Marching Through Peachtree

I really liked this book.Now, though I know some about the Civil War, I am not a super fan nor do I know it battle by battle and general and colonel by general and colonel. Maybe this is why I liked it so much - many of the characters were new and unknown to me. In fact, maybe this book would be even better for those with a good grasp of geograhy but not a photographic memory of the Civil War. The book is not perfect - at times it's a little boring regarding the incessant pep talks that both sides lead to keep up their courage (We'll lick them, of course). Also (and this is not the author but me) where did he get that weird pantheon from with lions and all? Why a virtual US with a pagan religion? I suppose it's to reinforce the swords and sorcery theme.The author does a good job showing the lives of ordinary soldiers, too. I thought Marching Through Peachtree better than its predecessor Sentry Peak. I admit that since he is following real history some of the characters do have to make stupid mistakes too often. This is especially true in Sentry Peak with Thraxton the Braggart and his too idiotic mistakes, but I don't think it is as bad in the sequel. I especially liked the characters Rollant, Smitty, Doubting George, and Roast Beef William. And who'd ever think to see a picture of Abe Lincoln in a crown?So all and all a neat adventure even if bound by real history.

The war between the provinces drags on with the serf-holding north holding on despite advances by the south. After winning the battle in Franklin, the southern army faces a new opponent--one who intends to keep his army intact and to force the south to take losses for every mile of territory they conquer. Fortunately for the south, the northern generals are constantly back-stabbing their leader. If the southern population is willing to continue the battle, the blond serfs of the north may, eventually, be freed. MARCHING THROUGH PEACHTREE is a fantasy novel (magic, dragons, flying carpets) version of the U.S. Civil War recounting Sherman's march through Georgia. This type of fantasy recasting of real historic events is something of a Harry Turtledove specialty and MARCHING THROUGH PEACHTREE is the best of these novels I've read yet. Turtledove gives the reader a full range of the battle, depicting the decisions and lives of both generals and privates. Ex-serf and blond Rollant is an especially interesting and sympathetic character. Fans of epic fantasy may be disturbed by the moral ambiguity in MARCHING THROUGH PEACHTREE. Although the southern (U.S. northern) cause is depicted somewhat more sympathetically, the northern side also has its merits--there can be no pure battle between good and evil. To enforce the parallels to U.S. history, Turtledove is forced to introduce some rather extreme stretches--e.g., using magic carpets as a substitute for the all-important railroads. As always, when recounting historical events, the reader is forced to accept foolish decisions (because they actually happened) that no reader would accept in a pure fiction work (because no villain or hero would do anything that stupid). If you enjoy this type of historical analogue novel, MARCHING THROUGH PEACHTREE is one of the best. It may be read independently of the earlier novel in this series.

I just realy enjoy all of the turtledove books but this one has caught my eye and everyone should read it.