Time traveling is as good a reason as any for Robert E Lee to be holding an Uzi, as the author says, and the inherent ridiculousness of the image is tempered by the seriousness of the novel as a whole. A little history and a lot of imagination make this book an excellent read. What makes Harry Turtledove's novels great (he is also an accomplished historian when he's not writing!!) Sounds like an excuse to make a "300"-style movie, with lots of improbable action scenes and Confederate soldiers toting around modern weapons while gritting out one-liners as they mow down the Union troops. To all but a few Confederate leaders, who are told the truth, they are known as "the Rivington men" after the (fictional) North Carolina where they set up their base. Probably... A very well researched book about two societies Southern and South African. The AWB has no chance of influence over Lee, and, at the presidential inauguration on March 4, 1868, several of its members attempt to assassinate Lee. The subject matter is interesting and his military research passes muster, but political correctness clouds the rest of his narrative as Turtledove seems blithely unaware of Lincoln's support for the American Colonization Society. They manage to kill a number of prominent Confederates, including Lee's newly-inaugurated Vice President Albert G. Brown and General Jubal Early. The AWB, whose goal from the beginning had been to maintain the Confederacy as a bastion of Black oppression, feel that Lee is too soft on the question of slavery and rally behind General Nathan Bedford Forrest of the Confederate cavalry, in the hopes of electing him to office. January 1864: General Robert E. Lee faces defeat. However, the AWB have managed to secure control over an area around Rivington, due largely to elements of their advanced technology which they have not shared with Lee's men (including "land torpedoes", mortars, walkie-talkies, flak jackets, and so-called "endless repeaters", in reality belt-fed machine guns that prevented any form of massed advance on the AWB lines), and they manage to successfully repel all Confederate attempts to retake their territory. "It is absolutely unique--without question the most fascinating Civil War novel I have ever read." Gettysburg has broken the back of the Confederacy and decimated its manpower. The Confederacy, starting to reel towards defeat in the late winter of 1864, welcomes the guns and other supplies. I can barely imagine a one-off hand-crafted AK47 produced with 1860's technology, but massproduced, & with black powder ammunition? He writes that KY goes with the CSA and MO goes with the USA. [One of my big arguments with this book is that after the war the 2 border states KY. and MO. The Guns of the South is a Science Fiction Alternate History novel by Harry Turtledove, set during the American Civil War.. Winter of 1863. "Guns of the South" is a GREAT novel - a "stand-alone" novel dealing with an "alternate history" of the US Civil War with a generous dose of science-fiction thrown in!! Today, the Just Cause is dominant, certainly among academics and journalists. Lee orders the Confederate army against the AWB. Am I a bad history grad student for reading this? Ah, those halcyon days of 2014, when we had invented time travel...to be fair, this book is from 1992, so one should not be too harsh. The Guns of the South Harry Turtledove, Author Ballantine Books $19 (516p) ISBN 978-0-345-37675-6. After the completion of the negotiations, voting, and political conversation — during which a minor incident occurs where two members of the AWB are caught by Union Election Observers attempting to smuggle AK-47s into the disputed states — referenda are held. To be honest, it's not even well-done; he's gripping it all weird and it just kind of looks like shit. The Army of Northern Virginia is ragged and ill-equpped. This is a great book. About The Guns of the South "It is absolutely unique–without question the most fascinating Civil War novel I have ever read." The Army of Northern Virginia is ragged and ill-equipped. The most concerning thing for parents is probably the ext. This is the one book to read if to read alternative history. Time-traveling future racists give past racists advanced weaponry so that racism may prosper. President Lincoln appoints Secretary of State William H. Seward, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton and Major General Benjamin Butler. Can anyone comment on the content of this book from a 'Parental Guidance' standpoint? A minor effect - but very important to Lee himself - is the introduction of nitroglycerin from the future, helping to stave off Lee's heart disease and possibly grant him a longer life than he had in the original history. This is an update 8/17/15. The Guns of the South is a Science Fiction Alternate History novel by Harry Turtledove, set during the American Civil War. Based on the novel by Harry Turtle Dove. