From Publishers Weekly
The third and final book in Nebula Award-winner Harrison's entertaining alternate history of the American Civil War (Stars & Stripes Forever; Stars & Stripes in Peril), in which the two sides reunite against a common enemy after the British Empire attempts to intervene on behalf of the South and sacks Biloxi by mistake, comes as something of a letdown. Making use of new technology, the new American command of Sherman, Lee, Grant and Jackson adapt their real-life strategies and tactics into what would be later known as blitzkrieg and deliver a defeat that the stubborn British aristocracy cannot accept. Much of the fascination of the previous entries was in how the reintegrated Army (and nation) functioned. Here, much of the Southern flavor is absent, replaced by the Northern juggernaut moving as mechanically as its components. The depiction of the British ruling classes as jingoistic bigots, and of Queen Victoria as a worthy grandmother to Kaiser Wilhelm II, was never subtle in the first two books, but here it descends to caricature, although it does remind us that our Special Relationship with the United Kingdom was by no means inevitable. If the conclusion arrives as no surprise, at least its manner will interest fans. Taken as a whole, this insightful series shows how the elements of modern warfare could have combined much earlier, and just how little the U.S. and the U.K. had in common in the 1860s.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
The Civil War ended with a victory for the Union, and a newly reunited country successfully fended off a British attempt to reconquer her "colonies." The American victory against Britain led to the liberation of both Ireland and Canada. As President Lincoln visits Europe, he learns of another attempt by the British to recoup their losses by seizing American ships. The third installment of Harrison's "Stars and Stripes" trilogy (Stars and Stripes Forever; Stars and Stripes in Peril) brings this tale of war and diplomacy in the aftermath of the American Civil War to a startling conclusion. Fans of alternate history will appreciate this new look at a favorite historic period. A good choice for most libraries. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
The conclusion of the Stars & Stripes trilogy brings the war of the virtuous Americans and Irish against the vile British to its long-telegraphed conclusion. The book's real interest lies not in its relatively predictable military maneuvers but in the subplot concerning General Sherman's espionage mission around Britain aboard a Russian steam yacht, which is well up to Harrison's customary level of achievement with the brisk action tale. Too much of the rest of the book is drowned out by grinding axes, starved by the underdevelopment of such themes as America's racial situation and Ireland's religious problems, and pinched by the limitations of Harrison's knowledge of such relevant matters as naval technology. Besides, no novel of any genre in which the bad guys never have a chance can really be state-of-the-art. Harrison has done better in his West of Eden and alternate Norseland sagas, and still, those who enjoyed Stars & Stripes Forever (1998) and Stars & Stripes in Peril (2000) will want to read the end of their story. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
“VERY PATRIOTIC READING . . . STARS AND STRIPES TRIUMPHANT FORGES ITS OWN DISTINCTIVE PATH.”
–Locus
“This insightful series shows how the elements of modern warfare could have combined much earlier, and just how little the U.S. and the U.K. had in common in the 1860s.”
–Publishers Weekly
“THE TRILOGY . . . IS CLEVER AND ENTERTAINING.”
–Science Fiction Chronicle
PRAISE FOR HARRY HARRISON
“One of science fiction’s most prolific and accomplished craftsmen.”
The New York Times Book Review
Stars and Stripes Forever
Chosen by Science Fiction Chronicle
as One of the Best SF Novels of the Year
“Highly entertaining . . . Harrison does a masterful job of demonstrating how this became the first modern war and changed forever the way nations conducted their affairs.”
Science Fiction Chronicle
“A well-crafted alternate history epic.”
Science Fiction Age
Stars and Stripes in Peril
“Lovers of novels of alternate history hold Harry Harrison in high regard and [this book] can only enhance that esteem.”
–Abilene Reporter-News
Review
?VERY PATRIOTIC READING . . . STARS AND STRIPES TRIUMPHANT FORGES ITS OWN DISTINCTIVE PATH.?
?Locus
?This insightful series shows how the elements of modern warfare could have combined much earlier, and just how little the U.S. and the U.K. had in common in the 1860s.?
?Publishers Weekly
?THE TRILOGY . . . IS CLEVER AND ENTERTAINING.?
?Science Fiction Chronicle
PRAISE FOR HARRY HARRISON
?One of science fiction?s most prolific and accomplished craftsmen.?
The New York Times Book Review
Stars and Stripes Forever
Chosen by Science Fiction Chronicle
as One of the Best SF Novels of the Year
?Highly entertaining . . . Harrison does a masterful job of demonstrating how this became the first modern war and changed forever the way nations conducted their affairs.?
Science Fiction Chronicle
?A well-crafted alternate history epic.?
