Worldwar: Striking the Balance

Turtledove continues to maintain interest in the final book of the first subseries of World War. It is a satisfactory ending, and beginning. The plotlines are neatly wrapped up, with a number of shockers. But not too neatly wrapped up- there is a lot of room to see how the two species will develop next to each other. It is most enjoyable to see the development of history along parallel lines. After all, this is the purpose of alternative history books. We learn more about history by contemplating what might have been, and therefore learn what could be. Turtledove does this very well, showing how the major powers of WWII might have responded to an alien attack. He does this precisely and accurately, not simply using the 1940's as background to his real story, but trying to truly predict what might have been, based on what was- the facts and people on the ground. And so the ending is really very realistic- what we would expect from an advanced species attacking earth, but a species that has a much slower cultural evolution than do we. It is a bit depressing to see so many cities destroyed by nuclear warfare- especially a good number of cities I've lived in. This detracts a little from the enjoyment of the work. But I am eager to begin reading the next subseries.

Turtledove manages to finish this series off in a way that leaves us both satisfied and longing for more. As with the previous novels, Turtledove shows his talent for getting inside the minds of very different characters.If you are even consering not buying this, it is probable that you haven't read the previous 3, because they are addictive page-turners. Buy all the books in the series and enjoy.

Listen, all four books of the Worldwar Series are fantastic. The ending is great. It's the ending of "Independence Day" that was bad. Let's be real here people. Humans may have alot of heart but those Lizards aren't push-overs themselves. The new series that this ending has spawned should be even beter than the first. I CAN'T WAIT!

Striking the Balance is an excellent novel, a welcome change from the usual alien invasion novel where the aliens get literally blasted off the face of the Earth. The peace treaty between mankind and the alien Race, and both sides' plans to backstab the other (at the end, last few pages) are entirely plausible. Also, someone said that Turtledove portrays "all Germans as evil". This is wrong- the character Heinrich Jager is a great example of a good man under a bad system. Political intrigue and action are combined a la Tom Clancy, and even without the intrigue and double-dealing the book would still be great! The entire series is great and I can't wait to start on the next one.

Harry Turtledove's Worldwar: Striking the Balance is about Gila Monsters invading Earth. In the 1940s, when we humans are fighting World War II, aliens, four-inch lizards, invade and the Axis and the Allies have to put aside their differences and fight the common enemy. By 1943, (the year in which the second book is set), the war is going badly for we Earthlings. Chicago's in ruins, food's in shorter supply than usual, ( a meal costs over a thousand dollars), things are going all the enemy's way. That is until a nuclear bomb is developed two years ahead of schedule, the jet fighter premieres a year ahead of schedule, and Otto Skorzeny leads his men in the defense of the puppet state of Croatia. Harry Turtledove's storytelling is brilliant. Highly recommended. Sorry, I can't recommend the first and last books of the series.