Upsetting the Balance (Worldwar Series, Volume 3)

by Harry Turtledove

1996

Status

Available

Publication

Del Rey (1996), 544 pages

Description

Russia, Communist China, Japan, Nazi Germany, the United States: they began World War II as mortal enemies. But suddenly their only hope for survival--never mind victory--was to unite to stop a mighty foe--one whose frightening technology appeared invincible. Far worse beings than the Nazis were loose. From Warsaw to Moscow to China's enemy-occupied Forbidden City, the nations of the world had been forced into an uneasy alliance since humanity began its struggle against overwhelming odds. In Germany, where the banshee wail of hostile jets screamed across the land, caches of once-forbidden weapons were unearthed, and unthinkable tactics were employed against the enemy. Brilliantly innovative military strategists confronted challenges unprecedented in the history of warfare. Even as lack of fuel forced people back to horse and carriage, physicists worked feverishly to create the first nuclear bombs--with horrifying results. City after city joined the atomic pyre as the planet erupted in fiery ruins. Yet the crisis continued--on land, sea, and in the air--as humanity writhed in global combat. The tactics of daredevil guerrillas everywhere became increasingly ingenious against a superior foe whose desperate retaliation would grow ever more fearsome. No one had ever put the United States, or the world, in such deadly danger. But if the carnage and annihilation ever stopped, would there be any pieces to pick up?… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member John5918
A fascinating scenario where aliens invade during World War II, leading to a fragile alliance between all the major combatants to resist the new common enemy.

This is by far the most readable of the series so far. With the first two I struggled a bit - at times they were slow-moving and turgid. I
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found this one very fast-moving and could hardly put it down.

This one has more action in Britain. Generally the books seem to be very well researched, but there are a few small errors which grate a bit. Turtledove introduces a Royal Air Force "Flight Officer", whereas unless I'm mistaken the RAF rank is "Flying Officer". He has a BBC newsreader use the word "momentarily" in the US way, meaning "very soon", whereas in British usage momentarily means "for an instant or moment" or "for a very short time" - the BBC in that era were sticklers for correct grammar and pronunciation. These are small things in themselves, but they niggle precisely because so much else is correct. I wonder whether Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Polish and Russian readers would also find similar things? Turtledove enters a minefield when he starts using British regional accents, but seems to have got away with it.

There's a nice little dig at Pope Pius X11 right near the end, quite insightful really considering a lot of recent speculation about the extent of his collaboration with the Nazis in the real war.

All in all, a very good book, by far the best of the series so far.
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LibraryThing member john257hopper
I thought the first half of this was starting to pall and lacked the excitement of the first two books. There were too many set piece battles, not enough plot. I got a bit irritated by the endless repetition - banging on over and over again about the Race's conservatism and slow adaptations to
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technology compared to that of humans, and the way ginger distorts their judgement but leaves then thinking it enhances it. The plot did pick up though and the tit for tat atomic bomb blasts quite chilling. The twist at the end bodes well for a more interesting fourth volume.
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LibraryThing member SonicQuack
Turtledove's alternate-history-by-numbers continues with the third of the WorldWar series. This chunky tome continues to follow the diverse set of people across the Superpowers as they defend themselves from oppression. The aliens too are struggling to find the resources necessary to fight a
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prolonged war, light years from home. The story's perspective sways from alien to human throughout the novel, each chapter detailing the horrors of war on our planet. There's no conclusion here, as expected in a middle chapter, however very few of the characters achieve much throughout this book, which ultimately makes it hard going. The final quarter holds some unexpected turns which ensure readers will see it through and return for more.
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LibraryThing member dswaddell
The sagga continues as the earth forces strive to block the lizards from taking over the earth. A good enjoyable read.
LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
the third book in the Worldwar series is better than the second, IMO and character development, not a HTD highpoint, is a great deal better than his other casts. By now we've had a chance to live with this group. The research is of a high standard, and the widening war is well portrayed.
LibraryThing member kslade
Another good vol. in this series. Very readable.

Awards

Sidewise Award (Finalist — 1996)

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

1996-01-01

Physical description

544 p.; 4.2 inches

ISBN

0345402405 / 9780345402400

Barcode

1601275
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