A predominantly compelling collection

Short story collections had for me has always been a special attraction. On one hand, they offered an opportunity a complete and often exciting story in one piece on a short train ride to read before bedtime or just for a quick relaxation, on the other hand I got through it many times for me to know new authors. All the stories in this collection have in one form or another war as a focus, but fall but very different in the implementation of. This collection is of George Martin's contribution from his famous 'A Song of Ice Fire' series is clearly dominant, but also offers many other significant contributions to which I would respond as follows.

Unfortunately, the anthology begins quite weak. Cecelia Holland delivers a lukewarm story about the fate of a cheeky Viking. Even if this story is based on a true story, was able to inspire me little. Far better enjoyed the subsequent story of Joe Halder man like that gives us a look at the possible future of wars. A centerpiece of the book is the outstanding set of Robin Hobb in Scene story of two befriended Roman soldiers in Carthage. Here Hobb proves that it can also act on the fantasy genre beyond. Unusual and darkly staged Lawrence Block his contribution Clean Slate, a victim of abuse, that their very own wages war. Tad Williams delivers right after another bleak story of the bloody battle of believers and atheists in the future. At this point, the book follows with Soldierin Joe Halder man an empowering, humorous and entertaining story about the fate of two former slaves in the American Civil War. But even after the author of the last Unicorn Peter Beagle provides us with a profoundly sad and inspiring true story of sacrifice and humanity. This is followed by the rather long article by Diana Gabaldon about Lord John Grey. I must confess at this point that I have never read her well-known major work and the present history was rather weak as an independent story. This could be quite different for fans of their series but. Noami Novik offers after a fine example of a completely independent story with an 'Avatar' similar pattern of the nevertheless rather little stuck. Steven Saylor shows after a very solid contribution over despair, guilt and escape. James Rollins considered with its experimentally tinged story of war and battle from the eyes of an animal and thereby expires at the end, unfortunately, in deep stereotypes. Interestingly it is the next post by David Weber. This has left a truly epic story about the struggle of humanity against a superior enemy in almost 90 pages. The end is nonetheless abruptly and seemed a bit put on, even if I laughed heartily. Carrie Vaughn was much praised for their next easy feminist contribution over the fate of civilians in World War II. I honestly do not know why, this contribution seemed to me as a historically-themed soap opera. The subsequent contribution of Stirling shares the fate of Gabaldon's story also is where the author (to) much knowledge of his major work ahead. To donate Ninieslando of Howard Waldrop, about the attempt peace in the war, is perhaps the most unusual story of the book and in my opinion one of the better. Gardner Dozois also enters in its history rather unusual paths, unfortunately, this total is too short to provide a satisfactory conclusion. My name is legion of Morrell is another solid complement the fate of the Foreign Legion, which however can not really tell. Far better is the contribution Silverberg's about the long wait before killing in war. Silverberg proves once again that he is one of the better short story writers of the last decades. The Scroll of David Ball is a very nasty little story about the responsibility of the backers of the war. She gave me so much that I started Balls major work to read. And finally, finally, the contribution of George Martin. I had almost given up Martin to the eternal delays of his books, but this story proves once again that he is one of the greatest living writers Fantasy is actually and my interest has rekindled in him.

All in all: A worthwhile collection with mostly good to very good contributions. Especially in a collection of so many history but also the individual taste of the reader is critical. Anyone who may interested in war in general and literature in particular speculative access without hesitation.