Return Engagement Audiobook By Harry Turtledove cover art

Return Engagement

Settling Accounts, Book 1

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Return Engagement

By: Harry Turtledove
Narrated by: Paul Costanzo
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In 1914, they called it The Great War, and few could imagine anything worse. For nearly three decades, a peace forged in blood and fatigue has held sway in North America. Now, Japan dominates the Pacific, the Russian Tsar rules Alaska, and England, under Winston Churchill, chafes for a return to its former glory. But behind the façade of world order, America is a bomb waiting to go off. Jake Featherston, the megalomaniacal leader of the Confederate States of America, is just the man to light the fuse.

In the White House in Philadelphia, Socialist President Al Smith is a living symbol of hope for a nation that has been through the fires of war and the flood tides of depression. In the South, Featherston and his ruling Freedom Party have put down a Negro rebellion with a bloody fist and have interned them in concentration camps. Now, they are determined to crush their Northern neighbor at any cost.

©2004 Harry Turtledove (P)2016 Tantor Alternate History Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Military Science Fiction War & Military War Russia

Critic reviews

"Turtledove produces yet another absorbing installment of his character-centered alternate-history saga." ( Booklist)
Engaging Storyline • Thoughtful Alternate History • Pleasant Voice • Vivid World-building • Character-driven Narrative
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if you like alternate history, but the book is kind of long, and even though this is the first book in this series you need to listen to turtledove's other series called "Southern Victory" to understand what's going on

good series

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This is a great series. It's a great twist to the history of the U.S. vs. CSA. You will love this series.

Robert's Review

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Costanzo isn't bad, I just wish he paused longer between viewpoint characters. passages seem to run together

Costanzo is no George Guidall

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I kind a liked it though many of the stories sounded familiar. A lot is hard to believe and many things are vague. Best parts are the battles. Good narrative.

Same battles, different results

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This narrator is not as good as the one used earlier in the series and there's no escaping that. He does hit his stride a few hours in, though, and it becomes a good listen.

I have quibbles with turtledoves story and how much he seems more interested in swapping names and locations than making a new history. I'm still this far into the series and still listening to the next ones, though, so for whatever gripes I have I am still fully engaged

Narrator stumbles at first, but picks up.

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Th is narrator is a change from the preceding 7 books of the series and makes some pronunciation choices that are a little bothersome at first but ignorable. Though at one point he refers to “leed” soldiers instead of lead soldiers when referencing toys. But a minor issue at worst.

Good with a few errors

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Harry Turtledove is a Master at his craft, and while not all of the characters he creates are my favorite or interesting to me, he creates a vivid world that is very thoughtfully portrayed. If you can ignore some minor annoyances or odd things about the books (repetition, overuse of certain phrases, over explaining things etc.) the books are a wonderful read.

Wonderful book

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I've been really looking forward to settling accounts but now that I'm here Its a little underwhelming. So many books in this series and the flaws of all of them are catching up with me. I dislike a lot about how Turtledove is finishing this series. Still entertaining but too silly to really take seriously at this point.

Somewhat dissapointing

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A passable reading, but too many mispronounced words for me to ignore. Plus, this reader changes the accent of his narrating voice depending on where a scene is set, which might get him elected, but is distracting once you notice it.

I Miss George Guidall

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I think Paul Costanzo is a good storyteller but after all the prior, Guidall-read books I get lost. Hard to tell the characters apart.

Character Voices

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