On the Oceans of Eternity

Book 3 in series,book 1 Island in the sea of time, book 2 Against the tide, now book 3,,outstanding alternative history series, hard to put down so get all 3 then start reading,enjoy.....

Or is it part 2 of the sequel to Island in the Sea of Time (IISOT)? Either way, it is a great read, almost bringing closure to the story begun in Against the Tide of Years (there is a hook for a sequel: William Walker's daughter Althea isn't killed, but escapes to somewhere in central Asia, where she may someday get into mischief). Kathryn Hollard marries Kashtiliash (who was, BTW, an actual historical king, as was his father); Ken marries (the fictional) Raupasha, and several other marriages occur. One scene really stretches suspension of disbelief: at Tom Hollard's place on Long Island, there appear 132 marines. "The faces under the floppy canvas campaign hats were young, sweating, and tired with the day's route-march out to Fogarty's Cove and AND BACK . . . ." (emphasis added) From Long Island, they marched the 700+ miles to Fogarty's Cove, which is on the south shore of Chedabucto Bay, and 700+ miles back, all in one day? What were they? 132 clones of Jason P. Garrick? Kidding aside (the author is completely within his rights to create a fictional Fogerty's Cove on Long Island) OTOOE is a great deal of fun to read, and as a bonus, you even learn something about ancient history. [email protected]

In the book _On the Oceans of Eternity_, S.M. Stirling wraps uphis trilogy set circa 1250 B.C. when the modern day island ofNantucket is mysteriously transported back in time. Readers will find more of Stirling's complex and well developed characterization, meticulousy researched historical information, and exciting battle scenes. I thought the further development of characters such as Isketerol of Tartessos and George McAndrews was well done and added flavor to the series. And while some have said that the ending is rushed or anticlimatic, I found it to be a refreshing change from the standard speculative fiction wrap-up. All in all, an excellent piece of work.

I have been waiting for this book since Jan of '99 when I finished the 2nd book in this series, "Against the Tide of Years", and have to say I was NOT disappointed. The entire series has been excellent, though it seems as if Mr. Stirling intends at least one more book rather than the three orginally planned. The "Republic of Nantucket" (the island of Nantucket mysteriously thrown back to 1200 B.C.)still has to deal with renagade Coast Guard officer William Walker and his followers, now scattered over a large part of southern Europe, nothern Africa and what we call today the Middle East...Stirling leaves a few loose ends remaining to be tied up (a reason I think at least one more book is coming)and the confrontation with Walker is anti-climatic, (Walker himself is almost a secondary character in this book)One criticism though, one of the battle scenes in "Oceans" is lifted almost word for word from the movie "Zulu" with no acknowlegement of the fact and I would have preferred that a writer of Mr. Stirlings stature would have at least given a nod of the head to it...an excellent book all around despite that... BUT (imagine the "Jaws theme playing in the background) Isketrol still rules in Tartessos,McAndrews is still loose in Africa, and Walker's daugther Althea is riding north with her fathers followers swearing revenge and that she will not make the same mistakes and she will not "strike too soon"....

I've been waiting for this book for two years. Let me tell you, brother... It was worth the wait!"On the Oceans of Eternity" is for anyone who likes action, adventure, women in chainmail, or boys with guns or vice versa. :) Unlike most action books, this one has plenty of food for thought and literally tons of research behind it. You will come away from this read having learned something as well as having had lots of fun.If you are new to the series, start with "Island in the Sea of Time" then read "Against the Tide of Years". This volume brings that series to a close, in a most satisfying manner.Unlike the middle book, this title was edited quite well, the pacing was almost perfect and the execution flawless. The ending comes all too sudden and swift for the reader's taste. Odikweos' meeting with Arnstein was everything it should have been, the ends (and beginnings) that well-loved/hated characters met were plausible and intriguing. To be less vague would spoil the surprises in store, so read and enjoy!//Fritz!