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Alland
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Post subject: War of the Worlds: New Millennium Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 12:40 am |
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Tripod King |
Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2005 12:07 am Posts: 262 Location: west-central Pennsylvanai
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I just discovered this book. It assumes that modern-day Earth is invaded by Wells' Martians (explosions on Mars, cylinder transports, tripod Fighting-Machines, the whole bit) with a few novel bells and whistles. Some stuff was taken from the movies: the tripods' legs are energy beams a la the 1953 film, and Earth's electronics are largely taken out by an electromagnetic pulse attack that beats though their insulation and other defenses through sheer overwhelming power. I won't go into the plot or ending to keep from spoiling it for you, of course, but it's good. The author is well-known in the wargaming and role-playing game industry.
War of the Worlds: New Millennium; Douglas Niles; Tor Books; New York; 2005; $24.95 ($34.95 CAN). My copy's a hardcover; don't know if it's appeared in paperback form yet.
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Lonesome Crow
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Post subject: Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 1:42 pm |
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Martian War Lord |
Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2005 10:31 pm Posts: 3365 Location: N.Humberside.UK
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Loz
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Post subject: Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:09 pm |
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Martian War Lord |
Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2005 10:00 pm Posts: 2870 Location: Liverpool, UK
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Thanks for the info Alland.
Is it a global assualt?
Bah bah black sheap April diamond spheres, Rigsby, Rigsby, Eight sided Pears.
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Alland
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Post subject: Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 12:14 am |
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Tripod King |
Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2005 12:07 am Posts: 262 Location: west-central Pennsylvanai
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To answer your questions: It IS a global assault, but the bulk of the story takes place in America. There are just a few scattered chapters detailing events in other parts of the world. For instance, North Korea is the only country able to use nukes immediately against the Martians, because the guidance systems of her missiles are so primitive that there wasn't much for the Martians' EMP assault to damage. Everywhere else, the damage to nukes, tanks and other ground vehicles, etc., is repairable, but takes time. Thus, while Earth's militaries are severely crippled, they ARE able to eventually engage the Martian tripods in battle.
Note: In this invasion, the tripod Fighting-Machines are the only combat units in the invasion force. Still no infantry, and since the Martian civilization is given as living underground (following what's left of its water), they have had no chance to develop flying machines of any type. Hence their reliance on old-fashioned cannon-launched cylinders to deliver the invasion force. The bulk of the story follows the adventures of the narrator---a retired astronomy professor living in rural Wisconsin---and his NASA-employed daughter. The author alternates chapters for the two of them, just as Wells did with his original narrator and his younger brother in London. Oh, and you'll probably get a kick out of the twist Mr. Niles did on the final defeat of the Martians.
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Loz
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Post subject: Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:12 pm |
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Martian War Lord |
Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2005 10:00 pm Posts: 2870 Location: Liverpool, UK
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Sounds good. Thanks. I'll give it a wirl.
Bah bah black sheap April diamond spheres, Rigsby, Rigsby, Eight sided Pears.
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