Colonization: Second Contact

Colonization, Book 1

By: Harry Turtledove

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

In the extraordinary World War tetralogy, set against the backdrop of World War II, Harry Turtledove, whom Publishers Weekly has called the "Hugo-winning master of alternate SF," wove an explosive saga of world powers locked in conflict against an enemy from the stars. Now he expands his magnificent epic into the volatile 1960s, when the space race is in its infancy and humanity must face its greatest challenge: alien colonization of planet Earth.

Yet even in the shadow of this inexorable foe, the United States, the Soviet Union, and Nazi Germany are unable to relinquish their hostilities and unite against a massive new wave of extraterrestrials. For all the countries of the world, this is the greatest threat of all. This time, the terrible price of defeat will be the conquest of our world and perhaps the extinction of the human race itself.

©2009 Harry Turtledove (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

“[Turtledove] develops an exciting, often surprising, story that will not only delight his fans but will probably send newcomers back to the Worldwar saga to fill in the backstory.” ( Publishers Weekly, Starred Review)

Great Book. Bad Narration

I loved the World War series, I was eager to finish every book. And when it came time for the Colonization series I was even more excited to hop right into it. I really wish Todd McLaren narrated this series as well because Patrick Lawlor was so bad. I'm sorry but its hard to enjoy a great book when the narrator makes me cringe every time I hear him. Butchered names, words, accents, hell even voice cracks from time to time. It makes me feel like I'm listening to a teenager's bad fanfiction. Like I said; Great Book, Bad Narration

Right in the Fleet Lord's face!

the change of nerrationstyle from worldwar series were unexpected, but welcome.
of all the new characters and plot elements that were introduced, I suprised myself on how quickly I took those for granted, as I got fully immerged.
The Race-variant of In der führer's face, early in the book, made me laugh for minutes nonstop. would have been better if the nerrator also sung to the tune.

The ending makes me wonder what happens next. Not the best cliffhanger ending so far, but it is a good one.

Starts strong, finished slow...

A warning to people looking at this 1st novel of a new series it gets real slow by the 4th book. if you hope that the pace will pick up in 2, 3 and 4 it won't. if you like 1 a lot then maybe you'll like the rest. You've been watned.

Arc of Kasquit & Ttolmos.

The narrator was weaker than for World War. Too much hissing. Made the choice to cough after reading that a character gave a cough. There are different coughs in the story but the narrator had just one & it was gross & also superfluous.

Slow narrator - I went to 1.2 speed & was able to puzzles .

The usual from Turtledove unpredictable action& some great characters- repetitive as usual - mark of a good teacher which he has been.

Good book not as good as worldwar

I had trouble with the narrator at first but I got used to him after a time

The narrator ruins it.

Previous 4 books in this series the narrator was excellent. I really don't know if I will finish this book let alone the next 3 with the same narrator.

Interesting

This was a decent follow up. It got a little covulated and boring at times. Needed to read for continuity.

A much needed continuation of great series.

While I really enjoyed the world war series I lamented what seemed to be a premature ending. Then I descovered this series. A precise completion of my worries and questions. Audible 20 Review Sweepstakes Entry

Different reader

Not exactly sure why they, 100 hours into a book series about the same people would change the voice work with someone who doesn’t even pronounce things correctly or even the same within one or two sentences. Calling him Stra-ya then Stra-ha. It’s just aggravating. Barely any change in his voice from a 13 year old girl who’s watched her country destroyed and a 50 year old polish Jew with a loving family. Bad work guys.

Different Narrator

Took some time to get used to the narration, but at least he pronounces Lodz correctly.