The United States of Atlantis--A Novel of Alternate History

October 27, 2008
Several years after the events of 2007’s Opening Atlantis
, Victor Radcliff, now middle-aged, is called upon to lead the Atlantis colonies’ fight for independence from England. Victor, aided by his ex-slave friend Blaise, agrees to train and lead the ragtag colonial army against experienced British soldiers under Generals Howe and Cornwallis. Between battles, Victor and his friends debate questions of politics and religion, particularly the troubling dilemma of slavery. Readers familiar with the American Revolution will find analogues to Benjamin Franklin and Benedict Arnold as well as real figures, such as Marquis de la Fayette and Thomas Paine, and elements of real battles of the American Revolution. Victor excels as a general, but makes one personal error that sharply ramps up his stake in the developing conflict and opens the door for a third book.

As alternative history, THE UNITED STATES OF ATLANTIS is a beautifully rendered portrait of the Revolutionary War in a world both familiar and wildly different from our own. Contrary to legend, Atlantis has not sunk; instead it replaces North America as the "New World." France, England, and Spain are expanding their empires there, much to the chagrin of the indignant colonists. Todd McLaren does an outstanding job suspending listener disbelief, rendering ferocious battles with such ardor you can smell a whiff of musket fire. He also depicts Atlantis's richly detailed floral and fauna with a naturalist's zest. Just as nimble are his shifts between the accents of Red Coats to those of common soldiers and distinguished colonists. F.G. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine