A Review of Homeward Bound by Harry Turtledove: An Epic and Creative Alternate History Novel
Turtledove Homeward Bound Epub Books: A Review of the Epic Alternate History Novel
If you are a fan of alternate history novels, you might have heard of Harry Turtledove, one of the most prolific and acclaimed writers in this genre. His WorldWar and Colonization series, which spanned eight books, imagined what would have happened if an alien race invaded Earth during World War II and changed the course of history. The final book in this series, Homeward Bound, was published in 2004 and concluded the saga with a stunning and surprising twist. In this article, we will review Homeward Bound by Harry Turtledove and tell you why you should read it. We will also show you how you can get this book in epub format, which is a convenient and flexible way to enjoy ebooks.
turtledove homeward bound epub books
What is Homeward Bound by Harry Turtledove?
Homeward Bound is the eighth and last book in the WorldWar and Colonization series by Harry Turtledove. It is a sequel to Aftershocks, which ended with a truce between the human nations and the alien invaders, known as the Race. However, the truce was uneasy and fragile, as both sides harbored resentment and distrust towards each other. Moreover, the humans had developed nuclear technology ahead of schedule, thanks to the alien intervention, and were determined to explore the secrets of the universe.
The plot summary of Homeward Bound
The story of Homeward Bound begins in the 21st century, when a group of humans embark on a daring mission to reach the home planet of the Race, called Home. They use a spaceship that was captured from the aliens during the war, and hope to learn more about their enemies and their culture. However, their arrival on Home sparks a crisis that could lead to the annihilation of Earth or Home or both. The humans find themselves in a strange and hostile world, where they have to deal with political intrigues, cultural clashes, and personal conflicts. Meanwhile, on Earth, the tensions between the human nations and the Race escalate as they compete for resources and influence. The fate of two planets hangs in the balance as the humans and the aliens face their ultimate challenge.
The main characters of Homeward Bound
Homeward Bound features a large cast of characters, both human and alien, who represent different perspectives and experiences in this alternate history. Some of them are:
Sam Yeager: A former baseball player who became an expert on the Race after being captured by them during the war. He is one of the crew members of the spaceship that travels to Home, where he acts as a diplomat and a translator.
Kassquit: A human female who was raised by the Race since childhood. She is loyal to her adoptive parents, but also curious about her biological heritage. She joins Yeager on his journey to Home, where she faces discrimination and prejudice from both sides.
Atvar: The fleetlord of the Race who led the invasion of Earth. He is a conservative and cautious leader, who tries to maintain the status quo and avoid war. He is also frustrated by the human resistance and innovation, which challenge his authority and worldview.
Straha: A former shiplord of the Race who defected to the United States during the war. He is a rebel and a visionary, who advocates for change and cooperation with the humans. He is also the commander of the spaceship that goes to Home, where he hopes to find allies and supporters.
The themes and messages of Homeward Bound
Homeward Bound is a novel that explores the consequences of war, the nature of culture, and the possibility of coexistence. Some of the themes and messages that it conveys are:
War is a destructive and wasteful force that harms both sides and creates lasting scars. The novel shows the horrors and costs of war, both on Earth and on Home, and how it affects the lives and societies of the humans and the aliens.
Culture is a complex and dynamic phenomenon that shapes and reflects the identity and values of a group. The novel depicts the contrast and similarity between the human and the alien cultures, and how they influence their behavior and decisions. It also shows how culture can evolve and adapt over time, especially in response to external challenges.
Coexistence is a difficult but desirable goal that requires mutual understanding and respect. The novel illustrates the challenges and opportunities of coexistence, both on Earth and on Home, and how it depends on the willingness and ability of both sides to communicate and compromise. It also suggests that coexistence is not a static or final state, but a dynamic and ongoing process.
Why should you read Homeward Bound by Harry Turtledove?
Homeward Bound is a novel that offers a lot of benefits for readers who enjoy alternate history novels. Some of these benefits are:
The benefits of reading alternate history novels
Alternate history novels are a type of speculative fiction that imagine what would have happened if some historical events had turned out differently. They are a great way to:
Learn about history: Alternate history novels can help you learn about history by showing you how certain events or factors influenced the course of history, and how changing them could have led to different outcomes. They can also inspire you to research more about the real history behind the fiction.
Exercise your imagination: Alternate history novels can stimulate your imagination by presenting you with scenarios that are different from reality, but plausible and consistent within their own logic. They can also challenge you to think about how you would react or behave in such situations.
