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Harry Harrison
If you like alternative history books even just a little bit, you've got to buy this book! This is an excellent work, not only in terms of the fiction, but in terms of conveying the reality of the actual American Civil War.
The plot centers on one small historical change. During the Civil War, a Union ship fired warning shots at a British mail ship that was carrying two Confederate diplomats, boarded that ship, and took the diplomats prisoner, all while in international waters. What if Prince Albert had not dissuaded Queen Victoria from sending a combative, intemperate demand for their release and reparations to the Union?
The changes that Harrison extrapolates from this minor change are intriguing, and highlight many of the psychological oddities of the American Civil War. Meanwhile, Harrison's writing style keeps the reader entertained and engrossed, while still conveying the full horror of America's worst hours.
When compared with The Two Georges, Stars and Stripes really shines. Although I'm a huge fan of Harry Turtledove's other alternative-history works, his collaboration with Richard Dreyfuss really fell short -- and reading Stars and Stripes soon thereafter strongly reinforced that opinion.
Click here to buy this book from Amazon.com.
(Note:
The Amazon.com links provided will take you to the same version of the book
that I own. This may be hardcover or softcover. The link may not take you to
the least expensive version of the work available. When you purchase books from
Amazon.com by means of these links, I receive a small commission through Amazon.com's
Associates program. This does not increase the cost to you, the purchaser, in
any way.)
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