War of the Worlds: New Millennuim

By Douglas Niles

Book Overview

First the Mars probe picked up an anomaly. Then NASA saw some strange activity, and many stargazers noticed meteorites rocketing towards earth. A cylinder surreptitiously landed in Wisconsin, then another, and another, ... and then invasion from Mars. The War of the Worlds had begun. War of the Worlds:New Millennium follows in the great tradition of Wells' original masterpiece, Niven and Pournelle's Footfall , and 'V' the mini-series. It is the story of an alien invasion of earth as told from numerous viewpoints: - a writer in rural Wisconsin - a soldier in the field - a science advisor to the president As tripods leave a swath of destruction across the Americas, Washington groups some of its great minds to solve the problem as the Pentagon throws at the invaders the latest hardware the military has to offer. At stake is the survival of the human race and the dominion of planet earth. Filled with techno-thriller like detail War of the Worlds: New Millennium merges Clancy with Clarke for a truly page turning science fiction thriller.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765311429
• ISBN13: 9780765311429
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Forge
• Length: 332 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Triumphant Updating of Classic Tale

Douglas Niles does an excellent job of bringing The War of the Worlds to a new millenium, with rich, credible characters, realistic reactions to the Mars threat, and great technical detail on the hardware and military maneuvers that would be involved in repelling the invasion. I have had occasion in the last year to read and review both Joe Haldeman's The Coming (dealing with some similar themes) and Charles Sheffield's Aftermath (sharing a major plot point). While I was disappointed with both those efforts, I am enthusiastic about War of the Worlds: New Millenium. Doug Niles gets right what those books got wrong. While having a broad geographic scope overall, we see interrelated characters in situations which are appropriate to the plot, government actions which make sense, and an ending which is appopriate to the story and the reader's expectations. Highly recommended, with great action, a terrific military feel, and excellent narrative. A real page-turner. I also recommend Fox on the Rhine, by Douglas Niles. Donald J. Bingle, Author of Forced Conversion.

An excellent take on a true classic

I have to begin this review by saying that I really hated this book...before I read it. I am a huge fan of the original War of the Worlds and have loved many of the derivitive works related to it - from the Orson Welles radio broadcast and George Pal film to the Jeff Wayne album and Manly Wade Wellman's Sherlock Holmes And The War Of The Worlds. I was terrified, however, that this book would be a tremendous let down. I could not have been more wrong! Knowing how talented Mr. Niles is, I picked up the book and dived in - doing my best to be fair. In just a few pages, I was hooked. The story picked me up and carried me along effortlessly. I found that all my original concerns were utterly unfounded. Fans of Mr. Niles will agree that he's hit another home run with this book. Those new to his work will find a work that expertly blends the classic tale of Martian invasion with a keen understanding of modern military tactics and hardware. This is a book you won't want to put down, so pick it up soon!

Well written as usual, another great Niles book

I've read almost all of the novels written by Doug Niles and this is one of his best works. Even knowing the story, I was surprised by the interesting twists and turns of the book. You can always expect a Niles book to be well researched and fast paced and this is no exception. I honestly finished the book hoping they'd talk him into continuing the story. Well worth the time and the price. James M. Ward

better than ever

It was hard to put this book down, even when I could only keep one eye open late into night. Doug Niles brings the horror of the famous Martian invasion story into the 21st century. You share in the passion of the main characters as they battle angrily, and hopelessly, against the Martian attack. How can our planet survive this new invasion when our most potent and modern weapons are rendered inoperable by a far superior force? Led by a brave few, with only their hearts and minds left to battle the gruesome creatures, you'll find out if the expression "where there's a will, there's a way" once again holds true. Another gripping tale that stands up to the original - a must read!

From a fellow author: Well Done!!

I was given a preview copy of this title. I too am a military sci-fi writer, so I was asked to review it. All I can say is that I wish I had written it! Man, this one is a great one! I'm not interested in seeing the Tom Cruise movie now, as it can't be as good as this book. Usually, I just skim these things. This one was a joy to read, and I couldn't put it down. It follows the somewhat typical War of the Worlds sequence, but it's set in modern America, and it has some marvelous twists. I knew the original story, so I thought I wouldn't be hooked (I'm a plot-guy, after all). Niles even weaves in some of the detail of the original into the new plot. He's even got the crazed artilleryman, wanting to start a new civilization! Yet, it's done in a way that I didn't see it coming. Very cool indeed. This is a top recommendation from another writer. Go read it now!