I think I like the idea of themed Videos for Alternate Historians. With that in mind, here is a slate of videos featuring Wolfenstein: The Old Blood, the stand-alone prequel to Wolfenstein: The New Order. First up, Achievement Hunter shows us six Easter eggs you can find in the game:
Our next video is also from Achievement Hunter. Lets watch Ryan and Michael try to finish the first hidden nightmare level:
But is the game good? Well...lets see what Yahtzee of Zero Punctuation thinks:
Got any videos or YouTube channels that you want to recommend? Let us know in the comments or at ahwupdate at gmail dot com.
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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. Check out his short fiction. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.
Editor's Note Well my winter blogging break is over. I had a fun time over the holidays, but I am glad to be getting back into the swing of things. I got a lot of projects I want to complete for 2015. I need to finished my "Warping History: An Overview of Fans and Creators of Alternate History in the Internet Age" paper, I want to contribute some videos to the AltHistory Wiki YouTube channel and I set a goal to read and review 60 books this year. On top of that I want to continue a writing pace of 6 posts a week on The Update and one post a week on Amazing Stories, while also attending some more conventions around the Chicago area this year. Plus there are some projects in the works that I can't quite talk about yet that I want to get off the ground. Probably won't accomplish all of those goals, what with work and family life, but hey a guy can dream.
No Map Monday post today. A computer issue erased everything I had written and to be honest I am exhausted and frustrated and really don't want to have to rewrite everything. Expect its return next week.
And now the news...
Wolfenstein: The New Order Rated as One of the Best Games of 2014
It didn't make the tops of many lists, but there is no doubt that Wolfenstein: The New Order was one of the best games of 2014. This is good news for future alternate history video games. It seemed critics really enjoyed the FPS shooter set in a world where the Axis Powers won World War II. The grim story and engaging characters not only won over many reviewers, but the fact that the game didn't take itself so seriously that we couldn't enjoy all the Nazi killing action was also noted.
GB Burford of io9 called it one of his favorite shooters of 2014. Along with praising the old style game mechanics, GB also said that the "writing is some of the best I've come across in video games, a perfect blend of pulp and seriousness. The characters are deep, if not deeper than any you might find in your favorite RPG, and they're wonderfully varied too." Arthur Gies of Polygon also praised the story-telling saying "it's the people in it and their stories that hold everything together and set Wolfenstein: The New Order above so many of its action contemporaries, that place it above so many story-based games in general. It's the stories within that make it one of the best games of the year."
Professor Elemental will be performing live on Friday April 3rd at Dysprosium, the Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention, at the Park Inn Heathrow. This is in addition to an evening concert by Guest of Honour Seanan McGuire supported by Talis Kimberley and her band on April 4th, and the Masquerade Ball on April 5th. Entry to all of those performances are included in a membership to Dysprosium.
For those who don't know, Professor Elemental is a Steampunk-flavoured mad Professor. His act is a lively combination of comedy and music, with some friendly audience banter and plenty of improvisation.
Videos for Alternate Historians
Speaking of steampunk, we begin our review of last week's videos with a look at a Victorian village at Christmas recreated in Minecraft:
Before you angrily denounce me for me infatuation with steampunk, let me ask what would happen if the Roman Empire and Han Dynasty China fought a war against each other? That appears to be the premise for the upcoming film Dragon Blade. Let's watch the trailer:
Is Jackie Chan starring in alternate history movie or will this just be a filmmaker taking liberties with history? There has been talk recently about Romans fighting against/for the Chinese, so perhaps we can let a little plausibility slide for the sake of an intriguing action flick.
Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. Check out his short fiction. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.
Editor's Note A few times last week I was emailed by people asking for my opinion on certain alternate history topics. I was more than happy to oblige since it just meant another way to feed my obsession. Of course, I am also kind of greedy. So at some point I wondered what would happen if I started charging people. Become an "alternate history consultant". I kind of like the ring of that. Sitting in my office, high above the multiverse, speaking words that could lay waste to an entire timeline...
Wait...I think I am confusing what a consultant does with an evil megalomaniac. O well, a guy can dream.
And now the news...
South Florida Wants To Be a State As I have talked about in the past, when some group wants to separate their region from an existing American state, it is usually because the liberal/conservative majority in the state is ignoring the political minority located in the region that is trying to secede. The case of South Florida, however, has little to do with social or economic disputes, but instead is about global warming.
According to City of South Miami, rising sea levels threaten the more low-lying southern Florida counties and Tallahassee, far in the north, doesn't seem to care. There solution is to separate the 24 southern counties, which would include 13.4 million people and 69% of the state's revenue. Now I have complained before about the very wealthy proposing state secession to keep their taxes from being spent elsewhere, but in this case I find that South Miami has a much better argument.
Whether it will work is still unlikely. Besides having to convince not just the entire state of Florida, but also Congress, South Miami needs to convince the leaders of all of their proposed South Florida to back the idea. Only South Miami has passed the resolution, so they are just one small voice in the crowd. Perhaps that is the point. Despite their poor odds, maybe the only thing South Floridians want is attention from a state government who is ignoring them. Hey it worked for the Scots!
Your move Tallahassee.
Videos for Alternate Historians
O boy! Bunch of new videos this week. We begin with the return of Cody Franklin and the Alternate History Hub. I give you Fan Alternate Countries #3:
Okay so most of those countries were pretty implausible, but I still enjoyed the underlying humor. Next up we have five facts on Ryse: Son of Rome from Achievement Hunter:
I do like the fact that game developers tried to present a realistic portrayal of Roman history and the cinematics do look beautiful. We continue with the Honest Trailer of the time travel/alternate history film X-Men: Days of Future Past:
Not going to comment since I haven't watched the film yet, but I heard its good. I can comment on this short history of October 23rd and how it relates to the Fallout franchise:
Despite being set in the future, the Fallout games' back story makes it an alternate history with a point of divergence in 1945. Moving on, if you guys enjoyed Lindsey Stirling's new music video, check out the behind the scenes video:
And finally we finish with the plot of Wolfenstein: The New Order, just in case you haven't played it yet:
Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. Check out his short fiction. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.
Editor's Note As I settle into my new routine I am more confident now about my planned podcast I announced a few months ago and I am hoping to begin a video series in the near future where I rant about certain topics near and dear to my heart. If you would like to either or both projects in the future, don't forget to click through our Amazon banner if you plan to purchase anything and help support The Update.
And now the news...
More on Starz's Outlander
For those who enjoy Starz's new historical fantasy series, Outlander, I got some more goodies for you.
First up, some reviews. Paul Levinson reviewed the first three episodes and said "I'll keep watching Outlander, but more for the historical romance than the time travel, which at this point is more of a hope than a reality". Andrew Whalen at iDigitalTimes also reviewed the first three episodes and called the show "Sci-Fi Royalty" and said " I'm looking forward to the fourth episode, not because I'm eagerly awaiting to see how gender roles will be subverted (although that is also enjoyable), but because it's a fun time travel show."
So what about the fourth episode? Sharlene Mousfar of Geek Syndicate reviewed episode 4, giving it a rating of 4 out of 5 and said the "episode was a bit slow – and more of a setup for the action to come in the next few episodes." So #4 wasn't as great as people hoped above, but still a good rating. If you are interested in watching episode 5, check out this preview first.
Let's learn something about the Jani and the Greater Game by Eric Brown. First, the book description from Amazon:
Jani and the Greater Game is the first book in a rip-roaring, spice-laden, steampunk action adventure series set in India and featuring a heroine who subverts all the norms... It’s 1910 and the British rule the subcontinent with an iron fist – and with strange technology fuelled by a power source known as Annapurnite – discovered in the foothills of Mount Annapurna. But they rule but at the constant cost of their enemies, mainly the Russians and the Chinese, attempting to learn the secret of this technology... This political confrontation is known as The Greater Game. Into this conflict is pitched eighteen year old Janisha Chaterjee who discovers a strange device which leads her into the foothills of the Himalayas. When Russians spies and the evil priest Durja Das find out about the device, the chase is on to apprehend Janisha before she can reach the Himalayas. There she will learn the secret behind Annapurnite, and what she learns will change the destiny of the world for ever...
