"Alternate history at its' best"
By 1918 the Great War fought in North America and
Europe led to the victory of the United States and Germany
over the allies. With that success, the United States
takes control of the continent by taking territory from the
weakened Confederate States and turning Canada into a
colony. President Roosevelt facing a socialist reelection
challenge led by Upton Sinclair sends venerable war hero
General Custer to apply tight military rule over Quebec.
Unbeknownst to the President and the General is that a
rabid angry nationalist plans to kill Custer. Meanwhile in the Confederate States, sergeant Jake
Featherstone tries to stir support using demagoguery by
blaming blacks and the United States for the abject poverty
wracking his decimated nation. Due to his charismatic
personality, his Freedom Party gains rapid support even as
they splinter an already divided nation further. Harry Turtledove continues his massive tome documenting
an alternative historical time line with the start of a new
series, American Empire. The story line of BLOOD & IRON
returns survivors from the Great War tales struggling with
a new era of 'peace' in which it seems many people prefer a
return to the recent days of war. The current tale is
exciting and loaded with non-stop action. However, new
readers will struggle to gain a foothold as the events of
the previous series impact this plot since Mr. Turtledove
keeps his time continuum valid and reliable, but quite
complex. Old fans will have a field day with the
revised 'Roaring Twenties'. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted August 3, 2001
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