Weapons of Choice

Axis of Time, Book 1

By: John Birmingham

Narrated by: Jay Snyder

Length: 20 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

The impossible has spawned the unthinkable. In 2021, a quantum military experiment goes horrifically wrong. A multinational taskforce of ultra-modern warships is suddenly transported back in time to 1942...right into the path of the U.S. naval battle group bound for Midway Atoll.

History is rewritten in an instant as the future smashes into the past, and high-tech hardware goes head to head with World War Two technology. In the chaos that ensues, thousands are killed, but the maelstrom has only just begun. The veterans of Pearl Harbor have never seen a helicopter, or a cruise missile - let alone nanotechnology, ceramic bullets, and F22 Raptor stealth jetfighters.

Allied and Axis forces are then caught in a desperate struggle to gain the upper hand - each hoping to tip the balance with a fist full of 21st-century firepower. What happens next is anybody's guess - and everybody's nightmare.

Listen to the entire Axis of Time trilogy.

©2005 John Birmingham (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Fantastic narration

The story was both enjoyable and easy to follow. That said, there were certainly parts that didn't make sense or seemed unbelievable (even in the context of a time travel story). The narration was far better than expected, and as someone who also owns the physical books, the audiobooks are the only way to go for this series.

-Chad

Really good read

This book reminds me of a very controversial sci-fi book from the early '80s titled Hitler Victorious. I don't recall the author - but the topics explored were a huge "What If". The author got into some real down and dirty social and psychological changes that probably could have occurred had the Axis powers won WW2. Many of the points were the ugly head of racism and how the racist views were only amplified after the end of the war. Sadly, that particular book was canned by the publisher because it really touched a nerve.

Fast forward to this book - and I'm fascinated with the world created. I do whence each and every time the flagship Carriers name is mentioned - but aside from that I've really enjoyed it. I appreciate the author captured the mindset of the day - that could end someone in the world of today.

Excellent Story! Reminds me of The Final Countdown

I thought this book was really great. I was a little skeptical after reading a few negative reviews, but I have to say this is by far one of my best purchases w/ Audible so far!

Time travel

To write a time travel masterpiece is hard enough but this one hit the mark with only a few flaws. And its only hindsight that reviles them.

A ship named Hillary Clinton

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

I would recommend this to people who like military/political fiction and time travel. A multinational battlegroup from an alternate post 911 future (2020s) where Hillary Clinton had been president following Bush including forces from: Britain, USA, Indonesia, Australia, and a single ship from Japan along with some military forces (such as marines) from other countries including Germany and Russia are thrust back into WWII just prior to the battle of midway. The pop into the middle of the night in the middle of the American fleet heading to midway who, of course, spot the single Japanese ship and the opening is the WWII forces fighting the automatic defenses of the future forces since the shift through time knocked everyone out.

Who was your favorite character and why?

There are so many different characters and I enjoy many of them.

Which character – as performed by Jay Snyder – was your favorite?

The Admiral.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

WWII vs 2020 global culture epic clash and proceed to change the playing field in WWII. Who will fall on the axis and who will join the allies in this alternate history?

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed all three books. The author thought through the cultural clashes, the backlash against the future troops from WWII era individuals, how arrivals would change the playing field -- including who uses the first nuclear weapon and where.

great story

The first book in a great series by John Birmingham. the axis of time series is an excellent science fiction series. the characters are very well good.

Most of it is good. A few things really ruin it.

I would have to say that 80% of the story is pretty good. There are some writing issues but most of it can be ignored. There are some all but unbelievable events that take place, but if you go into knowing it’s a fiction book it doesn’t affect the story to much. The narrator is does a superb job and in general the story is good. With that being said there are some major detractors. The Author has a major political biased (left leaning) that can be seen through out the book. Most of the time it doesn’t affect much but when it does it really shows and can be quite distracting. What I see most pertaining to this is the main ships name, the “Hillary Clinton”. This wasn’t really a bother for me because the book was written in 2004 and many people believe she would run and win the presidency in 2008 and for a ship to be named after the first female president seems like it would be a likelihood. The main distraction from the story the political biased brings up is the left wing view of the people of 1942. The author constantly use descriptors such as “primitive, mid evil, and barbaric” to describe the those from 1942. At one point the author goes as far as to say that if the allies win it would be better than the axis, “but only a little better.” The description of the 1942 people leads the reader to think that author believes that anyone before his time was just supremely racist, supremely sexist barbarian who is extremely stupid and hot headed. The another major detractor is the authors ignorance of military culture (meaning slang, ranks, nicknames, equipment). There are multiple times where he messes up ranks and other small things which by them self don’t ruin the immersion but all together do. Now biggest pet peeve is the war correspond. There is no way, not even someone from 2004, would believe that any report would ever carry a gun an know how to put fight marines. Carrying a gun would make that person a combatant and it just wouldn’t happens. In the end, if you can get over the political biased and some of the improbable events, it’s a good book. There were a few times I actually laughed which is a first.


And also, for all those complaining about raptors on a carrier, it was 2004 when the guy wrote it.

What a ride - can't wait for book 2

Loved listening to this fantastic alternative Sci Fi story. Only thing bothering me were the Allah akbar howling bastards . Both is the idea of jihad totally untorable in every way but the narrator did furthermore not get the pronunciation well. Everything else very good, exciting and entertaining. Thanks

fabulous book

loved every second
great mix of military and fantasy
best of all world s
would recommend to my friends
perfect narration

Alternate history book

This is a brand new genre for me. The idea that the near future can meld into 1942 is mind blowing.

The great reading by Jay Snyder paints the picture so well.

Some very interesting mind warps to boot. 10/10!