Of course when I think Indian steampunk book, I think The Peshawar Lancers by SM Stirling, but I digress. Alastair Savage at Amazing Stories said the book was an "exciting page-turner with a neat conclusion". Meanwhile, Ay-Leen the Peacemaker at Tor said the novel's greatest strength was from "Brown’s ability to balance a sense of galloping fun while also injecting the story with harder-edged questions about British imperialism, racial identity, and class dynamics" but criticized it for being "one long chase scene". Still the review was good in general, so with two recommendations, Jani and the Greater Game may be an alternate history worth checking out.
Hmm...maybe it was a good idea they passed on it. Anywho, our friend Cody Franklin of the Alternate History Hub doesn't just make alternate history videos. Sometimes he like to collaborate with other YouTubers for more informational videos, like this one on the Islamic State:
Finally we end this segment with a panel discussion about Wolfenstein: The New Order from the guys History Respawned:
Interesting breakdown on how Nazis and the Holocaust are portrayed in popular culture. Send you video or channel recommendations to ahwupdate at gmail dot com.
Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. Check out his short fiction. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.
Editor's Note
So my plan to record the first episode of the podcast this weekend was shattered when my body decided I should better acquainted with the toilet. So after spending a healthy (figuratively speaking) chunk of my weekend recovering I am now physically ready to try again. Although the date is not set yet, I can tell you that my guests are Cody Franklin of the Alternate History Hub and Richard Anderson (a.k.a. Cyrus P. Underwood) author of the short story “A Girl's Best Friend", which can be found in Altered America. We will be discussing war and its overwhelming presence in alternate history. I hope you will enjoy it.
In other news I have began my quest to read all of the Sidewise nominees before the awards are announced later this year. I have begun with The Secret of Abdu El-Yezdi (Burton & Swinburne #4) by Mark Hodder. Having never read the first three stories in the series, I am getting a sense that this a prequel/alternate universe to the steampunk universe Hodder has created. I know some of you have already closed your browser at the mention of the s-word, but I am actually enjoying this story so far. I have always been curious about Sir Richard Francis Burton after reading about him in Farmer's Riverworld series and then again later when I picked up a biography of the explorer that my dad owned. Expect a review from me shortly.
And now the news...
Coming Soon: The Madonna and the Starship by James Morrow
A curious book coming out later this month that caught my attention is called The Madonna and the Starshipby James Morrow. Here is the description from Amazon:
Only Uncle Wonder can save us from the death beam of... THE DIABOLICAL LOBSTERS FROM OUTER SPACE! New York City, 1953. The golden age of television, when most programs were broadcast live. Young Kurt Jastrow, a full-time TV writer and occasional actor, is about to have a close encounter of the apocalyptic kind. Kurt’s most beloved character (and alter ego) is Uncle Wonder, an eccentric tinkerer whose pyrotechnically spectacular science experiments delight children across the nation. Uncle Wonder also has a more distant following: the inhabitants of Planet Qualimosa. When a pair of his extraterrestrial fans arrives to present him with an award, Kurt is naturally pleased—until it develops that, come next Sunday morning, these same aliens intend to perpetrate a massacre.
The description makes the story sound like a parody of all those 1950s sci-fi films that I have only ever seen through the lens of a man trapped in space with his two robot companions. So maybe this book could be just as funny. Paul Di Filippo at Locus seems to think so saying the book has "gonzo charm and buried barbs and offbeat parables galore." One can only hope he is right.
If you would like to learn more about the author, check out the interview Morrow did at SF Signal.
And we finish with a look at Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw's review of Wolfenstein: The New Order. If you guys have never seen the "Zero Punctuation" review series, you are in for a treat:
That's it for now. Send us your videos to ahwupdate at gmail dot com.
Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. Check out his short fiction. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.
Editor's Notes Wow a lot of things happened last week.
