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Against the Tide of Years Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Against the Tide of Years


Commodore Marian Alston-Kurlelo must work with 20th century Americans and Bronze Age peoples to defend the Republic of Nantucket from Tartessian invaders and ultimately prepare for the coming war between the Republic's forces and those of the Wolf Lord, self-proclaimed King of Men, William Walker. Marian Alston was an experienced Coast Guard captain back in the late 20th century, but when the Island of Nantucket was engulfed in light and swept back to the late Bronze Age, her ship was taken back with it. Now, eight years after the Event that brought the island into the past, she's not only a captain but a Commodore—the head of the navy (still called the Coast Guard for tradition's sake, but very much a powerful naval force) and a member of Nantucket's Council, or ruling leadership. She's put down roots in the Nantucket community, and her partner, Swindapa Kurlelo of the Fiernan tribes of what would one day be Great Britain, is a Coast Guard officer herself. Marian Alston hopes that she can build up the Coast Guard's fleet large enough to be able to enforce maritime laws against piracy and slave trading, so that as Nantucket's influence spreads, the seas can be made safe for long-distance traders.
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Right after the Event, a treacherous Coast Guard lieutenant named William Walker stole one of Nantucket's ships and fled the island with a variety of skilled men and women who were hoping to build an empire of their own. Unfortunately, while the Nantucketers are forming alliances, Walker is building up an empire. First he becomes a court favorite of King Agamemnon of Mycenae, befriends Odikweos son of Laertes (who would otherwise have become the Odysseus of Homer's tales), then takes over the kingdom, planning to conquer Troy and other lands, and hoping to eventually seize control of Nantucket for himself.

For the bulk of the book, the Republic of Nantucket is involved in political alliance-making and efforts to spread modern-day values and technology. (For example, they work hard to curtail the spread of a smallpox epidemic in Babylon, and slavery is not allowed anywhere within the Republic of Nantucket's sphere of power.) Marian oversees the maiden voyage of one of the Republic's most "modern" (for the circumstances) kinds of ships and prepares the Coast Guard for the very real possibility of war, deals with the aftermath of a terrible storm that devastates part of her fleet, and befriends San natives, laying the groundwork for eventual good relations between the San and the Republic.

When the King of Tartessos, an ally of Walker that uses a mix of Bronze Age and modern weaponry, launches a fleet to invade Nantucket itself, Marian oversees the defense of the island. She first directs troops on land (coming perilously close to being killed by mortars) and then takes command of the Republic's fleet as it goes up against the invading Tartessian ships. Marian is ultimately successful in forcing the Tartessians to surrender, but the failed invasion is a wake-up call for the Republic of Nantucket, who realize that they cannot ignore Walker's preparations and will soon have to fight against Walker's growing empire directly.

The book closes with Marian and Swindapa on the Isle of Britain, sending their two children back to Nantucket so that the kids will be safe for the duration of the coming war.
Best part of story, including ending: The worldbuilding is astonishing. When Commodore Marian Alston-Kurlelo is leading her crew through combat exercises aboard an old-style sailing vessel, the details are impressive and really take you into the scene; the same can be said for when the reader is first brought to Bab-ilim (Babylon) or shown the inner workings of a somewhat old-fashioned iron foundry. The characters are very real, very human, and extremely competent, which is a sheer pleasure to watch. And the antagonist, William Walker, is much more frightening than most villains because he knows how to delegate, and he's extremely good at planning power-grabs over the long term.

Best scene in story: For sheer sense of wonder, there's a glorious scene when Marian's ship goes through a terrible storm. The sense of danger is very real, and the descriptions bring it to life; the way the sailors have to shout to be heard over the wind, the way Marian and other experienced sailors have to quickly loop rope around fellow crewmembers who've been dazed or knocked about by huge waves... the writing is simply marvelous throughout, but that scene had me at the edge of my seat.

Opinion about the main character: Commodore Marian Alston-Kurlelo is a fantastic, deeply relatable character. She's serious, competent, practices a lot to maintain her skills, is warm with friends and family and terrifying as an enemy, and she's frankly adorable with Swindapa and their kids Lucy and Heather.

The review of this Book prepared by Susan Shepherd a Level 2 American Robin scholar

Chapter Analysis of Against the Tide of Years

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Plot & Themes

Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence 20%planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 30%Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 20%Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places 30% Tone of book    -   suspenseful (sophisticated fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?    -   alternate history Time Travel:    -   using future technology in the past Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book Time Travel story?    -   Yes Story largely takes place in    -   Really long ago

Main Character

Identity:    -   Female Profession/status:    -   navy soldier Age:    -   40's-50's

Setting

Terrain    -   Desert Earth setting:    -   general past Takes place on Earth?    -   Yes

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   moderately detailed references to deaths scientific jargon? (SF only)    -   a moderate amount of scientific explanation How much dialogue?    -   significantly more descript than dialog

Books with storylines, themes & endings like Against the Tide of Years

S.M. Stirling Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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