Drive to the East

Settling Accounts, Book 2

By: Harry Turtledove

Narrated by: Paul Costanzo

Length: 25 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's Summary

In 1914, the First World War ignited a brutal conflict in North America, with the United States finally defeating the Confederate States. In 1917, the Great War ended and an era of simmering hatred began, fueled by the despotism of a few and the sacrifice of many. Now it's 1942. The USA and CSA are locked in a tangle of jagged, blood-soaked battle lines, modern weaponry, desperate strategies, and the kind of violence that only the damned could conjure up for their enemies and themselves.

In Richmond, Confederate president and dictator Jake Featherston is shocked by what his own aircraft have done in Philadelphia - killing US president Al Smith in a barrage of bombs. Featherston presses ahead with a secret plan carried out on the dusty plains of Texas, where a so-called detention camp hides a far more evil purpose.

©2005 Harry Turtledove (P)2016 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"There is plenty of action, and, of course, characterization remains one of Turtledove's long suits." ( Booklist)

Very Entertaining

The story and narration go great together. Another big hit for the series. The narration was perfect and on point.

Love this whole series!

Turtledove's spin on real-world events brings this series to life. I prefer the previous narrator in the series, but Costanzo does just fine

Terrible ending to phenomenal series

The sky was the limit with this series it started off with an incredible opportunity they completely re write history and did a phenomenal job throughout most of the series only to squander the final 2 books

Much better than return engagement

I enjoyed this book a lot more than the previous entry. I'm actually looking forward to the next book. Cast of characters is overall more interesting to me this go around.

like a first-person WWII story but differsnt

Harry T takes us through another interesting alternate history story with a disturbing but thought-ptovoking scenario. he brings the life of the Jewish people and others in WWII a little closer to home in this instalment.

One of the most exciting in the series

If you are this far into the series you know how great turtledove is at writing. This book is action packed from cover to cover. Love it.

Bricks Without Straw

Plot moves in predictable fits and starts in this installment of Turtledove's long series. Most POV characters pop up regularly in pointless and painfully repetitive vignettes - most notably the doctor and the sailors. A few of the plotlines are slightly interesting but still suffer from Turtledove's horrible reliance on cliche and repetition. Worst book of this timeline so far. Desperately needed a competent editor.

Great book, small cracks

I love this series, it has always fascinated me and is a masterpiece in alternate history tales. However, while the overall story is wonderful, in the details is where the story does have its flaws. Mostly in the characters.

Turtledove has a few different repetitive this he does, aside from his choice of phrases. His characters also share this fate. There are a few different types of characters in this book series that I will sum up in general terms with out spoilers.

The person you’re supposed to hate.
The people you use to view the time period you’re in.
The people whose arc’s go nowhere, and by extension the people who die but you wish they hadn’t(and some you don’t mind/care if they did)
And those who seem to succeed.

Turtledove does his best to imitate real life and while I believe he succeeded it leads to a lot of filler in my opinion. I do t mind because I like this sort of stuff. But it does require patients . But to me it’s worth it.

Another great offering from Turtledove.

Where does Drive to the East rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favorites.

What did you like best about this story?

I've been a fanof alternate history for a while.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

He does with great narration.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I would've prefered they stick with George Guidall.

Any additional comments?

None.