a brief encounter with Harry Turtledove at the World SF Convention, held in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was there signing books. The line in front of his desk was very, very long!

He's a bald guy with a long beard and looks like a history professor -- which makes sense because that's what he is!

And get this: I was walking along in the lobby, and who should stroll by but Frederick Pohl walking alongside and chatting with Hal Clement!

I was star struck!