Worldwar: In the Balance

By: Harry Turtledove

Narrated by: Todd McLaren

Length: 26 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

War seethed across the planet. Machines soared through the air, churned through the seas, crawled across the surface, pushing ever forward, carrying death. Earth was engaged in titanic struggle. Germany, Russia, France, China, Japan: the maps were changing day by day. The hostilities spread in ever-widening ripples of destruction: Britain, Italy, Africa...the fate of the world hung in the balance. Then the real enemy came. Out of the dark of night, out of the soft glow of dawn, out of the clear blue sky came an invasion force the likes of which Earth had never known---and worldwar was truly joined.

The invaders were inhuman and they were unstoppable. Their technology was far beyond our reach, and their goal was simple: Fleetlord Atvar had arrived to claim Earth for the Empire. Never before had Earth's people been more divided. Never had the need for unity been greater. And grudgingly, inexpertly, humanity took up the challenge.

In this epic novel of alternate history, Harry Turtledove takes us around the globe. We roll with German panzers, watch the coast of Britain with the RAF, and welcome alien-liberators to the Warsaw ghetto. In tiny planes we skim the vast Russian steppe, and we push the envelope of technology in secret labs at the University of Chicago. Turtledove's saga covers all the Earth, and beyond, as mankind---in all its folly and glory---faces the ultimate threat; and a turning point in history shows us a past that never was and a future that could yet come to be.

©2009 Harry Turtledove (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

“Turtledove excels in alternate history, and this panoramic exploration of a world at war...showcases his fertile imagination. A feast for history buffs as well as sf fans.” ( Library Journal)

This is I think one of the greatest series ever

This is one of the greatest series ever written. I have read all the books and listened twice on Audible both to the WorldWar series and the Colonization series books. It is worth the credits. Auidible20

Ridiculous (or what) but what a ride!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Why not explore other possibilities of alternate scenario. It is so utterly satisfactory to see the Nazis stopped in their killing spree, forced to collaborate again with the Soviets and others. Even the Jews see the Germans as the better of two evil....eventually.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Worldwar: In the Balance?

Many, like swarms of German fighter planes battling the invaders, among them ME-262.

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

He reads well enough and I enjoyed listening. I'm not native english speaking so it doesn't bother me if some accents are not perfectly correct.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It is really exciting and so great to make alternative history out of WW2 and be able to put all those situations and characters in the story to help the listener to relate. Put some Lizards on top of it and it mixes ridiculously well together. I admit it takes time to accept some reptiles invading the earth but you get there.

Any additional comments?

Book 2 in the series next up.

more funny that I'd thought

The Lizard race trying to figure out humans I find more funny than I should

decent book but

The book is for the most part great but the soldier and wife being together while her husband is trying hard to find and get back to her made it a little hard to want to continue.

Interesting concept

What did you like best about Worldwar: In the Balance? What did you like least?

The author takes factual historical tidbits and tucks them into the story as guideposts so that his fiction never strays too far beyond the bounds of believability.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The alien invader's culture is interesting. The obligatory love story lines are distracting.

Which scene was your favorite?

The German's use of a railway gun to fight a highly advanced opponent.

Could you see Worldwar: In the Balance being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No. In the end it is simply a story of a more advanced species attacking a less advanced one and getting a bloody nose for their hubris.

Any additional comments?

The author uses graphic sex scenes to indulge his own fantasies. They are unnecessary and repetitive. It seems that all of the main characters end up having sex at least several times each throughout the book. That is, except for the faithful scientist.

What if mastery

The scope of the story is world wide. It takes some getting used to large cast and switching perspectives that make up most of Turtledove's stories but it is a pleasure to read. AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

Very interesting but open ended.

This was my first exposure to Harry Turtledove and I liked the way he wove the tale. I do wish though that he tried to bring this tale to an end instead of leaving you hanging. If I had known this was to just be a cliff hanger to get you to buy the next book I probably wouldn't have bought it. After spending over 20 hours listening, I think it would only be fair to have the story wrap up. Especially since the next book is NOT available as an audio book. The writing was great and I will end up getting the other books when they become available but I did end up feeling just a little cheated.

Waiting

It would be nice if you would carry the last book in the series... da

Necessary .

Rather boring at times and jumped all over the place. Too many characters and too much jumping around.

Absolutely Awesome

I was introduced to this book from Cody of Alternate History Hub. Thanks Cody