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Upsetting the Balance (Worldwar Series, Volume 3)
 
 
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Upsetting the Balance (Worldwar Series, Volume 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author) "The fleetlord Atvar had convened a great many meetings of his shiplords since the Race's conquest fleet came to Tosev 3..." (more)
Key Phrases: little scaly devils, exalted fleetlord, landcruiser commander, Big Uglies, Liu Han, Soviet Union (more...)
3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
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  • This item: Upsetting the Balance (Worldwar Series, Volume 3) by Harry Turtledove

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This is the third book in Turtledove's Worldwar series. The Axis and the Allies began World War II as mortal enemies. But suddenly their only hope for survival -- never mind victory -- is to unite to stop a mighty foe whose frightening technology seems invincible. Turtledove is a master of alternate history. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.


From Publishers Weekly

The Axis and Allied powers continue to stand as one to defeat alien invaders in this third volume of Turtledove's alternate-history saga of WW II (Tilting the Balance; In the Balance). There are some unexpected twists here-the Lizards bomb Pearl Harbor, the Americans sacrifice Chicago-but none more surprising than the fact that, unlike in previous volumes, the narrative is dominated not by weaponry and tactics of war but by births and friendship. Liu Han's baby arrives in a Lizard internment camp; and the birth of Barbara Yeager's baby with her current husband, Sam, comes even as Jens Larssen, her physicist former husband, goes walkabout. Meanwhile, the theme of camaraderie in trying times comes to the fore, as does an emphasis on noble action. Even those who have been rooting for the Lizards from the start will notice that this volume highlights the finest, both alien and human, while disparaging the corrupt. After enjoying this morally aware addition to the series, and its many cameos by real-life figures (including Einstein, Stalin and Ribbentrop), most readers will be looking forward eagerly to the next.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Product Details

