Book Review and Feature: A New Birth of Freedom: The Translator

This is an entertaining and fascinating blend of history and time travel fiction.

A New Birth of Freedom The Translator

by Robert G. Pielke

• File Size: 668 KB
• Print Length: 394 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press LLC (November 1, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00A0BTCO4

Genre: Alternate History, Time Travel
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 1, 2012
THIS IS BOOK TWO OF THE TRILOGY:

Noam Chomsky argues that communication with aliens would be impossible. Stephen Hawking argues that it would be extremely unwise even to try. What if it were absolutely necessary to do so? This question arises with extreme urgency at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, in this time-travel, alternate-history trilogy, A New Birth of Freedom.
impossible. Stephen Hawking argues that it would be extremely unwise even to try. What if it were absolutely necessary to do so? This question arises with extreme urgency at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, in this time-travel, alternate-history trilogy, A New Birth of Freedom.

Review:
This is book two of a trilogy and I recommend reading the first book, A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor, so you have the full background. Book one introduces Edwin Blair as a history professor in the 23rd century whose world has been annihilated by alien invaders.  Blair, with the help of scientists, manages to get one of the creature’s time travel devices working. He has traveled back in time to meet President Lincoln with plans to kill the brutal "Pests" before they can destroy his world.

Book two picks up several weeks after Blair has interrupted events at Gettysburg.  Fourteen of the “Pests” are prisoners while another 50 remain locked in their vehicles.  John Hay has been assigned to journal Blair’s actions and interactions with the Pests. Hay and the journals will also help Blair as his memory becomes more and more unreliable as he stays in the past and possibly impacts history.

Blair and Hay are part of the daily morning meetings with President Lincoln, his Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, Congressman Elihu Washburne, and bodyguard Allen Pinkerton. Lincoln sorts and deals with couriered news as the men discuss the war events and public sentiments. Blair and Hay give daily reports regarding the efforts of communicating with the Pests. Initial efforts were with the aid of Joseph Pierce using sign language and then morse code. Finally the expected ‘translator’ and Apache expert, William Philo Clark, and an accompanying Indian, Goyahkla, arrive to help in a surprising way.

This book gives a wonderful view of Lincoln as he shares stories as means of imparting wisdom. He also shifts easily into lawyer interrogation mode. The other men are also brought to life through glimpses of their personalities. Real events of the Civil War are incorporated but many are twisted in the alternate history, such as General Lee’s letter of resignation being depicted as part of his retiring from the war after Gettysburg.

Blair begins to experience headaches, light flashes and memory loss. He realizes he is walking a tight line as he wants to change the past enough to stop the future destruction by the Pests but he can’t change too much or he might not even exist to return. This is not an action story but one of interesting characters, small mysteries requiring logic and deductive reasoning, and ponderings on issues of humanity as well as difficulties of time travel. Mr. Pielke does a good job of exploring the many paradox and contradictions that could result from time travel to the past.

I experienced some confusion as the backstory is filled in all the way through rather than at the beginning of the book. It might be easier to read the books closer than two years apart as I did and reading this second book without reading the first would not give a full picture of the dilemma that develops for Blair.  I really enjoy the historical aspects of this series and the time travel dilemmas. The ending is another cliffhanger that has you waiting for the last book to complete the adventure. I recommend this to those who enjoy Civil War history and time travel issues.

I received a digital galley of this book for an honest review as part of a Tribute Book Tour.

Check the full tour schedule for other reviews and Giveaway opportunities!

Excerpt Link to Prologue:
http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/ANewBirthOfFreedom_RobertPielke.shtml

Robert G. Pielke's Web Site:
http://www.robertgpielke.com/
 

Robert G. Pielke's Bio:

Robert Pielke, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, now lives in Claremont, California. He earned a B.A. in History at the University of Maryland, an M. Div. in Systematic Theology at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, and a Ph.D. in Social Ethics from the Claremont Graduate School.

He taught on ground and online for countless years at George Mason University in Virginia, El Camino College in California and online for the University of Phoenix. Now happily retired from “the job,” he is doing what he always wanted to do since he wrote his first novel at ten in elementary school. It was one paragraph, three pages long and, although he didn’t know it at the time, it was alternate history.

