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Weapons of Choice (The Axis of Time Trilogy, Book 1)
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Weapons of Choice (The Axis of Time Trilogy, Book 1)
Author: John Birmingham

Book Information
Publisher: Del Rey
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780345457127 - ISBN-10: 0345457129
Publication Date: 6/1/2004
Pages: 448

Book Description:
On the eve of America’s greatest victory in the Pacific,
a catastrophic event disrupts the course of World War II, forever changing the rules of combat. . . .

The impossible has spawned the unthinkable. A military experiment in the year 2021 has thrust an American-led multinational armada back to 1942, right into the middle of the U.S. naval task force speeding toward Midway Atoll—and what was to be the most spectacular U.S. triumph of the entire war.

Thousands died in the chaos, but the ripples had only begun. For these veterans of Pearl Harbor—led by Admirals Nimitz, Halsey, and Spruance—have never seen a helicopter, or a satellite link, or a nuclear weapon. And they’ve never encountered an African American colonel or a British naval commander who was a woman and half-Pakistani. While they embrace the armada’s awesome firepower, they may find the twenty-first century sailors themselves far from acceptable.

Initial jubilation at news the Allies would win the war is quickly doused by the chilling realization that the time travelers themselves—by their very presence—have rendered history null and void. Celebration turns to dread when the possibility arises that other elements of the twenty-first century task force may have also made the trip—and might now be aiding Yamamoto and the Japanese.

What happens next is anybody’s guess—and everybody’s nightmare. . . .

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Please Rate these Book Reviews

Kate M. (Kinare) wrote on 4/2/2007...


Great futuristic sci-fi book. Great to read before 2008, not spoiling this any more than that.

Richard D. (rik) wrote on 10/18/2006...


What happens when a Multi-National Navy Fleet from the year 2021 gets sent back to the year 1942? It lands right in the middle of a US NAvy fleet looking for the Japanese fleet. Not only does the author describe action between the different fleets (and subsequently how they work together to fight a common enemy),he also does a great job in depicting the social intercourse between the Navy personnel of tomorrow with the Navy personnel of the future. This is Part 1 of the "Axis of Time Trilogy".

Bobbie H. (BobbieH) wrote on 7/4/2006...


Preparations for the pivotal Battle of Midway in 1942 are interrupted when a multinational task force from 2021 are transported in their midst, with near catastrophic results for both forces. The time travelers and the contemporaries must then deal with the implications for both the people involved, and the larger implications for WWII and beyond. The battles are detailed and realistic, the action is fast moving, and the plot is a nice twist on the alternate reality subgenre of SF. What I particularly enjoy about this book is that the sociological ramifications aren't forgotten amongst the shiny tech talk. How do the white men of the navy and government in 1942 react and adjust to the largely multi-ethnic and gender mixed commanding forces of the 2021 task force? How do the time travelers adjust to ways they perceive as almost-barbaric and ignorant, and how does their mere presence begin to change attitudes? The battles and depiction of historical figures are accurate and entertaining, yes, but this is where the real strength of the series is, in my opinion. It in no way slows down the main action, and it very definitely enhances the world the author is building for us. Highly recommended for fans of Turtledove, Stirling, and Flint.


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