Island in the Sea of Time

I bought this book on the strength of several customer reviews of Eric Flint's 1632 which cited it as better (some said much better) than 1632. After reading it, I disagree, but I am not at all sorry I read it. ISLAND is a very enjoyable book, with great deal to recommend it, and I am looking forward to reading its two sequels, Against the Tide of Years and On the Oceans of Eternity. The average review gives ISLAND 4.0545 stars and 1632 4.0177; not a significant difference. Poor characterization is a leading complaint against both Eric and Steve, with many saying the other does much better. Come on, folks, these are plot-centered stories, not novels of manners. If you want the latter, read Jane Austen. There are also complaints about Marian Alston being a Lesbian. I count it as one of the strengths of ISLAND that Steve Stirling managed, without being preachy, to present her as a likable human being very worthy of respect, rather than as a stereotyped charicature. Another strength is that he makes it clear that the 1250 B.C.E. natives, while necessarily ignorant of later developments, were not necessarily stupid. Despite the usual disclaimer that "any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, . . . is entirely coincidental." one wonders about the striking resemblance between the William Walker of ISLAND and the American adventurer William Walker (1824-1860). Granted, neither Steve nor Eric has done a perfect job of describing the world as it was at the time he focuses on, but both have done exceedingly well. If it is more fun for you to nitpick, ok, you nitpick. I prefer not to let the minor flaws or the fact that Eric isn't Steve and Steve isn't Eric spoil my enjoyment of the wonderful stories both have written. [email protected]

This is the single greatest piece of black-lesbian-sailboat-captain/ninja fiction ever written. More importantly, it is the most impressive alternative history novel currently available. Stirling's characters, outlandish though they are, are utterly fascinating. While most books like this are highly formulaic and dull, this novel (like all of Stirling's work) is impecably well researched. Furthermore, it features a much more compelling, creatively structured plot than Eric Flint or the latest work of Harry Turtledove. The whole trilogy is as well written as the first book, and, unlike Turtledove, Stirling had sense enough to leave it be after three books. This novel is definitely worth buying.

This was my introduction to my new favorite author, S M Stirling. Island In The Sea of Time has a fascinating premise involving the time displacement of the inhabitants of Nantucket Island, sending them back to a world that is obviously unfamiliar with their knowledge and technology. As with any group of people, there are those among them that would take advantage of that edge to change history to their own benefit. The courage and integrity of most of the souls involved in this adventure who just want to try to make this ancient world better is what makes this book a page turner. There are two sequels after this book, equally well done and eagerly anticipated. If alternate history piques your interest, try these books. You will be very satisfied.

Imagine a group of 20th century people suddenly transported to the bronze age, c.1250 B.C. That is the premise behind this book. The "moderns" are the inhabitants of the island of Nantucket, some 7000 of them and they are now forced to deal with the diffcultly of adapting to totally alien life style, not to mention avoiding starvation... Some of the other reviewers of this book have mentioned Stirling's liberal viewpoint, and I admit having as a main character a gay black woman was a bit of a jolt, and the concept of the island just "happening to have" people with nessary skills seems a bit far-fetched, but these are no more than ripples in a sea of smooth flowing narrative. I would have personally prefered to have seen more about the "Nantucketers" struggle to adapt to their new world rather than jumping into the actions of renagde William Walker, but I am aware that that would have slowed the book more...Now that all three books in the series are available I can say this is one of the masterpieces of the alternative history genre, from first to last....

Don't let some of the reviews fool you--this book is not at all a politically correct screed. I have always really loved alternative history/time travel books, and have read tons over the years. This one is definitely among the top few, and my 5 star rating is a rare honest 5 star rating.All the fun stuff--the anachronisms, the brilliant re-creation of modern technology in an ancient era, changing the course of history--are all here and done extremely well. With this book, Stirling has upped the ante for the entire genre. For example, merely shooting a "thunderstick" does not send the natives fleeing in terror. Stirling demands far more cleverness from his characters.As for the complaints about the supposed political correctness, come on already! Every author imposes a point of view. I heartily disagreed with Stirling on some points, but he didn't lecture me, and it didn't detract from the story. It was far less clumbsy than say, Turtledove's Guns of the South (a favorite nonetheless), where he inexplicably has a female pretend to be a man so she can enlist in the Confederate army. You know what? There actually are some really ridiculously PC characters in this book, but they are portrayed as utter fools and losers.I guess if you can't deal with a strong, positive lesbian main character, then stay away. But honestly, she is not used as a device to lecture the reader on how great lesbianism is. I am very quick to roll my eyes at such nonsense and never felt the urge to do so.If you love this type of story, you have to read this book. A new classic of the genre.