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Books like Under the Yoke

Under the Yoke

1989S.M. Stirling

3.9/5

The second installment in Stirling's Draka quartet. A famous (and controversial) alternative history series in which the European settlers in South Africa become a world conquering empire over a 250 year span. Over the years I've read numerous articles in which Stirling's creation is ripped apart by alternative history connoisseurs, but also defend by others. Stirling himself has been accused of being a sexual pervert, racist and fascist, but he has gone on to have a long and prosperous career so he obviously has numerous fans. I own the entire set. I have for years. I re-read them periodically. I personally don't try to poke holes in an author's AH scenario. It's pointless. The way I see it a fictional creation is just that. My creation is not better than another author's so why waste so much time ripping it apart? Stirling put in a lot of work into these books. I'm impressed and it does seems plausible. It might not be, but it's strong enough to take me along for the ride. I am somewhat critical myself of Stirling in my review of "Marching Through Georgia" , but in retrospect I have decided that I don't need to take everything so seriously. Sometimes a novel is just a novel. "Under the Yoke" occurs in 1947 shortly after the end of the Eurasian War (the Draka Timeline second world war). It mostly takes place in France and looks at the assimilation of France (a first world nation) to life under the Draka Empire. It is disturbing at times, but engrossing. A look at the effect of conquest on both the conquers as well as the conquered. More detailed than the first installment it's not just a simple military adventure novel like "Marching Through Georgia" was. It is also an espionage novel and a sociological profile of Stirling's creation. In my opinion "Under the Yoke" is the strongest of the four books. All are solid and enjoyable(?) reads, but this one is more grounded. I recommend buying all four books instead of the compilation. You will find the individual novels have more of Stirling's additional background information and provide a greater view of his world.
Picture of a book: Under the Yoke

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