"Alternate history at its best"
In Denver homicide detective Win Bear begins to feel
his age after years on the force dealing with all kinds of
vermin. His latest case is the usual chasing a murderer in
a country that is totally controlled by the government with
killers seemingly the only individualists left. The
economy is in the tank and the only thing rising is
pollution. Individual freedoms are nearing "zero". Win stumbles on the PROBABILITY BROACH. He enters a
different United States where individual freedom means
everything and with limited government, technology has
thrived within the blue skies. A different history has
occurred with the major divergence beginning in 1794 with
Gallatin joining the revolting Pennsylvania farmers, which
results in the execution of Washington. The rest is
history. This is a reprint of a 1980s tale comparing two worlds,
ours and an idyll realm based on L. Neil Smith's contention
that we lost freedoms during the Federalist period that
also cost progress. Readers do not have to be libertarians
to enjoy a well-written science fiction that dramatically
portrays government excess using an alternate historical
base for comparison. The story line engages the audience
while making the readers think especially with today's
debate over military tribunals for alleged terrorists or
even the Steele case under Starr. Though avoiding the
issue of the private sector stealing our civil liberties
that also permeates American history, Mr. Smith's novel
remains fresh today as the air in his alternate history is
so that the reader gains a fabulous thought provoking novel
that also entertains its audience. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted November 30, 2001
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