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Title: Gunpowder Empire (Crosstime Traffic, Book 1) by Harry Turtledove ISBN: 0-7653-0693-X Publisher: Tor Books Pub. Date: 05 December, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 2.67 (3 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: A light read
Comment: The title deliberately evokes the classic "Gunpowder God" by H Beam Piper. While it was not the first book to introduce the concept of travel to a backward parallel universe, it is widely considered to be the one of the best of its ilk. Turtledove has made his name specialising in science fiction about alternate history. So this is a natural and slight shift in emphasis, where travel is permitted between the universes. None of his other books depict this, if I recall.
Certainly, the cover raises high hopes of a similarly swashbuckling tale of war, akin to Piper's classic. Alas, it falls short. The book is not military science fiction. Rather, you might consider it as a fitting sequel to "Household Gods" that Turtledove wrote with Judith Tarr. Granted that was pure fantasy, while this is hard SF. But the bulk of both books are thematically similar. Household Gods shows life in ancient Rome. This book depicts it in a Roman Empire in about 2100 CE, but at the technological level of our 17th century. In both are the gritty details of everyday life that most novels set in those eras omit. It is quite well done for that. Turtledove shows his scholarship in his attention for historical detail.
The plot is quiet. The war is just a backdrop. This may disappoint some readers.
He does introduce some deliberate cognitive dissonance, by having his American characters loathe the touch of furs. He uses that to place some separation between us and them, since they are depicted as being from the late 21st century. But therein is my biggest problem with this book. His depiction of that is far too similar to ours. Apart from the ability to travel between dimensions, he posits very little change. And in one paragraph, one of the characters uses a Powerbook?! In case you didn't know, that is a computer made by Apple now, in the early 21st century. What are the chances that anyone eighty years from now will use that piece of junk? Turtledove goofed on that one, sadly. But the rest of the book is ok.
The closing paragraphs are the most promising. They allude to the possibility that other technologically advanced dimensions might also develop this capability. The problem is that several of these are quite loathsome and would be a mortal peril to us. Which is why we have to keep an eye on them...
Does this suggest sequels of a more warlike nature?
Rating: 3
Summary: Interesting, uncomplex alternate history for teenagers
Comment: When Jeremy Solters and his sister Amanda are not going to Canoga Park High School (class of 2092 or so), they join their parents in trading in an alternate reality where the Roman Empire has endured into the late twenty-first century. They can do this because their reality has developed technology which allows travel between alternate realities so cheaply that apples from "alternates" are for sale at the local Safeway. Since traders in the Roman reality often travel as families, Jeremy's family stays together in a Roman city in present-day Romania as they peddle such items as pocket watches, straight razors, and mirrors--simple items, yet advanced beyond what the locals have--in exchange for grain to be transported home.
But things don't go as smoothly as planned. Jeremy's mom falls ill, and his father accompanies her home, leaving the kids on their own--and then, suddenly, entirely on their own as contact with their home universe breaks off. If that is not bad enough, they face an invading army, and pressure from local authorities to reveal the source of their wares. It will take bravery and thoughtfulness for Jeremy and Amanda to get themselves out of this one . . .
An interesting concept which will apparently be used by Turtledove as the basis for exploration of more alternate worlds. But this one is not up to his standards. One never gets the sense that the kids are in any real danger, despite the bullets and cannonballs that fly near them now and then. And these teens are almost too good to be true--they never act irresponsibly, and are a little too politically correct (freeing a slave, reacting with revulsion to fur, etc.). The only non-PC element seems almost accidental (the only girls Jeremy gets the hots for are the daughters of other crosstime traders--he is manifestly uninterested in local girls).
Seems very similar to childrens' adventure stories of a generation or so ago. Pluck and determination will win in the end, without the need for complicated moral questions.
Recommended for Turtledove's readers, to some extent, or for a first alternate history book for young teens. Although frankly, as much as I enjoy Turtledove at his best, there are better books out there for both groups.
Rating: 1
Summary: "Young adult" book. PC many times over, otherwise primitive
Comment: and very boring book! I did not expect such a low quality "material" from Turtledove. Even literary it's very weak. Looks like Turtledove's forgotten project written by his younger kid. Basically, 90% of book dedicated to telling us that the slavery is bad, very bad and awfully bad, that the life in the Middle ages was terrible, i.e. no drugs, immunization, etc. He "teaches" the reader over and over again that it's bad to wear furs for god sake!
No adventure, nothing. Just stupid moralization over and over.
This book was written for 10 years old, if the reader of course is willing to experiment on his children!
I would give it a negative rating, if i could. Waste of money and time!!!!
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Title: In the Presence of Mine Enemies by Harry Turtledove ISBN: 0451529022 Publisher: New American Library Pub. Date: 04 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: American Empire: The Victorious Opposition by Harry Turtledove ISBN: 034544423X Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 29 July, 2003 List Price(USD): $27.95 |
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Title: Ring of Fire by Eric Flint ISBN: 074347175X Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 January, 2004 List Price(USD): $23.00 |
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Title: 1634 : The Galileo Affair by Eric Flint, Andrew Dennis ISBN: 0743488156 Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 April, 2004 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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Title: There Will Be Dragons by John Ringo ISBN: 0743471644 Publisher: Baen Books Pub. Date: 01 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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