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published The story deals with a group of time-traveling Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging members from 2014, led by Andries Rhoodie, who wish to alter the outcome of the Civil War and, as a result, ensure the success of their own cause in the future. Harry Turtledove, Guns of the South (Del Rey, 1992). The most concerning thing for parents is probably the extremely common usage of the 'n-word'. Whilst the amateur historian in me doesn't buy all of Turtledove's conclusions, primarily the notion that the Southern states would have quickly thrown of. The Army of Northern Virginia is ragged and ill-equpped. The Guns of the South is a novel by writer Harry Turtledove. Well, "picked up" is misleading...I actually had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Turtledove for half a minute at a Comic Con in San Diego many moons ago. The basic plot of The Guns of the South covers the arrival of a mysterious bunch of men from Rivington (a fictional town in Virginia, USA) in General Lee’s camp in early 1864. Well this for Nate, and Derek its bloody good. January 1864: General Robert E. Lee faces defeat. Kentucky and Missouri are to hold state-wide referendum votes to determine which nation they will join. PUBLISHERS WEEKLY AUG 31, 1992. The wonderful thing about alternate history is it challenges you to become more informed about the original history, which I have done as I read this slow-moving but ultimately satisfying Civil War tale of the 19th century Confederacy gaining access to 20th century weapons: AK-47 machine guns. Lee is presented by a soldier named Melvin Bean with a book from the future that Bean stole from a Rivington man - The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War - proving that the Rivington men lied about the catastrophes which they claimed lay in wait for the South if it lost the war. The Army of Northern Virginia is ragged and ill-equpped. But, is this not just another reminder of how absolutely disappointing the future, by which I mean, 2020, has turned out to be? To all but a few Confederate leaders, who are told the truth, they are known as "the Rivington men" after the (fiction… Kentucky chooses to join the Confederacy while Missouri chooses to remain with the Union. Then Andries Rhoodie, a strange man with an unplaceable accent, approaches Lee with an extraordinary … The Army of Northern Virginia is in winter quarters at Orange Court House, trying to deal with its massive supply problems, when, one day, General Lee is approached by a strange man with a strange name, Andries Rhoodie. The cover has Robert E. Lee with an Ak-47 so you know it isn't your standard book. It is an alternate history story, with an undercurrent of science fiction, set during the American Civil War, called the Second American Revolution in this version. Turtledove makes a convincing case to support the notion the only thing that might have swung the balance in the favour of the Confederacy would have been the introduction of something as radically game-changing as the AK-47. "Professor James M. McPhersonPultizer Prize-winning BATTLE CRY OF FREEDOMJanuary 1864—General Robert E. Lee faces defeat. The good part of the book is in its action and use of viewpoint characters. are so distasteful, that the anti-slavery argument is too heavy-handed, though the historical aspects, especially the battles, are handled with aplomb and subtlety. One the best alt history books out there. (I know, that's pretty shocking, since his name is practically synonymous with the sub-genre in U.S. book circles!) Gettysburg has broken the back of the Confederacy and decimated its manpower. Harry Turtledove, American alternate history novelist, wrote the 1992 novel The Guns of the South in which time-traveling South African white nationalists successfully re-arm the Confederate States Army with AK-47 assault rifles in early 1864, thus enabling the Confederacy to rout Union forces in every land campaign of the year. Came for the AK-47, stayed for the detailed reimagining of the war’s political aftermath. Read this book using Google Play Books app on your PC, android, iOS devices. The Guns of the South is a Science Fiction Alternate History novel by Harry Turtledove, set during The American Civil War. Dr Harry Norman Turtledove is an American novelist, who has produced a sizeable number of works in several genres including alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy and science fiction. After the capture of the AWB's Richmond offices, Lee presents before the Confederate leadership all the historical documents that the men from the future used to inform themselves of the events of the present time. But I've recognized this novel as a must-read for years, and finally decided (long story!) Well, "picked up" is misleading...I actually had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Turtledove for half a minute at a Comic Con in San Diego many moons ago. Fascinating concept, mediocre storytelling (the first 200 pages were a total slog). He signed a copy to me and my (then) boyfriend, and I happily walked away. President Davis makes clear his wish that Lee be the next man to hold the position. (I know, that's pretty shocking, since his name is practically synonymous with the sub-genre in U.S. book circles!) Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read The Guns of the South: A Novel. I wasn't able to pick it up for a few years - I had tried once, but couldn't get past the first chapter - but when. Alternate history fans who can stomach depictions of racism and racist language, Despite my fondness for alternate history, I've never gotten around to reading much of it, and Harry Turtledove's work in the field was virgin territory to me until I read this book. Half masturbatory Robert E. Lee fanfic, half apologia for the South... Turtledove has a unique way of blending science fiction with history. Then, Andries Rhoodie, a strange man with an unplaceable accent, approaches Lee with an extraordinary offer. Rhoodie demonstrates an amazing rifle: Its rate of fire is incredible, its lethal efficiency breathtaking--and Rhoodie guarantees unlimited quantitites to the Confederates. I have grave doubts that The Guns of the South would be published today by a major corporation. The story deals with a group of time-traveling Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging members from 2014, led by Andries Rhoodie, who wish to alter the outcome of the Civil War and, as a result, ensure the success of their own cause in the future. Lee is one of two POV characters in the novel, the other being Nathaniel "Nate" Caudell, a North Carolinian schoolmaster who served in Lee's army during the war. The man was inarguably a horrible, murderous racist and the way Turtledove handled him was so bizarre...it was like the first half of the novel he's predictably an asshole and villain character and then suddenly he's this awesome hero General and leads everyone to victory? Gettysburg has broken the back of the Confederacy and decimated its manpower. The best evil-racists-from-the-future-supply-AK47s-to-the-South-so-they-can-win-the-Civil-War novel I have read. Throw in a good review from one of my friends on the site and it was an easy three or four dollars to spend, even though I swear the young lady that ran, I stumbled across this book while prowling around this very site and was instantly captivated by the cover; I mean, it's a picture of famous Confederate General Robert E. Lee holding one of the most recognizable firearms of our time--the AK-47. It weaves a story around a fascinating premise: ‘What if time travellers gave the Confederate States modern assault rifles?’ The Guns of the South: Logline An intriguing novel that has time-traveling apartheid terrorists go back in time to supply the Confederate army with AK-47s and keep white supremacy alive into their day so that they're not isolated when their government comes under pressure in the early 21st century. Even though a Confederate victory via time travel is far fetched, it isn't the main part of the book. The Guns of the South by Harry Turtledove, 1992, Ballantine Books edition, in English - 1st ed. My initial reaction: it is an implausible plot that borders on laughable. Such is not to be. A seminal work in alternative history dealing with that old chestnut: what if the South had won the American Civil War? The bill itself was modeled after a proposed act of legislation in slave-holding Brazil, though the real bill was not proposed until years after the setting of the novel, and Turtledove has conceded that it is, indeed, anachronistic. CS President Jefferson Davis appoints Vice President Alexander Stephens, Secretary of State Judah Benjamin and General Lee. The Guns of the South by Harry Turtledove, narrated by Paul Costanzo. All his other time-travel works are short stories, plus one novel, The plot element of Robert E. Lee becoming president of a victorious CSA was used in two iconic alternate histories: Ward Moore's. I avoided reading it, only to decide in 2019 to see how Turtledove approached the subject in 1992. Lee's army defeats the Union again at the Battle of Bealeton in Virginia, crosses the Potomac River, and in a daring night battle, captures Washington City. To be honest, it's not even well-done; he's gripping it all weird and it just kind of looks like shit. With the view of hindsight, which is always 20/20, they see how the issue of slavery is near-universally reviled in the future and that, where they had hoped to be vindicated for their actions by their descendants, almost the entire world viewed the Civil War and Southern Secession to be nothing more than a crime against humanity itself. A seminal work in alternative history dealing with that old chestnut: what if the South had won the American Civil War? "It is absolutely unique—without question the most fascinating Civil War novel I have ever read. Rhoodie surrenders, but is killed by one of his slaves in retaliation for severe mistreatment. The Guns of the South by Harry Turtledove, September 1, 1993, Del Rey … The Army of Northern Virginia is ragged and ill-equpped. This was the first Harry Turtledove book I ever picked up. would rise rather sharply. Forrest and Wigfall received 50 electoral votes from these six states. 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