Book Review: 1862
1862 is an alternate history novel. The basis of alternate history books is an event that happens differently than it did in history (the point of departure), and the exploration of what follows as a result.
In 1862, the POD is that Great Britain enters the U.S. Civil War on the side of the South as a result of the Trent Affair. This is a common point for historical speculation (including Harry Harrison's terrible Stars and Stripes trilogy), with most thinking that Britain's involvement would have ensured the South's independence. That's not want happens is this book (I'm not sure how much of the plot I'm supposed to give away in reviews).
Anyways, at only 410 pages 1862 is a relative light weight, and covers only a board overview of events. If Harry Turtledove (probably the current leading alternate history writer) had written it, it probably would have been a 4 book series with each book being over 600 pages. The dialogue seems a bit stilted at times, and all the plot coincidences favor one side. An average book at best.
Technorati tags: 1862 Robert Conroy Alternate History
In 1862, the POD is that Great Britain enters the U.S. Civil War on the side of the South as a result of the Trent Affair. This is a common point for historical speculation (including Harry Harrison's terrible Stars and Stripes trilogy), with most thinking that Britain's involvement would have ensured the South's independence. That's not want happens is this book (I'm not sure how much of the plot I'm supposed to give away in reviews).
Anyways, at only 410 pages 1862 is a relative light weight, and covers only a board overview of events. If Harry Turtledove (probably the current leading alternate history writer) had written it, it probably would have been a 4 book series with each book being over 600 pages. The dialogue seems a bit stilted at times, and all the plot coincidences favor one side. An average book at best.
Technorati tags: 1862 Robert Conroy Alternate History
posted by Freethinker at 2:23:00 PM
2 Comments:
I've enjoyed some alternate history stuff, but it does seem to have the great opportunity for preachiness if not done well. Does this fall into that?
I don't think it was preachy, I do think that Conroy (who I somehow failed to mention is the author) forced things the way he wanted them to go. I suppose most authors do that, but maybe he wasn't as skillful with it as others. It just wasn't as an objective of a developed history as I would have liked.
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