  • Mass Market Paperback: 544 pages
  • Publisher: Del Rey; 1st THUS edition (October 30, 1996)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0345402405
  • ISBN-13: 978-0345402400
  • Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #250,479 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Front Cover | First Pages | Surprise Me!
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First Sentence:
The fleetlord Atvar had convened a great many meetings of his shiplords since the Race's conquest fleet came to Tosev 3. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
little scaly devils, exalted fleetlord, landcruiser commander, assembled shiplords, emphatic cough, panzer gunner, eye turrets, conquest fleet, fancy body paint, superior sir, colonization fleet, hearing diaphragm, interrogative cough, scaly bastards, main continental mass, poultry seller, explosive metal, northern pocket, base commandant, hissing sigh, foreign commissar, vision slits, flight sergeant, consolidated high school, imperialist aggressors
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Big Uglies, Liu Han, Soviet Union, Big Ugly, United States, Nieh Ho-T'ing, Hsia Shou-Tao, Bobby Fiore, Georg Schultz, Met Lab, Aleksandr German, Basil Roundbush, Cordell Hull, General Groves, Jens Larssen, Moishe Russie, Rachel Hines, Fred Stanegate, Red Army, Big Ughes, Jerome Jones, Sam Yeager, Ken Embry, Ludmila Gorbunova, Mordechai Anielewicz
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Upsetting the Balance (Worldwar Series, Volume 3)
81% buy the item featured on this page:
Upsetting the Balance (Worldwar Series, Volume 3) 3.8 out of 5 stars (24)
$7.99
In the Balance: An Alternate History of the Second World War (Worldwar, Volume 1)
7% buy
In the Balance: An Alternate History of the Second World War (Worldwar, Volume 1) 3.7 out of 5 stars (110)
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Homeward Bound
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Homeward Bound 2.7 out of 5 stars (78)
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Striking the Balance (Worldwar Series, Volume 4)
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Striking the Balance (Worldwar Series, Volume 4) 3.6 out of 5 stars (48)
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3.8 out of 5 stars (24 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Intersting premise, interminable execution, June 16, 2000
Harry Turtledove's idea of an alien invasion caught offguard by the pace of technological change is solid and entertaining. As in the Great War series, he appears to be milking the idea for more than it is worth. His choice of short vignettes to keep the reader abreast of a wide variety of characters works, but after a few volumes seems to become counterproductive, and to make a variety of situations less distinctive. The book works because of Mr. Turtledove's thinking and in spite of his writing. His strong suit is thinking through "what ifs" to solid conclusions. To date, I have found following Mr. Turtledove's "what ifs" worth wading through an undisciplined multiplicity of subplots and endlessly, numbingly similar descriptions of combat. The decisions made on the use of atomic weapons in the book follow an interesting line; however, the vignette style leaves the actual detonations and aftermaths almost dull. Some specific quibbles with this volume: 1. The Lizards use 1990's USA technology. Judging from the descriptions in the book, Mr. Turtledove has visualized the aliens using the U.S. Army TO&E. Their air transport loads the same way as a C5, their tanks are identical, and their artillery counterbattery and submunitions capabilities were taken straight out the the U.S. Artillery field manuals. Perhaps I'm missing some subtle satire on Mr. Turtledove's part (and I concede the possibility), but equipping the Lizards with modern (read Earth) technology makes the book read like a schoolboy's fantasy of going back and rampaging through the Panzers with a good old M1 tank. That's been done before (Nimitz? Pearl Harbor?). This has the effect of taking the one or two efforts Mr. Turtledove has made to make the Lizards come alive in their own right (the implications of different sexual patterns, for example) and makes them seem contrived and tacked on. 2. No self-respecting science fiction author should ever, EVER, describe his characters as being clever because they read science fiction. Such references come across as smug and sycophantic (Hey! I'm reading science fiction! I must be smarter than the average bear, too!). No writer who reaches out from his pages and slaps the reader around with such self-referential nonsense can expect a continuing willing suspension of disbelief. In spite of all that, it's not a bad book. It's just not enough for four books. I read through to the end willingly enough; the basic premise alone was interesting enough to ensure that. The Lizards can't just leave because their women and children are committed to coming along behind; but they can't win, either. That is enough to take this book above the usual all-or-nothing space opera. It's not enough, though, to entice me to finish the series.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Alternate history combined Sci-fi at it's best, October 6, 1996
By A Customer
This review is from: Upsetting the Balance (Worldwar Series, Volume 3) (Hardcover)
Harry Turtledove has definitely found the right balance (no pun intended) between Alternate history, Sci-fi, and Military Techno-thrillers. This book (the third in a four part series) Keeps the reader constantly wondering "what's next?". In fact the unpredictability of main characters fates is what makes this story so interesting. Some hard core Sci-fi fans may find the plot and alien gee-whiz gizmos tame compared to other outer space invader novels, but for those who like Tom Clancy and Larry Bond type Military Techno thrillers, this book has action aplenty, and enough different story lines to keep readers from becoming bored. The aliens employ weaponry which seems to be based loosely on today's military technology, making it easier for average people to imagine how the stuff works. The author has also obviously done his homework on the geographical areas mentioned and the life and times of people who lived during the World War II era. The detailed way people, places, and events are described leaves little to the imagination, putting the reader right there with the characters. Overall this reviewer found this to be the best of the three novels so far, although it doesn't really stand on it's own, so the first two books in the series need to be read in order first to really appreciate it. This reader eagerly anticipates the release of the last of this four part series "Worldwar; Striking the Balance". The only negative comments about this series so far is the time between releases as another reader has already mentioned. It's probably a marketing ploy to sell as many hardbacks as possible, then bring out the new book about the same time the last one comes out in paperback. Very clever
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars The Most Realistic of the Series, July 3, 2007
By Geoff Oldham (Tell City, IN USA) - See all my reviews
As Worldwar: Upsetting the Balance opens, the Race isn't yet sure if the Soviets have another atomic bomb. But among the ramifications of the attack are an attempt led by Straha, third in command of the Race's fleet, to depose Fleetlord Atvar. When the vote fails, Straha defects to the United States and tries to persuade the Race's soldiers to give up the fight, broadcasting his rhetoric by radio.