His academic writings have been in the area of ethics, including a boring academic treatise called Critiquing Moral Arguments, logic, and popular culture. Included in the latter is an analysis of rock music entitled You Say You Want a Revolution: Rock Music in American Culture. He has also published short stories, feature articles, film and restaurant reviews. His novels include a savagely satirical novel on America and its foibles, proclivities and propensities, Hitler the Cat Goes West, and an alternate history, science fiction novel, The Mission.

Most recently, he has updated and revised his book on rock music, which is being republished by McFarland & Co.

He swims daily, skis occasionally, cooks as an avocation, watches innumerable movies, collects rock and roll concert films, is an avid devotee of Maryland crabs and maintains a rarely visited blog filled with his social and political ravings. His favorite film is the original Hairspray; his favorite song is “A Day in the Life”; his favorite pizza is from the original Ledo Restaurant in College Park, MD; and he is a firm believer in the efficacy of “sex, drugs and rock and roll.” Somehow his family and friends put up with him.

BUY LINKS:
Amazon paperback buy link ($16.95):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1611605423?tag=tributebooks-20

Whiskey Creek Press paperback buy link ($16.95):
http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1058&zenid=b7536170f2c9de1f7674533bcb734028

Kindle buy link ($4.99):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A0BTCO4?tag=tributebooks-20

Nook buy link ($4.99):
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-new-birth-of-freedon-robert-g-pielke/1113729034?ean=2940015901757

Whiskey Creek Press ebook buy link ($4.99):
http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1058&zenid=b7536170f2c9de1f7674533bcb734028

Q&A INTERVIEW with Robert G. Pielke, Author of A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor

Please join me to enjoy this fun Interview with author Robert G. Pielke.

Q1. I'm always interested to discover the story behind the story. Where did the inspiration for A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor come from?

• As is usually the case, the story “tells itself to me” – I “listen” and take it from there. Yup, I’m sort of saying that stories have a life of their own, and I’m not really sure where they come from or where they’re born.
• It’s not a cop-out. It’s just that there’s no one thing or event I can think of that prompts them. That goes especially for this one – A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor. Some people have called it “the most bizarre thing I’ve ever read,” so that might suggest something bizarre gave rise to it. Nope. It’s obviously comprised of a variety of characters, issues and situations, and they resemble things in my life-history, but what pulled them all together in one story???
• Beats me!

Q2.  Apparently you have chosen to present this story in a series or trilogy. Did you have each book plotted out before you started the first one or did the subsequent books flow from the first book?

• I had only the beginning…what is now the first few pages. Once the story had told this to me and I had fully digested it, it told me some more. I’m almost finished the second book in the trilogy as of today, and I kind of know that general “lay of the land” for this and the third book, but there are a lot of little things that always pop up and want to be included.

Q3.  Do your characters live with you as you write? Do they haunt your dreams?

• The story does – not so much the characters. When talking with my daughter, for example, who is the first editor for all that I write, I often say “I am my book,” because it always seems to be on my mind.

Q4.  What type of research goes into creating one of your novels?  Was there anything special or hands on?

• A lot!!!
• I write alternate histories in one way or another, and to be credible at it, the actual history has to be absolutely as accurate as humanly possible. I’m asking my readers to go along with me on a speculative undertaking – a “what if” journey as it were – and if the actual events are not “spot on,” they won’t go with me.

Q5. Do you have any rituals that help you get in the mood to sit down and write?

• Oh yes! I always start with a couple of games of Solitaire – I’m seeing how many points I can compile. [I’m up to 42,210 so far.] But that doesn’t “get me in the mood” – it’s just ritual.

Q6.  Which do you find is most important to you as a writer, voice or story? Why?

• The story is everything. IT determines the “voice” as well as the characters, the issues, the plot points.

Q7.  Can you tell us a little about the next book in the series?

• Very little! Ha ha ha ha
• It’s subtitled “the Translator” for a reason. There are some people [linguists and philosophers among them] who believe that communication with aliens would be literally impossible and undesirable as well.
• Book two challenges this idea.

Q8.  What do you hope your readers get out of your books?

• Enjoyment! [however they might understand it]
• Anything else they might get out of it is a bonus.

Q9: What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?

