Videssos Besieged by Harry Turtledove

The conclusion of The Time of Troubles series, this book wraps up the loose ends and brings closure to the protagonists. Of course closure is relative when dealing with Turtledove, your never sure what might come next. The 4th and final book is told from Maniakes’, the Videssosian Avtokrator, point of view. The every other book shift in bias from Abivard, the general, to Maniakes provides ample opportunity to ponder how point of view mandates decisions. The story, again, if very good and the premise provides a banquet of food for thought. A well done series.

Body of work of Harry Turtledove

Review of the book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/product/0345402995?filterBy=addFiveStar

Site: http://www.sfsite.com/~silverag/turtledove.html

Hammer and Anvil by Harry Turtledove (Book II of The Time of Troubles Series)

Turtledove is a master of alternative history. This is the second book in the Time of Troubles Series which deals with a Byzantine Empire time period. The first book dealt with the barbarous hill people and their conflict with the Empire and the nomadic tribes. The perspective was from the hill people’s point of view. This book deals with the Videssosian Emperor and his point of view. The empire is beset by the barbarous hill people and the nefarious and treacherous nomadic Kubratoi. Turtledove delves deeply into the motivations of the Emperor, his personal relationships and the impact of cultural clashes. Sounds boring and certainly isn’t. Turtledove writes about believable circumstances and characters, well worth the read.

Body of work of Harry Turtledove

Site: http://www.sfsite.com/~silverag/turtledove.html

Review: http://www.sfsite.com/~silverag/hammer.html