Harry Turtledove's How Few Remain

How Few Remain is the first of a long series by Turtledove, in which the Confederate States of America win the Civil War because important orders issued by Robert E. Lee in this alternate universe are not intercepted by the Union. This allows Lee to avoid the defeat at Antietam, and defeat the Union in Pennsylvania, causing the British and French to recognize the C.S.A. as an independent country. How Few Remain starts off in 1881, with the C.S.A. about to purchase Mexico’s northwestern territories, which would allow the C.S.A. to extend from sea to shining sea. A woefully inexperienced U.S. war department leads the charge to start the second War Between the States against the Confederate general Stonewall Jackson, and the British and French forces in the Atlantic, Pacific and Canada. By the end of the novel, the Confederacy has defeated the Union, parts of Maine have been taken by the British, a young Teddy Roosevelt has proven himself in Montana, and the Germans have decided that the U.S.A. would prove a useful ally in future conflicts, since the U.S. is thirsting for revenge.
How Few Remain is an excellent example of what the world could have been like. When you read the first three pages, you realize that the world today rested upon that one event. One minor detail and everything changes. I enjoy the novel greatly, since many historical figures, such as Abe Lincoln, Alfred von Schlieffen, and the Indian chief Geronimo play a role in this novel. Also, the novel shows what popular political ideas were developing at the time, such as socialism, and how big industry was affecting the life of average Americans.
This novel was very informational, since a few years before, Germany won the Franco-Prussian war, which made me realize that the C.S.A. and the U.S. were metaphors to Germany and France respectively. This novel shows what the average person thought about their country, and their military strength. The Confederates/Germans were walking tall, for their victories over well established nations, while the Northerners/French were ready to take back their own, and repair their reputation.
One thing that Turtledove does very well in his novels is capture how the language is spoken. Many expressions that are never used today are prominent in the novel, giving each character a unique way of showing their side of the story. When I read form Abe Lincoln’s view point, I can almost hear the words as if he was saying them right next to me, his words in the novel are phrased exactly like his Gettysburg Address. It is an awe inspiring moment to be in the middle of one of his speeches.
How Few Remain is an excellent account of the personal side of history. While the novel’s actual events would make you fail a history test, the novel does present the inside life of people during the time period, like what their goals where, how they lived, how they spoke, and how they traveled. Also, the novel does show military tactics at their finest, and in some cases at their worst. This novel is definitely for the fans of war books and fans for the past, just for its informational value. The past may be set in stone, but it is always a good idea to take a look at what might have happened.