How Few Remain

A Novel of the Second War Between the States

By: Harry Turtledove

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 24 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Harry Turtledove, the master of alternate history, crafts arresting novels based on hypothetical scenarios and featuring iconic figures from the past. How Few Remain, a novel of the second war between the states, is hailed as "compelling" by Publishers Weekly in a starred review.

A generation after the South wins the Civil War, it annexes critical territory in Mexico. Outraged, the United States declares total war. This time the American army faces danger on all sides--Confederates, outlaws, Apaches, French, and even the British. George Custer and Teddy Roosevelt fight hard and give the Americans hope. But to win, they need a commander as brilliant as Stonewall Jackson, and they must stop Jeb Stuart’s glorious cavalry.

Riveting what-if situations make this a unique, intriguing book. Expert narrator George Guidall creates distinct personalities for the numerous characters, including socialist lecturer Abraham Lincoln, Confederate President James Longstreet, and antiwar journalist Samuel Clemens.

©1997 Harry Turtledove (P)2002 Recorded Books, LLC

A Civil War Alternate History Classic! Fantastic!

You probably haven't heard of Harry Turtledove. However, if you're into alternate history on a grand scale, or are passionate about the history, politics and leaders during the Civil War, you know EXACTLY who this author is, and his wonderful body of work.

If you look up his work, you may step back and say, "Where do I begin?"

You begin HERE. This audiobook is the doorway to all of the author's other tremendous and well-written works for this period, and beyond.

Once the story shifts to the changes that take place, the journey is both encompassing and engaging, which are true prerequisites for good alternate history novels.

You'll meet well-known characters such as Lincoln and Custer in this audiobook, but you'll also meet unsung heroes who complete a tremendously woven tapestry for the entire series.

Turtledove has done his research, and it shows. From speech patterns, descriptions, reactions and more, the author will take you there, and give you a thirst for more in this series.

Thanks, Harry, for such well-written and entertaining writing.

Excellent performance on a classic Turtledove

I've read (in print) all the Turtledove USA v CSA novels and this is the base for all of them. It was wonderful to hear the work performed so perfectly. There are many characters in a Turtledove novel and Guidall presents them all uniquely, yet without the overly done accents that plague other audiobooks.

If you're new to Turtledove, start here. You will either love the historical details and the rambling "period accurate" speech patterns, or you will hate it. Turtledove has a distinctive writing style wherein many phrases are used to excess. It can be charming and annoying at the same time, like hearing a favorite uncle tell a long story.

How Few Remain focuses on detailed character explorations of famous historical figures, like Lincoln, Custer, Teddy Roosevelt and Frederick Douglass, and how they react to their times. It's not a book full of thrilling battle scenes.

Try it. You'll either keep going and devour the rest of the long saga, or you'll get exasperated with the pace and lack of action and stop here. Either way, it's worth a listen.

An interesting concept.

I liked the idea of the twist on history and historical characters. The sexual content is unnecessary and I'm not really a fan of painting Lincoln as leaning socialist, but I suppose it works.

It was a good book.

It was a very decent book. My only issue is is the book ended to fast and there was a lot of a plots that I wish you could’ve develop more. For example, the issue between Custard and Roosevelt would’ve been really interesting to see how that turned out. Hopefully he’ll consider doing a sequel book.

Maybe my new favorite book

I’m so glad this author decided to have another go at a Civil War alternate history, this time without AK-47 wielding Confederates.

Great alternate History

Being Alternate Reality it was very interesting listening as individuals that’s lead history debated their corse of moral thought, political intent and shifting ideologies

Love it

Read book many times and enjoy audio it was great too hear.. author in top five of favorites..

Two words: Phe. Nominal.

The author has captured these real historical figures and their personalities in a compelling new environment.

Good listen

Good research made for plausible alternative plot points. I have to say that painting Lincoln as a socialist was uncomfortable at first, to the point where I considered stopping to review the book prematurely, but events shape the outcomes and it does make sense that had Lincoln lived in a world where the federals had lost, he might have split the party and gone down that path, I also see where Turtledove is building the foundation for later books in which WW1 happens and how the confederacy might wind up on the right side of history while the US finds itself on the outs. It’s uncomfortable but had Robert E Lee’s orders never been dropped and discovered, this very well could have been the reality. Art should make one think, to sometimes feel uncomfortable. This book was art and should be regarded as such.

Surprised!

Was unsure how well I would like an alternate history title but this was great. Liked seeing how differently things could've ended up for prominent historical figures should the south have won. The characters where very well built and while obviously I wasn't alive in this period, I felt that the prejudice of the people was neither overblown or glossed over. The narrator was skilled and had distinct voices for most characters. Can't wait to try the next book in the series!