M46 Patton

M46 General Patton

The M46 Patton was an American medium tank designed to replace the M26 Pershing and M4 Sherman. It was one of the U.S Army’s principal medium tanks of the early Cold War, with models in service from 1949 until the mid-1950s.

Reading the Hot War books from Harry Turtledove has inspired me to think about gaming some scenarios from the books. British Comets and Centurions versus Russians T34-85 and T54 Soviet tanks with American M26 Pershing and M48 Patton tanks. In the book there are also Sherman manned by (West) German forces.

Alpha and Omega

I am tempted by the new Harry Turtledove novel, Alpha and Omega.

What would happen if the ancient prophecy of the End of Days came true? It is certainly the last thing Eric Katz, a secular archaeologist from Los Angeles, expects during what should be a routine dig in Jerusalem. But perhaps higher forces have something else in mind when a sign presaging the rising of the Third Temple is located in America, a dirty bomb is detonated in downtown Tel Aviv, and events conspire to place a team of archaeologists in the tunnels deep under the Temple Mount. It is there that Eric is witness to a discovery of such monumental proportions that nothing will ever be the same again.

Buy the book from Amazon.

Plastic Comet

The Comet (A34) was a British cruiser tank that first saw use near the end of World War II. It was designed to provide greater anti-tank capability to Cromwell tank squadrons. It was armed with a 77mm HV, a derivative of the 17 pounder, with the result it was one of the few British tanks with the firepower to challenge late war German designs.

One of the most popular posts on the blog is an article I wrote back in 2011 on the Battle of the Bulge reporting on the news that Flames of War was going to release models and rules for the Battle.

Then I said:

I would like to see two tanks in particular, the M24 Chaffee and the British Comet. These tanks are currently not in the FoW range.

I was pleased when Battlefront released the plastic model back in 2015, however I didn’t manage to get some until now. I am not a great fan of the plastic kits, much prefer the resin models which have more weight.

Flames of War Comet Tank

It was on the eBay I purchased two of the sets containing two Comets each.

Flames of War Comet Tanks Box OFBX08Flames of War Comet Tanks Box OFBX08

The box contains two plastic Comet sprue and were designed as expansions to the original Open Fire starter box. So you get some data cards too.

Flames of War Comet Tank Datacard

Though you don’t get the (metal) commanders that you get in the five Comet box.

Really pleased that I have some now, I have been thinking of using them not only for Late War Flames of War games, but also 1950s Cold War games. The Comet remained in British service until 1958. Reading the Hot War books from Harry Turtledove has inspired me to think about gaming some scenarios from the books. British Comets and Centurions versus Russians T34-85 and T54 Soviet tanks with American M26 Pershing and M48 Patton tanks. In the book there are also Sherman manned by (West) German forces.

So time to get building and painting.

In the Presence of Mine Enemies

I am currently reading Harry Turtledove’s alternate history novel, In the Presence of Mine Enemies.

In the Presence of Mine Enemies

Set in 2009 in a world in which Nazi Germany not only won the Second World War, but also won a Third World War against the United States; the novel concerns the lives of the last Jews in Berlin, who have survived despite the odds against them.

Like many of Harry Turtledove’s novels there are lots of characters who meet now and again, but generally are independent of each other in terms of storylines.

The premise is very interesting and I have enjoyed the book (nearly finished it), but it is nowhere near some of Harry’s other novels in terms of quality and I must say that I have enjoyed other similar backgrounds more, Fatherland for example.

Overall I would say if you enjoy this kind of alternate history and also enjoy Harry Turtledove novels then you will probably enjoy this book.

You can buy the book from Amazon.co.uk.

Settling Accounts: In at the Death

My book choice this week is Harry Turtledove’s Settling Accounts: In at the Death.

Settling Accounts

This is the final chapter in the long running alternate history series on a divided United States which started with How Few Remain and went through the Great War, a political inter-war period before finishing off with a four part 1940s era series.

This the final book covers the end of the war (and as the cover gives away) the use of nuclear weapons.

It’s been quite a long haul and I am sure I will go back through the series again at some time (as I did with the WorldWar series).

I am only half way through the current book and so far I have really enjoyed it, though typically Turtledove there are a lot of (similar) characters and I have got lost sometimes. Also so far there has been no mention of Canada, which is a pity as I enjoyed that aspect of previous books.

Recommended.

Buy it from Amazon.co.uk

The Grapple

As per usual a different cover for the UK edition…

I noticed on Amazon that the UK edition of The Grapple is about to be released. Though I have already bought and read the US edition I have always liked to see the different covers that are used on the different editions.

As you can see above the US edition (on the right) has paratroopers landing, whils the UK edition has gone for a Confederate Navy ship.

The books is a typically good Turtledove read, which I enjoyed and was slightly disappointed that this series(of the series) is not a trilogy, on other words there is at least one more book on the way.

One difference which I did like was the fact that Harry intertwined some of the characters, usually this happens rarely in his books, so it was nice to see some of the characters meet.

The United States have found their fighting form at last. Pushed back from Pittsburgh, by 1944 the Confederate States of America are struggling to hold their ground against an American army that seems to grow stronger by the day. While the United States press on towards the Mississippi valley, Jake Featherston’s strategists in Richmond look for some way – any way – to slow down their inexorable advance. Deep in the heartland the extermination camps continue, but when all hope seems lost for their victims, the United States army turns at last towards the Texas plains. The fate of both sides, though, may lay elsewhere. A new menace appears in the Atlantic, intent on attacking the United States and scientists on both sides of the rapidly-moving border have nearly perfected an awesome new weapon that will guarantee victory for whoever uses it first. The greatest war of the twentieth century – fought this time in the heart of America – moves towards its blood-soaked climax.

