While Harry Turtledove’s name is featured prominently on the cover, he authors just one of the thirteen short stories in this collection of alternate history tales. Though the settings range from ancient Egypt (in [a:Noreen Doyle|58657|Noreen Doyle|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]’s “Horizon”) to twentieth-century Istanbul (the setting of [a:James Fiscus|6055022|James Fiscus|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]’s “American Mandate”), the theme uniting them all is the different paths events might have taken should the people, choices, and settings have been any different. Like most collections, the stories are a mixed bag in terms of quality, with some working better than others. Readers will undoubtedly differ as to which stories these are, but just about any fan of the alternate history genre will find something to enjoy within the pages of this book. ( )

An anthology of tales set in worlds that are either only slightly different from ours, or completely different, these differences focussing on the actions of a general or other military leader. with possibly Noreen Doyle's 'Horizon' going back the furthest, taking as its point of departure, the continuation of the Akhen cult after the death of it's founding Pharoh - in our timeline the cult died with the pharoh. 'George Patton Slept Here' by Roland J Green takes as its point of departure, a more, umm, robust competition between Patton and Monty as they attack up the Italian penninsula leading to a different focus on the invasion of Germany. Judith Tarr's 'Devil Bargain' and Susan Schwartz's 'And the Glory of Them' are set during the various crusades with a more positive outcome for the Crusaders. Only Esther M Friesner's 'Labor Relations' risks anything close to humour as she describes one of the least violent invasions in history as the Japanese Empress tries to bore her Korean opponents to surrender. ( )

super, not just great, super (see alternate generals III) ( )

Sample Chapters: http://www.webscription.net/chapters/0743435281/0743435281.htm

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