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Crichton's ability to skillfully blend pure science and fantasy has always been evident in his past bestsellers. He does it again here in Timeline. A group of medieval historians unwittingly become the victims of quantum technology: an explosive new device manufactured by their financier. Using an exotic time travel machine, they are catapulted back to fourteenth century France to save a hapless professor, accidentally transported. Their romantic views of medieval life are soon obliterated when they confront the brutality and grim circumstances common to those times. Action-packed and true to detail, Crichton masterfully weaves 21st century megatechnology with 14th century knights extraordinaire - a fun read, particularly for those whose tastes run to Camelot!

Reviewed by Rosanne L., Matthews Branch

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Michael Young, a history student at Cambridge University, and physicist Dr. Leo Zuckermann, use a rudimentary time machine and manage to keep Adolf Hitler from ever being born. They immediately find themselves in a world where the United States is in a Cold War with a Nazi Germany in control of all of Europe. The absence of Hitler made possible the rise of a much more successful Third Reich under Rudolf Glober. Michael Young and Dr. Zuckermann have to find a way to change what they have done, because a world without Hitler is worse than the one he helped create. Stephen Fry creates a 20th century where the threat of fascist domination is still very real in the 1990s.

Reviewed by Michael E., Main Library

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It's May 1942, and war is raging around the world. The Allies and the Axis, in bitter opposition, must put aside their differences to fight a threat to the entire planet, alien invasion. Harry Turtledove's World War series, beginning with World War: In the Balance, presents us with the question, "Could Stalin, Hitler, Churchill, Roosevelt and other world leaders work together against a common foe?" Turtledove does an outstanding job of weaving the lives of fictional characters with historical figures as they try to fight the invaders while keeping a distrustful eye on their human enemies as well. A must read for anyone interested in the growing genre of alternate history.

Reviewed by Michael E., Main Library

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A classic alternate history, this book begins a few years after the Axis victory that ends World War Two. Germany and Japan occupy their respective coasts of the United States, leaving the central plains and Rockies a vast buffer zone between the two. While the Japanese reveal their true nature to be highly civilized, and the Nazis live up to the horror expected of them, a daring new book captures the divided country’s imagination. The question it poses and answers: what if the Allies had won? Perhaps, indeed in a parallel universe….

Reviewed by Jim B., Main Library

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The growing genre of alternate history has done itself proud with this anthology. Edited by Harry Turtledove, the most well known author of alternate history, this book contains 14 stories ranging from 5 pages to over 100 in length. Several of the stories deal with your standard "What if this had happened differently" premise, while a few deal with the existence of multiple parallel Earths where each one represents a different reality. Many issues are covered in the book, including World War II and the Civil War, as well as historical items like the spread of Christianity vs. the spread of Islam in Europe. This group of short stories would be an excellent introduction to alternate history.

Reviewed by Michael E., Main Library

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What if it was 1985 and the world’s superstars were authors and fictional characters? And what if someone invented a machine allowing people to enter fictional works? The world’s most evil criminal, Acheron Hades, has entered the original manuscript of Jane Eyre, kidnapped and brought the title character to 1985 England, and is holding her for ransom. In this hilarious spoof of mystery and science fiction genres, Special Operative Thursday Next, a feisty female literary detective, must rescue Jane and prevent the re-writing of a beloved work of literature. Highly recommended for those Douglas Adams fans wondering what to read next.

Reviewed by Glenda B., University City Regional

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Most alternative history deals with war, changes in global economy, and other eathshattering events. Stephen Baxter’s epic is the story of the space race that never was. The change in course of one bullet brings us to a world where America spends the 1970s striving to put together a manned mission to Mars. The story is gracefully told, with enough attention to detail that it is at times easy to forget that what you are reading is fiction. It is books like this that remind us why this genre is called science fiction, as incredibly well realised characters show us what could have happened, had history turned a slightly different way. An astounding book.

Reviewed by Ian R., North County Regional

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Ms. Clarke's debut novel takes place in an "alternate" England during the early 1800s. During the previous two centuries, magic has all but disappeared from England. A peevish scholar named Mr. Norrell (from York) moves to London and attempts to restore magic. After a few early struggles (and a shady dealing with a Fairie), his skills are soon utilized by the British government (his magical feats help turn the tide in the Napoleonic Wars). Soon, another younger upstart magician (Jonathan Strange) arrives on the scene. At first, the two seem destined to form a perfect partnership. Norrell attempts to shape his education, but Strange's growing interest in a controversial historical magician named John Uskglass soon threatens to tear their relationship apart, and Norrell's earlier bargain with the Fairie yields unpleasant complications for all. This has been referred to as "Harry Potter for grown-ups." Clarke's sporadic use of real historical figures and her attention to detail make this a lengthy but engrossing read.

Reviewed by Greg E., South County Regional

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Alvin Jr. is the seventh son in a family that is moving into the midwest in early 19th century America. In this version of America, though, being born the seventh son is important for more than mere tradition. This is a world where folk magic is real and every person is born with a special knack. Alvin's Father was also a seventh son and there is a real possibility that Alvin may develop into a very powerful sorcerer, known here as a maker. Since the beginning of his life Alvin has had an enemy he cannot see called the Unmaker. The Unmaker is determined that Alvin will die before he matures and fulfills his amazing potential. Since this enemy cannot manifest itself physically in the world he is forced to attack through surrogates. A rich alternate frontier America is the setting for this first book of a series that has entertained adults and teens for several years.

Reviewed by Ed M., Morrison Regional

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It's 1864 and the Civil War is not going well for the Confederates. Out of nowhere a man wearing military fatigues from the 21st century shows up and offers General Lee and the rest of the Confederacy access to AK-47's. Upon seeing the power of these "repeaters" General Lee accepts the gift and takes his army of Northern Virginia into Yankee territory. The novel has a nice twist on the time travel/alternate history genre in that it's told from the viewpoint of those that live in the past, alternating between General Lee and a company first sergeant from North Carolina. It also allows Turtledove to speculate on what could have been the fate of the South had they won the war. A classic of the genre.

Reviewed by Ed M., Morrison Regional

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Here is a magnificent mix of mystery, cyber punk, alternative history, and literary noir. In a 21st century both familiar and odd we meet Ashraf Bey al Mansur, Pashazade. Raf, as he is called, is not as he seems. Raf has come to El Iskandryia at the behest of his Aunt Nafisa to meet his potential bride, Zara. Raf's real identity is one of many mysteries here; even he isn't sure just who he is. He knows he has served time in an American prison for a murder he didn't commit. He also knows that he has undergone genetic and cyber augmentations. He soon learns that his life depends on him solving the mysteries surrounding his aunt's death. What a start to Grmwood's Arabesk trilogy!

Reviewed by Mark B., Main Library

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