The Grapple at Amazon.co.uk

Drive to the East

The next book in the Settling Accounts series from Harry Turtledove will be published soon, it is called Drive to the East.

The thrilling sequel to RETURN ENGAGEMENTS – the next part in this fascinating alternate history series by the creator of AMERICAN EMPIRE and WORLDWAR. It is 1942, and the Confederate States of America are locked in a tangle of jagged, blood-soaked battle lines with the United States of America. In Richmond, dictator Jake Featherston is shocked by what his own aircraft have done in Philadelphia – killing U. S. president Al Smith in a barrage of bombs. But he presses ahead with a secret plan on the dusty plains of Texas, where a so-called detention camp hides a far more evil purpose. The United States face a furious thrust by Confederate army into Pennsylvania. But with the industrial heartland under siege, Canada in revolt and US ships fighting against the Japanese in the Sandwich Islands, the most dangerous place in the world may be overlooked.

Drive to the East

Though from the covers I do prefer the UK version.

The UK covers seem to have a theme of using actual World War Two hardware with Confederate colours, maybe this is something that wouldn’t wash in the US.

Settling Accounts: Drive to the East is published on the 9th August in the US and on the 10th October in the UK, though Amazon will sell you the US edition in the UK from the 9th August.

Buy Drive to the East from Amazon.

Finished Homeward Bound

I have now finished Homeward Bound.

I really enjoyed it, a very good read. One reason I think I enjoyed it, was that Turtledove focussed on much fewer characters than he does in his other books. One characteristic of most Turtledove novels is the preponderance of characters, this was more like Guns of the South, in that there are few characters. My only thought was that in order to use characters from previous novels and the fact it is set in 2031 means that Harry has had to use a plot device of cold sleep to keep the characters young enough to be in the new book.

It certainly has its twists and turns and it is well worth reading, though to appreciate it you do need to have really read the rest of the series.

Review from Amazon:

Alternate-history maestro Turtledove’s conclusion to his Worldwar and Colonization sagas, about how lizard-like aliens known as the Race invaded Earth during WWII and were fought to a stalemate by the major Allied and Axis combatants, lacks the vividly described battle scenes of its predecessors, but more than compensates by closely examining the Race’s culture and society.

While the Race have colonized much of Earth, they’re amazed by the human ability to adapt to change. (The aliens’ probe some 600 years earlier led them to expect they’d be facing armored knights.) When an American starship makes the trip to Home, the Race’s planet of origin, the lizards fear the loss of their technological dominance and decide to annihilate Earth, their colony included—until another Earth spaceship arrives, this one with the faster-than-light drive the Race never developed.

The question of how much common ground exists between the lizards and humans wouldn’t have been out of place in old issues of Astounding. The author dramatizes the old “nature versus nurture” argument through the moving stories of a human woman raised from birth by the lizards and of two aliens raised as humans. Fans will be pleased that room remains for a sequel.

Order the book from Amazon.

Homeward Bound

Started reading the new Turtledove novel…

I eventually got round to ordering Homeward Bound, the new Turtledove novel based from his WorldWar series.

I have only read the first thirty pages and doesn’t time fly….

Review from Amazon:

Alternate-history maestro Turtledove’s conclusion to his Worldwar and Colonization sagas, about how lizard-like aliens known as the Race invaded Earth during WWII and were fought to a stalemate by the major Allied and Axis combatants, lacks the vividly described battle scenes of its predecessors, but more than compensates by closely examining the Race’s culture and society.

While the Race have colonized much of Earth, they’re amazed by the human ability to adapt to change. (The aliens’ probe some 600 years earlier led them to expect they’d be facing armored knights.) When an American starship makes the trip to Home, the Race’s planet of origin, the lizards fear the loss of their technological dominance and decide to annihilate Earth, their colony included—until another Earth spaceship arrives, this one with the faster-than-light drive the Race never developed.

The question of how much common ground exists between the lizards and humans wouldn’t have been out of place in old issues of Astounding. The author dramatizes the old “nature versus nurture” argument through the moving stories of a human woman raised from birth by the lizards and of two aliens raised as humans. Fans will be pleased that room remains for a sequel.

Order the book from Amazon.

Homeward Bound released 28th December 2004

Homeward Bound released 28th December 2004

Homeward Bound is going to be published on 28th December 2004, it is a sequel to the WorldWar in the Balance and Colonisation series.

Review from Amazon:

Alternate-history maestro Turtledove’s conclusion to his Worldwar and Colonization sagas, about how lizard-like aliens known as the Race invaded Earth during WWII and were fought to a stalemate by the major Allied and Axis combatants, lacks the vividly described battle scenes of its predecessors, but more than compensates by closely examining the Race’s culture and society.

While the Race have colonized much of Earth, they’re amazed by the human ability to adapt to change. (The aliens’ probe some 600 years earlier led them to expect they’d be facing armored knights.) When an American starship makes the trip to Home, the Race’s planet of origin, the lizards fear the loss of their technological dominance and decide to annihilate Earth, their colony included—until another Earth spaceship arrives, this one with the faster-than-light drive the Race never developed.

The question of how much common ground exists between the lizards and humans wouldn’t have been out of place in old issues of Astounding. The author dramatizes the old “nature versus nurture” argument through the moving stories of a human woman raised from birth by the lizards and of two aliens raised as humans. Fans will be pleased that room remains for a sequel.

I really enjoyed the WorldWar series and combined with Guns of the South made me a real Turtledove fan.

You can pre-order the book now on amazon.co.uk.