Turtledove continues this alternate history series, which kicked off with Opening Atlantis, that places everything east of the Mississippi River as a separate continent in this volume. The Radcliffe/Radcliff family that has played such a major role in settling the large island since the 1500s continues to have a big influence as the colonist feel a need to throw off the yoke of British oppression because they are feeling as if they are being unfairly taxed.

Victor Radcliff, who has some previous military experience along sign the Brits in the form of General Howe during their battles with the southern French colonies years earlier. Now, he has been asked by the colonial leadership to command the armies of Atlantis in their fight. The British army is to be led by General Howe (and later General Cornwallis). It creates and interesting relationship between the leaderships, which was probably not all that different as those during our own Revolution in which our military leaders probably had experience with the British commanders during the French and Indian Wars.

This book is different than its predecessor in that rather than spanning hundreds of years, the whole book focuses on just the Revolutionary period. This allows the readers to get to know the primary characters as being more than historical "greats." Victor is joined by the African American former slave and his good friend Blaise.

Turtledove does a wonderful job of presenting the complexities of war during the time period as well as highlighting the horrible results of the weaponry. Thomas Paine, the Marquis de la Fayette, Baron de Stael, and a number of other real historical personages make appearances as well as a number of people that could recall Benjamin Franklin and Benedict Arnold can be seen.

As with most of Turtledove's books, it is fun to see how history could have been different, but it really excels by presenting the events from the perspectives of his protagonists. Readers get to experience the history through these characters.