Worldwar: Tilting the Balance

By: Harry Turtledove

Narrated by: Todd McLaren

Length: 25 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

No one could stop them - not Stalin, not Togo, not Churchill, not Roosevelt....

The invaders had cut the United States virtually in half at the Mississippi, vaporized Washington, D.C., devastated much of Europe, and held large parts of the Soviet Union under their thumb. But humanity would not give up so easily. The new world allies were ruthless at finding their foe's weaknesses and exploiting them. Whether delivering supplies in tiny biplanes to partisans across the vast steppes of Russia, working furiously to understand the enemy's captured radar in England, or battling house to house on the streets of Chicago, humankind would never give up.

Yet no one could say when the hellish inferno of death would stop being a war of conquest and turn into a war of survival - the very survival of the planet....

©2009 Harry Turtledove (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Turtledove's thorough command of storytelling and historiography...assure us that this is an irresistibl[e] book." ( Booklist)

Narration

need pauses between characters. Aside from the occasional inaccuracy, great story. it's an interesting thought experiment.

Great but wordy

The author has an amazing knowledge of history. The story is great but the author goes to great length s developing the characters. So much detail that you will almost feel like turning off the book when action finally happens.

I'm hooked and want more

Would you listen to Worldwar: Tilting the Balance again? Why?

It is a exciting story but I'm not sure if I would listen again. I admit picturing lizards in the main roles are challenging but as it is sci fi it doesn't matter. Listening to book 1 and now through 2 is however extremely addictive and really almost like ginger!

What did you like best about this story?

Battlefields throughout the world and skirmishes where Allies and Axis turn their backs together in the attempt to stop common enemy. Love Scenes are few and far between but put a little extra to the the plot. Fun to follow Otto Skorzeny in his macho raids and other famous figures in WW2 turns up now and then.

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

I kind a love this guy - he makes me feel good.

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

Gott mit uns!

Any additional comments?

Book 3 - I think it's up next!

Great success

Truly a grand series of sci-fi alt hist novels I must say the first was more of a mesmerizing read but tilting the balance really puts you into the character of whomever turtledove decides to put you into. pretty deep world of exciting characters, except for Bagnel that guy's a real tool, all and all this book is quite lit and if you enjoy seeing humans represented a year into the peak of their science as they controdict the stationary force of bipedal reptilians who plan on colonizing the earth during the events of the second world war. then ya it's worth a credit #NoIDontDoubleDipButIWillAfterThis,
p.s-got and ginger my guy?

The story is read.

In this sequel to the first book, the narrator reads the story as it was written, using his voice to delineate the different characters and even articulate onomatopoeias and certain sound effects. The sex scenes are... Well they could be shorter. Anyway sweet scifi novel, hopefully Will Smith's son will be given a chance to ruin it if it becomes a miniseries or movie in the future.

Great alternate history

Very well done science fiction with enough history and historical references to be interesting. Great for work listening because the plot is simple.

AWESOME BOOK!

One of the best audio books I've listened to. The Narrator is amazing. I will recommend to my friends.

Save the World

Book 2 of this series is brilliant and fun. The fight for survive of Human civilization continues with explosive results. A great narrator and brilliant story mix for a worthy sequel.

Give it a try.

The performer is more assured in this second book although he still mispronounced some place names. This is a minor quibble, however, given that this story - which is by no means Science Faction - does well as a sprawling operatic epic.

Given that there are a good few more books to come in the sites, I'd suggest you give it a try.

Fantastic Sequal

If you listened to the first book and enjoyed it, you will equally enjoy this one. Same problems as the first book too, which means sometimes repetitive exposition and the narrator not pausing between POV changes.

But again, if you made it to this book chances are those minor issues weren't deal breakers. Enjoy the continuing adventure of Atvar and pur new Reptile overlords!