Explore different perspectives: Alternate history novels can expose you to different perspectives by portraying characters who have different backgrounds, beliefs, and motivations from yours. They can also encourage you to empathize with them and understand their choices and actions.
The strengths and weaknesses of Homeward Bound
Homeward Bound is a novel that has many strengths and some weaknesses as an alternate history novel. Some of these are:
Strengths:
It is well-researched and detailed: The novel shows a lot of research and knowledge about history, science, politics, and culture. It provides a lot of details and descriptions that make the story realistic and immersive.
It is epic and ambitious: The novel covers a long span of time, from World War II to the 21st century, and a large scope of space, from Earth to Home. It also involves a lot of characters, events, and themes that make the story complex and rich.
It is creative and original: The novel introduces an original premise, that of an alien invasion during World War II, and develops it in an interesting and surprising way. It also creates a unique alien race, with its own biology, psychology, culture, and history.
Weaknesses:
It is long and slow-paced: The novel is over 800 pages long, which might be too much for some readers. It also has a slow pace, which might make some parts boring or tedious.
It is repetitive and predictable: The novel repeats some information or scenes that have already been shown or explained before. It also follows some patterns or clichés that make some outcomes or twists predictable or obvious.
It is biased and simplistic: The novel favors some characters or viewpoints over others, which might make it biased or unfair. It also simplifies some issues or conflicts, which might make it unrealistic or shallow.
The comparison of Homeward Bound with other works by Harry Turtledove
Homeward Bound is one of the many works by Harry Turtledove, who is considered to be the master of alternate history novels. He has written dozens of books and series that explore different scenarios and timelines, such as:
The Southern Victory series: This series imagines what would have happened if the Confederate States of America had won the American Civil War and remained independent. It follows the history of North America from 1862 to 1945, as the two rival nations face each other in several wars and conflicts.
The Worldwar series: This series is the predecessor of Homeward Bound, and depicts the events of the alien invasion of Earth during World War II. It shows how the human nations and the Race fight for control of the planet, and how their interaction changes both sides.
The Crosstime Traffic series: This series is a young adult science fiction series that features a future where humans can travel to parallel universes where history diverged at some point. It follows the adventures of various characters who work for Crosstime Traffic, a company that exploits these alternate worlds for profit.
These are just some examples of Harry Turtledove's works, which cover a wide range of topics and genres. If you enjoy Homeward Bound, you might want to check out his other books and series as well.
How can you get Homeward Bound by Harry Turtledove in epub format?
If you want to read Homeward Bound by Harry Turtledove on your electronic device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or e-reader, you might want to get it in epub format. Epub is a popular and widely supported format for ebooks, which has many advantages over other formats. In this section, we will explain what epub is, how you can download Homeward Bound in epub format, and how you can read it on your device.
The definition and advantages of epub format
Epub stands for electronic publication, and it is a standard format for ebooks that was developed by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF). Epub files have the extension .epub, and they are composed of HTML, CSS, XML, and other files that are compressed into a single file. Some of the advantages of epub format are:
It is compatible with most devices and platforms: Epub files can be read by most e-readers, such as Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader, etc., as well as by most smartphones, tablets, and computers. You can also use various apps or software to open epub files on your device.
It is flexible and adaptable: Epub files can adjust to different screen sizes and orientations, as well as to different fonts and styles. You can also customize your reading experience by changing the text size, color, brightness, layout, etc.
It is interactive and multimedia: Epub files can include images, audio, video, hyperlinks, annotations, bookmarks, etc., that enhance your reading experience. You can also access additional information or resources by clicking on links or references within the text.
The sources and methods of downloading Homeward Bound in epub format
If you want to get Homeward Bound by Harry Turtledove in epub format, you have several options to choose from. Some of these are:
Buy it from an online bookstore: You can buy Homeward Bound in epub format from various online bookstores that sell ebooks, such as Amazon Kindle Store, Kobo Store, Barnes & Noble Nook Store, etc. You will need to create an account and pay for the ebook using your credit card or other payment methods. You will then be able to download the ebook to your device or cloud storage.
Borrow it from an online library: You can borrow Homeward Bound in epub format from various online libraries that lend ebooks, such as OverDrive, Hoopla, Libby, etc. You will need to have a library card from a participating library and create an account on the website or app. You will then be able to borrow the ebook for a limited period of time and download it to your device or cloud storage.
