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tome15's review against another edition
4.0
Turtledove, Harry. Second Contact. Colonization No. 1. Del Rey, 1999.
Harry Turtledove is by far the most prolific and accomplished writer of alternative history novels. But the colonization series leaves known history for an alien invasion story. The premise is that some dinosaur-like aliens invade and conquer most of the Earth in 1942, thereby disrupting the course of world history. By 1963, an uneasy peace is in place, with a lot of spying by all parties. There are rumors that Polish Jews have acquired a nuclear weapon. France is still occupied. Earl Warren is the U.S. president, and Hitler and Stalin have been replaced with equally bad leaders. The aliens have taken Africa, Australia, and most of China. Everyone is stealing alien technology. Russia, Germany, China, and the United states have rushed to create a presence in space, along with the alien fleet. When the aliens begin to land females to continue their colonization program, we discover their weakness—ginger is a very addictive aphrodisiac for them. So now the plot can start. Enjoy.
Harry Turtledove is by far the most prolific and accomplished writer of alternative history novels. But the colonization series leaves known history for an alien invasion story. The premise is that some dinosaur-like aliens invade and conquer most of the Earth in 1942, thereby disrupting the course of world history. By 1963, an uneasy peace is in place, with a lot of spying by all parties. There are rumors that Polish Jews have acquired a nuclear weapon. France is still occupied. Earl Warren is the U.S. president, and Hitler and Stalin have been replaced with equally bad leaders. The aliens have taken Africa, Australia, and most of China. Everyone is stealing alien technology. Russia, Germany, China, and the United states have rushed to create a presence in space, along with the alien fleet. When the aliens begin to land females to continue their colonization program, we discover their weakness—ginger is a very addictive aphrodisiac for them. So now the plot can start. Enjoy.
davidr's review against another edition
4.0
This novel is the first in the Colonization Trilogy. Set in the 1960's, twenty years after the Second World War was interrupted by an alien invasion. There are still enormous enmities between the three super-powers; the United States, the German Reich, and the Soviet Union. But somehow the humans had fought off the extra-terrestrials in some regions, come to a stalemate in others, and had lost their territory in yet other regions.
The extra-terrestrials, who call themselves "the race", are lizard-like creatures. They have not totally subdued the humans, but in some regards are more humane than humans. They do not kill for sport or for irrational prejudices. They are generally less aggressive and are not as calculating or vindictive as humans. They assumed that since their earlier probes of a couple thousand years ago showed that humans were primitive hunters and agriculturists, they would still be primitive in 1940. They were totally caught off-guard by the rate at which humans had advanced in technology. Prepared for a quick lop-sided battle, they were flummoxed by the advanced weaponry of the humans. While humans were still behind the race in technology, they learned fast and were wily opponents.
The novel follows the everyday lives of humans in each civilization, and of aliens in the 1960's. Conversations are a bit stilted at times. Alien gestures are narrated in a very stilted manner. But the humanity comes through in each main character, and even in the aliens. The book tends to be a bit repetitious at times, but the fascinating scenario kept my interest throughout.
I did not read this book--I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Patrick Lawlor. The reading is creditable, but not the best. Some of the German accents are rendered with a Russian-like accent, and the narrator's voice is not always a pleasure to listen to.
The extra-terrestrials, who call themselves "the race", are lizard-like creatures. They have not totally subdued the humans, but in some regards are more humane than humans. They do not kill for sport or for irrational prejudices. They are generally less aggressive and are not as calculating or vindictive as humans. They assumed that since their earlier probes of a couple thousand years ago showed that humans were primitive hunters and agriculturists, they would still be primitive in 1940. They were totally caught off-guard by the rate at which humans had advanced in technology. Prepared for a quick lop-sided battle, they were flummoxed by the advanced weaponry of the humans. While humans were still behind the race in technology, they learned fast and were wily opponents.
The novel follows the everyday lives of humans in each civilization, and of aliens in the 1960's. Conversations are a bit stilted at times. Alien gestures are narrated in a very stilted manner. But the humanity comes through in each main character, and even in the aliens. The book tends to be a bit repetitious at times, but the fascinating scenario kept my interest throughout.
I did not read this book--I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Patrick Lawlor. The reading is creditable, but not the best. Some of the German accents are rendered with a Russian-like accent, and the narrator's voice is not always a pleasure to listen to.
holomew151's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
alesia_charles's review against another edition
2.0
I have a feeling I've read this book before, but I'm not sure. Frankly, I think the story would be more interesting *without* the regrettable effects of ginger on the female aliens. Not to mention less annoying. The specter of a Germany and France that have been under the Nazis' thumb for two decades is also deeply unpleasant.
Still well-written, though, while still being unsurprising in almost every respect. But hey, I guess if the formulas work, why mess with them? At least he avoided the trap of having every last one of the characters from the first series doing just dandy in the 20-years-later series.
Still well-written, though, while still being unsurprising in almost every respect. But hey, I guess if the formulas work, why mess with them? At least he avoided the trap of having every last one of the characters from the first series doing just dandy in the 20-years-later series.
bbnut45's review
2.0
Did not find the story interesting. The plot was slow and there was no closure of anything at the end. This is a series but I will not be reading any more of these books. Lizards could be interesting aliens but apparently not these lizards!
ruru's review
3.0
Haven't read alternate history for a while, not usually something I search out (and sometimes I try and avoid it altogether if it involves Nazis). Well, this one does involve Nazis, but I don't have much choice in NYPL ebooks that I can read on my Palm. This is one my better ebook finds; the aliens are well-developed, many of the humans are interesting, thoughtful characters (though some feel stereotypical), and the plot (the uneasy co-existence of the two Races), while it moves slowly, is intriguing. I'm definitely reading the next in the series.
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