Worldwar cover art

Worldwar

Upsetting the Balance

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About this listen

Communist China, Japan, Nazi Germany, the United States: they began World War II as mortal enemies. But suddenly their only hope for survival---never mind victory---was to unite to stop a mighty foe: one whose frightening technology appeared invincible.

Far worse beings than the Nazis were loose. From Warsaw to Moscow to China's enemy-occupied Forbidden City, the nations of the world had been forced into an uneasy alliance since humanity began its struggle against overwhelming odds. In Britain and Germany, where the banshee wail of hostile jets screamed across the land, caches of once-forbidden weapons were unearthed, and unthinkable tactics were employed against the enemy. Brilliantly innovative military strategists confronted challenges unprecedented in the history of warfare.

Even as lack of fuel forced people back to horse and carriage, physicists worked feverishly to create the first atomic bombs - with horrifying results. City after city joined the radioactive pyre as the planet erupted in fiery ruins. Yet the crisis continued - on land, sea, and in the air - as humanity writhed in global combat. The tactics of daredevil guerrillas everywhere became increasingly ingenious against a superior foe whose desperate retaliation would grow ever more fearsome.

No one had ever put the United States, or the world, in such deadly danger. But if the carnage and annihilation ever stopped, would there be any pieces to pick up?

©2009 Harry Turtledove (P)2010 Tantor
Fiction First Contact Genre Fiction Science Fiction War & Military Military War Imperial Japan Russia China

Critic reviews

"Turtledove exhibits his genuine feel for crafting believable answers to historical 'what ifs.'" ( Library Journal)
All stars
Most relevant
I first read these books over 20 years ago, and unlike many they have stood the test of time well.
It's always amusing to hear American pronunciation of British place names, but some others words were also strange, but it didn't detract.

The story continues

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loved the story, yes it had its slow moments ( for me it was Lu han in China) but overall this was a great third story in this saga!

Very enjoyable

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I love this series so much, almost got these books when the first came out but never did for some reason. I did find there was a little more jumping around and it made it a little more difficult to follow than the first 2. There were times when things got a little repetative or wordy and it spoiled the flow. I know that other's have criticised some of the accents and pronunciations but the narrator has a lot of work to do and I can forgive any flaws. Slightly disappointment with one aspect of the ending but I won't say what because others might feel differently about it.

This needs an HBO series

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Would you consider the audio edition of Worldwar to be better than the print version?

Before I listened to worldwar I wasn't sure reworking history would work. But it does.

What does Todd McLaren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Really liked his narration, as good Scott Brick, my favourite from the Dune prequels

Really enjoyable

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Book 3/4 in the amazing alternate history series with aliens invading during WW2. In the first book, the timeline is mostly the same at the start, now it has diverged significantly and building to the a conclusion.

Another great chapter in alternate WW2

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