Download it from an online archive: You can download Homeward Bound in epub format from various online archives that offer free ebooks, such as Project Gutenberg, Internet Archive, Open Library, etc. You will not need to create an account or pay for the ebook, but you might have to deal with some ads or pop-ups. You will then be able to download the ebook to your device or cloud storage.
The tips and precautions for reading Homeward Bound in epub format
If you have downloaded Homeward Bound by Harry Turtledove in epub format, you can start reading it on your device. However, there are some tips and precautions that you should keep in mind to ensure a smooth and enjoyable reading experience. Some of these are:
Choose a suitable app or software: Depending on your device and preference, you might want to use a different app or software to read epub files. Some of the popular ones are Calibre, Adobe Digital Editions, FBReader, Moon+ Reader, etc. You can also use the default app or software that comes with your device or platform, such as iBooks, Google Play Books, etc.
Transfer the file to your device: Depending on the source and method of downloading Homeward Bound, you might need to transfer the file to your device using a USB cable, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cloud storage, etc. You might also need to convert the file to a compatible format using an online converter or a software like Calibre.
Manage your storage space: Epub files are usually small in size, but they can still take up some space on your device or cloud storage. You might want to delete or move some files that you don't need or have already read to free up some space. You might also want to backup your files to avoid losing them in case of damage or theft.
Respect the author's rights: Epub files are protected by copyright laws and digital rights management (DRM) systems that prevent unauthorized copying, sharing, or modifying of the files. You should respect the author's rights and only use the files for personal and non-commercial purposes. You should also avoid downloading or distributing pirated or illegal files that might harm your device or expose you to legal risks.
Conclusion
Homeward Bound by Harry Turtledove is an epic and creative alternate history novel that concludes the WorldWar and Colonization series. It follows the adventures of a group of humans who travel to the home planet of the alien invaders who attacked Earth during World War II. It explores the themes of war, culture, and coexistence in a complex and realistic way. If you want to read this novel on your electronic device, you can get it in epub format from various sources and methods. You can also enjoy the benefits of epub format, such as compatibility, flexibility, and interactivity. However, you should also follow some tips and precautions to ensure a smooth and enjoyable reading experience. We hope this article has helped you learn more about Homeward Bound by Harry Turtledove and how to get it in epub format.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Homeward Bound by Harry Turtledove and epub format:
Q: Is Homeward Bound a standalone novel or part of a series?
A: Homeward Bound is part of a series called WorldWar and Colonization, which consists of eight books in total. It is the last book in the series and follows Aftershocks. It is recommended to read the previous books before reading Homeward Bound, as they provide the background and context for the story.
Q: How long is Homeward Bound by Harry Turtledove?
A: Homeward Bound by Harry Turtledove is about 832 pages long, according to Amazon Kindle Store. The length may vary depending on the format, edition, or device that you use.
Q: What is the difference between epub and pdf formats?
A: Epub and pdf are two common formats for ebooks, but they have some differences. Epub is a format that is designed for ebooks, while pdf is a format that is designed for documents. Epub files are more flexible and adaptable than pdf files, as they can adjust to different screen sizes and orientations, as well as to different fonts and styles. Pdf files are more fixed and rigid than epub files, as they preserve the original layout and appearance of the document.
Q: Where can I find more books by Harry Turtledove?
A: You can find more books by Harry Turtledove on his official website, where you can browse his bibliography by series, genre, or year. You can also find his books on various online bookstores, libraries, or archives that sell or lend ebooks, such as Amazon Kindle Store, Kobo Store, Barnes & Noble Nook Store, OverDrive, Hoopla, Libby, Project Gutenberg, Internet Archive, Open Library, etc.
Q: How can I contact Harry Turtledove or give him feedback?
A: You can contact Harry Turtledove or give him feedback through his email address, which is turtledove@stevenhsilver.com. You can also follow him on Twitter or Facebook, where he posts updates and interacts with his fans.
: https://www.amazon.com/Homeward-Bound-Harry-Turtledove-ebook/dp/B000FC0Z0O : https://www.kobo.com/ww/en/ebook/homeward-bound-21 : https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/homeward-bound-harry-turtledove/1100292499 : https://www.overdrive.com/media/120560/homeward-bound : https://news.yahoo.com/nuclear-fusion-breakthrough-reactor-runs-130157687.html : http://www.stevenhsilver.com/turtledove.html : https://twitter.com/HNTurtledove : https://www.facebook.com/HarryTurtledoveAuthor 71b2f0854b