Science Fiction Age
Stars and Stripes in Peril
?Lovers of novels of alternate history hold Harry Harrison in high regard and [this book] can only enhance that esteem.?
?Abilene Reporter-News
Stars and Stripes Triumphant FROM OUR EDITORS
In the finale of the thundering Stars & Stripes trilogy, President Lincoln and General William T. Sherman thwart a plot by the dastardly British to retake their former colonies. As always, Harrison heightens excitement by combining military action, diplomatic maneuvers, and cloak-and-dagger espionage.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
For the two countries that share a language and a heritage, the conflict began at the dawn of the U.S. Civil War. Just as America was about to tear itself to pieces, Britain itself committed an act of war by seizing a U.S. packet ship. In retaliation, the Confederate States rejoined the Union and took up arms against England. Repulsing a British invasion, and defeating her majesty's army, first in Canada, then in Mexico, then in Ireland, American pride and power swelled. Britain, like a wounded lion, howled in shame and anger. Now, Queen Victoria's empire is more dangerous than ever before, turning against the Irish on her own soil, flexing her naval might, and all but forcing a weary President Lincoln to authorize the next step in a headlong journey toward war.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
The third and final book in Nebula Award-winner Harrison's entertaining alternate history of the American Civil War (Stars & Stripes Forever; Stars & Stripes in Peril), in which the two sides reunite against a common enemy after the British Empire attempts to intervene on behalf of the South and sacks Biloxi by mistake, comes as something of a letdown. Making use of new technology, the new American command of Sherman, Lee, Grant and Jackson adapt their real-life strategies and tactics into what would be later known as blitzkrieg and deliver a defeat that the stubborn British aristocracy cannot accept. Much of the fascination of the previous entries was in how the reintegrated Army (and nation) functioned. Here, much of the Southern flavor is absent, replaced by the Northern juggernaut moving as mechanically as its components. The depiction of the British ruling classes as jingoistic bigots, and of Queen Victoria as a worthy grandmother to Kaiser Wilhelm II, was never subtle in the first two books, but here it descends to caricature, although it does remind us that our Special Relationship with the United Kingdom was by no means inevitable. If the conclusion arrives as no surprise, at least its manner will interest fans. Taken as a whole, this insightful series shows how the elements of modern warfare could have combined much earlier, and just how little the U.S. and the U.K. had in common in the 1860s. (Jan. 1) Forecast: The jacket depicting a Confederate soldier aboard an ironclad vessel flying the Stars and Stripes nicely conveys the novel's theme. Booksellers might want to display this one with Harry Turtledove's alternate Civil War novel Advance and Retreat (Forecasts, Nov. 25). When? During alternative history month, of course.
Library Journal
The Civil War ended with a victory for the Union, and a newly reunited country successfully fended off a British attempt to reconquer her "colonies." The American victory against Britain led to the liberation of both Ireland and Canada. As President Lincoln visits Europe, he learns of another attempt by the British to recoup their losses by seizing American ships. The third installment of Harrison's "Stars and Stripes" trilogy (Stars and Stripes Forever; Stars and Stripes in Peril) brings this tale of war and diplomacy in the aftermath of the American Civil War to a startling conclusion. Fans of alternate history will appreciate this new look at a favorite historic period. A good choice for most libraries. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 9/1/02.] Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Final installment of Harrison's trilogy (Stars and Stripes Forever, 1998, etc.) wherein a newly re-United States stands up to an oppressive, dinosaurian British Empire. In 1865, the Civil War factions united to repel a British invasion, then went on to liberate downtrodden Ireland. A year later, in England, people of Irish descent are being herded into ghastly concentration camps. The British, their domination of the world cotton trade imperiled, seize US merchant ships. Still smarting, unable to think twice, Prime Minister Lord Palmerston and Queen Victoria reject every diplomatic overture. At a peace conference in Brussels, President Lincoln gets a taste of British intransigence in person-right before assassin John Wilkes Booth attempts to shoot him. General Grant bravely takes the bullet (in the arm, fortunately) meant to kill Lincoln. Meanwhile, Count Korzhenevski of Russian naval intelligence, still fuming over the British invasion of the Crimea, approaches the American delegation with a proposition: on his next voyage into British waters, he'll take aboard a couple of spies-General Sherman and Assistant Navy Secretary Gustavus Fox, disguised as Russians. Back in the US, genius inventor John Ericsson designs and builds, seemingly in a matter of months, a steady stream of innovative and irresistible ships, guns, tanks, and other weapons. Lincoln and his advisors are agreed: the British must be defeated and their monarchy toppled. Take a double dose, throw logic out of the window, and wave that flag.
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