• Cooking shows on TV
• Movies
• Skiing
• Swimming
• Rock and Roll [as well as those other two things that usually precede this]  ;-)

Q10.  What are five fun facts about you or this book/series, that readers would find interesting?

• Hmmmm….I’ll have to think for a minute or two
• Here goes….

1.     All of the characters in the first two books [except for the main protagonist and the “others” that are from “afar”] are actual historical figures.

2.     There were around three Chinese soldiers who fought for the Union at Gettysburg. I use one in the book, but you wouldn’t know it from his name.

3.     Another well-known figure in the history of the American West is in the book but the name we know him by today is not the name that he used during the time period of the book.

4.     The main protagonist is related to one of the chief villains in American history, and that same villain has actual decedents who are major figures in world politics today.

5.     One of my relatives is mentioned in Book One…which not even this person recognized, although his name is used.

THANK YOU!
If you didn't already check out the book I hope you take a look at my review. 

Book Review: A New Birth of Freedom

This is a MUST READ if you like the idea of time travel and civil war meets creatures from The War of the Worlds!

A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor by Robert G. Pielke

• Paperback: 226 pages
• Publisher: Altered Dimensions (August 15, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1936021234
• ISBN-13: 978-1936021239

Price:  Print:  $11.66
Genre:  Science Fantasy, Alternate History
My Rating: 5.0

It has taken centuries to recognize that all humans possess certain unalienable rights. There will come a time when we have to consider whether others deserve those rights as well.
That time will come on July 4, 1863.

Review: This was unexpected and a wonderful read.
This story starts in March 1849 with Edwin Blair visiting a young Abraham Lincoln on a train ride as he travels home from Congress to Illinois.  Blair is dressed in strange clothing including Levi jeans and Nike shoes. These create an ice breaker and the beginning of a memorable meeting. Blair asks Lincoln to accept a retainer to provide counsel in the future and then he sets an appointment to meet again on July 27, 1863. Right before exiting the train Blair does one more thing to make sure Lincoln will remember him.

Sure enough they meet again on July 27, 1863.  Lincoln is 14 years older but Blair is exactly the same as though their previous meeting had been the day before! That is only the first “impossible” surprise that Lincoln and his staff are presented with. Blair has to get them to accept that he has traveled through time in order to get Lincoln’s aid to allow him to go to the front lines and meet with the Union AND Confederate Generals.

Blair is a history professor from the future with expertise in details of the Civil War.  He is counting on knowing the thoughts and actions of General Meade and General Lee so he can convince them to cooperate with him.  Blair believes he will need the combined forces of the armies for a surprise attack against an alien force that will otherwise decimate the countryside if not quickly and completely destroyed. It will take just the right words and demonstrations to convince the necessary leaders to stop in the middle of a crucial battle and to work together against a different enemy that Blair calls the Pests.

To Blair’s horror and shock the Army soldiers capture some of the Pests and slowly they begin to communicate. Blair worries about loose Pests while he and some new friends try to determine what the prisoner Pests want.

I happen to really enjoy Civil War stories - a favorite is Killer Angels. I also like sci fi stories such as War of the Worlds and Independence Day. Add to these likes, I love time travel books. So this was an absolute joy for me to read.  The historical detail is accurate and presented from the interesting perspective of a historian from the future.  The characters, other than the historical ones, are rather quirky. Blair himself is sometimes frustrating and not always reasonable.

The writing is clean and easy. It moves very quickly, especially because you want to know what will happen. The only problem I had was the story is ended after another surprising revelation. It is to be continued! I have no idea how the interference of Blair and the Pests have impacted the world as we know it. I am anxious to find out and I hope the sequel will be out sooner than later.

Blog Tour web site:
http://anewbirthoffreedom-thevisitor.blogspot.com/

Robert G. Pielke's web site:
http://www.robertgpielke.com/

Robert G. Pielke's blog:
http://www.bobpielke.com/

Robert G. Pielke's Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/robert.pielke

Altered Dimensions Press web site:
http://www.sciencefictionpaperbackbooks.com/a-birth-of-new-freedom

I received this book for review as part of a blog tour coordinated by Tribute Books. 
I am giving away my review copy...although part of me doesn't want to give it away!

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

1.   Visit the author's website and tell me something you note of interest. Please leave your email address.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For two entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Four total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL!
* This contest is open to US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on March 4, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.