Meanwhile, Teerts, a Race pilot held prisoner by the Japanese, escapes during an attack. Back with his own people, he reveals the details of the Japanese nuclear program, headquartered in Tokyo. In response, the Race drops its own nuclear bomb on the Japanese capital. While this cripples the Japanese effort, both the Americans and Germans are almost at the point where they can produce enough plutonium on their own to make a steady supply of atomic weapons.

The Race decides it needs to take the British out of the war, and so they invade England. In response, Churchill issues a demand that they leave or face a new weapon. The Race thinks Churchill is bluffing, only to be surprised by something they're completely unprepared for -- mustard gas. Not only do they lack the weapon themselves, they have no gas masks. And once the British start using chemical weapons, the Germans decide to deploy an even more deadly nerve gas. Until now, the Race has faced only inferior weaponry of types similar to its own. Now the war has entered a new stage.

While the war seemed rather static in the second book, major events fill Worldwar: Upsetting the Balance from the first scene. Turtledove still follows all of his major characters, depicting the war from many perspectives. But now the personal struggles are more often entwined with higher concerns, giving this volume more depth as well as more suspense.

Turtledove also returns to some humorous social commentary, something prevalent in the first book but strangely absent from the second. One sequence details the horrors experienced by one of the Race's psychologists who, as an experiment, is trying to raise a human baby. At another point, the Race's reaction to the concept of science fiction concisely illustrates the Race's views regarding the human ability to innovate.

Throughout the novel, the frustration of the Race's soldiers builds as the humans find new ways to fight them -- actually beating them in many cases. Turtledove is especially effective in portraying the reasons why the Race is reluctant to use nuclear weapons on a large scale and simply exterminate the humans. Overall, this is by far the strongest of the four novels in the series, and a victorious defense, which once seemed impossible, now seems inevitable.

I wonder now whether the whole series could have been greatly strengthened by cutting much of the second volume.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars A key piece to the puzzle is missing
To start, I greatly enjoyed this book as with its predecessors, despite the simplistic writing, great lack of world leaders' presence in the pages, and often repetitive subplot... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Andariel Halo

2.0 out of 5 stars Yamabushi's mini reviews XX
And this is where I jumped ship. Seeing 4, count `em 4 volumes left in the series and comatose plot development I could take no more. Read more
Published on February 8, 2007 by Yamabushi

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Story, But...
I've just finished this book, and plan to start the 4th in the series this evening. I love the characters and I love the storyline. Obviously, Mr. Read more
Published on February 10, 2006 by T. McIntire

4.0 out of 5 stars Marathon series continues
Turtledove keeps up the pace in this third installment of the WORLDWAR SERIES. He is able to maintain the same level of quality that was seen in the first two books from the... Read more
Published on May 27, 2005 by Stewart Teaze

4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping Reading
I remained enthralled throughout this novel, eager to know what would next transpire. Turtledove maintains commendable control over his characters, and character development, and... Read more
Published on November 14, 2004 by Jedidiah Palosaari

4.0 out of 5 stars a fascinating look at an alternate history of World War II
I have read the entire series (all four books) and recommend them highly. (Worldwar: In The Balance, Worldwar: Tilting the Balance, Worldwar: Upsetting the Balance, and Worldwar:... Read more
Published on February 21, 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb - Love this series
Excellent stuff, I love the alternate reality of this series. Excellent writing, keeps your attention. A real page-turner. Read more
Published on August 10, 2001 by James Ridgway

3.0 out of 5 stars It was ok
I love the 'World War' series. The book Upsetting the Balance was a good book but it just seemed that Mr. Turtledove wrote this one too quickly, it could use some polish. Read more
Published on November 23, 2000

4.0 out of 5 stars Slow start, but ended with a BANG! (several, actually)...
The Worldwar series is definitely getting better. There are actually some great twists and turns popping up all over the story which really kept my interest. Read more
Published on May 13, 2000 by dralthi5

4.0 out of 5 stars Morale problems among the invaders
The ginger addiction is spreading among their troops. Ironically, the stuff has some medical benefit when a member of an alien tank crew gives his wounded commander part of his... Read more
Published on March 6, 2000 by R. L. MILLER

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