Tomorrow the World: In which Cadet Otto Prohaska Carries the Habsburg Empire's Civilizing Mission to the Entirely Unreceptive Peoples of Africa and Oceania (The Otto Prohaska Novels) [Paperback]

John Biggins (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Otto Prohaska Novels | Publication Date: September 25, 2007

Laced with smart humor, this naval tale follows the early career of Lieutenant Otto Prohaska, a cadet in the Austro–Hungarian Navy at the turn of the century. Bad luck continues to shadow Otto, and when a fellow cadet breaks his leg, Otto must take his place on a scientific expedition bound for disaster. But even sinister quack scientists, a misguided attempt to establish a colony in Africa, and angry South Sea cannibals bent on destruction cannot keep Otto from fulfilling his patriotic duty.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Biggins writes with a fine sense of the sea and a truly marvelous wit.”  —Booklist

“Stark realism and finely crafted humor . . . compelling reading.”  —Library Journal

"Hilarious . . . devastatingly acute. It’s a book to cherish and reread."  —The Historical Novels Review

From the Back Cover

So many potential colonies, so little time . . .

In this prequel to the acclaimed series, the hapless Otto Prohaska begins his career in the Austro-Hungarian Navy with great expectations--and manages to capitalize on good luck turned bad as only an aspiring officer of the Hapsburg Empire can.

This time a fellow cadet breaks his leg, and Otto seizes the chance to take his place on a scientific expedition bound for disaster. Aboard the SMS Windischgrätz, in the last days of the great sailing ships, Otto learns the ropes as well as the latest scientific theories of European superiority. It's touch and go on the high seas, but even sinister quack scientists, a failed colony in Africa, and angry South Sea cannibals bent on destruction cannot keep the resourceful cadet from his patriotic duty to spread Hapsburg civilization wherever he goes.

John Biggins came across photos of the Austro-Hungarian submarine service in 1987. He subsequently wrote the four-book Otto Prohaska series, a cult classic with literary flair and an ironic twist. A native of England, Biggins currently lives in the Netherlands.

Praise for the Otto Prohaska novels

"Stark realism and finely crafted humor. . . . compelling reading." --Library Journal

"Biggins writes with a fine sense of the sea and a truly marvelous wit." --Booklist

"A retro techno-adventure story that falls somewhere between Tom Clancy and Patrick O'Brien . . . top notch military fiction with a literary flair." --Publishers Weekly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: McBooks Press (September 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159013110X
• ISBN-13: 978-1590131107
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #413,036 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tomorrow the World - Otto Prohaska Novels, November 25, 2007

By 

Michael J. Clinton "quidveritas" (Spokane, Washington United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tomorrow the World: In which Cadet Otto Prohaska Carries the Habsburg Empire's Civilizing Mission to the Entirely Unreceptive Peoples of Africa and Oceania (The Otto Prohaska Novels) (Paperback)

ALL of these novels are gems. This one is one of his best. Set in the early 1900's, Prohaska is a cadet seaman on a voyage of discovery. Like all the novels, this one exposes the rotten core of the Austrian civil and military systems in a way that will have you rolling on the floor. I've loaned these books to my friends and they won't be coming back anytime soon. They have become a regular topic of conversation in my historical group. Highly recommended even if you aren't interested in the period.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing creative writing, August 26, 2008

By 

Edmund E. White "Attorney, inactive" (McCall, Idaho) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tomorrow the World: In which Cadet Otto Prohaska Carries the Habsburg Empire's Civilizing Mission to the Entirely Unreceptive Peoples of Africa and Oceania (The Otto Prohaska Novels) (Paperback)

I have read each of the four Otto Prohaska novels written by John Biggins.
Amazing creative work. Set in the first World War era, with the Empire of Austria/Hungary falling apart, Otto Prohaska experiences the total incompetence of the Austrian government and its military component. The actual writing is superb. I wish I recognized the place-names as well as the geography of the novels. Otto Prohaska lives to be over 100. His experiences are incredible. The writing is wry and tongue-in-cheek as he details his naval experience and his combat flying experience. First rate!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!!!!, January 2, 2009

By 

J. Janeczek (NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tomorrow the World: In which Cadet Otto Prohaska Carries the Habsburg Empire's Civilizing Mission to the Entirely Unreceptive Peoples of Africa and Oceania (The Otto Prohaska Novels) (Paperback)

From reading reviews of Mr. Biggins' Otto Prohaska series, I thought that this would be a good book. However, I was wrong. This was an incredibly excellent, thought-provoking, and witty book. I recommend it to the history buff or anyone who enjoys a good read.