- Joined
- Jun 8, 2001
- Messages
- 160
I just finished a book by S.M. Stirling, "The Peshawar Lancers". One type of fiction that I like is alternative history. The background to the story is a spray of large meteors hit the Earth in 1878, causing massive damage to the Northern Hemisphere including Europe and America. Millions died and a nuclear winter caused massive starvation in Europe. England, with a relatively intact naval fleet, moves the majority of it's people to other portions of the British Empire, with the Crown and majority of the Upper Crust moved to India.
This book takes place in the year 2025, with steamships, dirigibles (filled with hydrogen), bolt action rifles, and an analytical engine (3 story tall, mechanical computer) being the height of technology. The story is a mixture of Kipling and Indiana Jones, interesting and action packed.
It follows a young Lancer officer and his Sikh sargent/bodyguard as they try to unravel why every assassin around is targeting them. Lots of intrigue and action.
I am bringing this up, because the book features a great many knives and swords, with some great action scenes. It includes tulwars, choras, and of course, khukuris wielded by the Ghurkas who are portrayed really well, honorable and loyal, striking fear into their enemies. A couple of great scenes where they are fighting alongside or defending royalty.
The author really does a great job on blending the British and Indian cultures. After so many generations the society is a mix of the two peoples, very well done and quite interesting. I highly recommend picking this book up and giving it a read.
Wolvesclaw
This book takes place in the year 2025, with steamships, dirigibles (filled with hydrogen), bolt action rifles, and an analytical engine (3 story tall, mechanical computer) being the height of technology. The story is a mixture of Kipling and Indiana Jones, interesting and action packed.
It follows a young Lancer officer and his Sikh sargent/bodyguard as they try to unravel why every assassin around is targeting them. Lots of intrigue and action.
I am bringing this up, because the book features a great many knives and swords, with some great action scenes. It includes tulwars, choras, and of course, khukuris wielded by the Ghurkas who are portrayed really well, honorable and loyal, striking fear into their enemies. A couple of great scenes where they are fighting alongside or defending royalty.
The author really does a great job on blending the British and Indian cultures. After so many generations the society is a mix of the two peoples, very well done and quite interesting. I highly recommend picking this book up and giving it a read.
Wolvesclaw