First, the topic for the inaugural episode of Voices from Alternia: The Alternate History Podcast was chosen. And no, I am not going to tell you what it is...yet. You are going to have to wait just a little longer.
Second, The Update now has a page on the Alternate History Wiki (AlternateHistory.com's version, not the one on Wikia). It brought a huge smile to my face when Petike of AlternateHistory.com messaged me that he had created it. Thanks Petike and as for the rest of you please go there and start editing.
Third, a side project of mine on Facebook, the Alternate History Online group, just surpassed 1000 members. I actually started this group almost a decade ago when I was still in undergrad. It is amazing to see how much it has grown since then.
Finally, the number of people buying books through our Amazon banner and links has increased dramatically. Thank you guys so much. Every penny of the proceeds we make off the sales is going into the podcast!
Well enough bragging, time for the news. You know I actually thought about taking this Memorial Day off, but there was so much to talk about from last week, I just had to post something. Enjoy!
And now the news...
Preview: My Real Children by Jo Walton
A new alternate history book has caught the attention of the Internet. It is titled My Real Children and is written by Jo Walton. Here is the description from Amazon:
It’s 2015, and Patricia Cowan is very old. “Confused today,” read the notes clipped to the end of her bed. She forgets things she should know—what year it is, major events in the lives of her children. But she remembers things that don't seem possible. She remembers marrying Mark and having four children. And she remembers not marrying Mark and raising three children with Bee instead. She remembers the bomb that killed President Kennedy in 1963, and she remembers Kennedy in 1964, declining to run again after the nuclear exchange that took out Miami and Kiev. Her childhood, her years at Oxford during the Second World War—those were solid things. But after that, did she marry Mark or not? Did her friends all call her Trish, or Pat? Had she been a housewife who escaped a terrible marriage after her children were grown, or a successful travel writer with homes in Britain and Italy? And the moon outside her window: does it host a benign research station, or a command post bristling with nuclear missiles? Two lives, two worlds, two versions of modern history; each with their loves and losses, their sorrows and triumphs. Jo Walton's My Real Children is the tale of both of Patricia Cowan’s lives...and of how every life means the entire world.
So the novel appears to be a character study where two different versions of the characters live in two distinct timelines, neither one exactly our own. Annalee Newitz of io9 (who we will hear from again later in this post) gave a glowing review of the novel saying it was a "complicated, nuanced mediation on the question of how the personal and political intertwine to create a single life" and also complimented Walton on her ability "at evoking the complicated relationship between international politics and domestic dysfunction." Cory Doctorow at BoingBoing also praised the novel and said of its emotional impact that he has to"[keep] the book at arm's length, lest it trigger another round of tears."
To be honest I think I might try picking up a copy of this book when I get the chance. In the meantime, if you want to learn more about My Real Children check out this excerpt on BoingBoing and this interview with Walton at Riffle.
Wolfenstein: The New Order is Out Now, but How is the Story?
Admittedly The Update is primarily a literary blog, but that doesn't mean we don't cover other mediums. Last New Releases I pointed out that the next installment in the popular Wolfenstein saga, Wolfenstein: The New Order, was released. It is set in an alternate 1960s where the Nazis won World War II and conquered the world. Well the reviews have been pouring in, but I am not going to be covering the comments on gameplay or graphics. Instead I want to know what reviewers thought of the plot. How is the alternate history of Wolfenstein: The New Order?
Colin Moriarty of IGN said the Wolfenstein really shines when it comes to plot. He complimented the game on its use real-life Nazi atrocities that made the game feel, in his words, "surprisingly human, and your situation quite desperate." Although he did point out much of the technology in the alternate 1960s is unrealistic. Lou Kesten of The Republic also commented on the use of Nazi atrocities in crafting the story saying "[o]ne minute, you're invited to reflect on man's inhumanity to man; the next, you're expected to relish splattering enemy brains all over their swastika-festooned fortresses". Meanwhile, David Hing of Den of Geek said "Wolfenstein has never needed to or pretended to be terribly smart, but I am going to make the unusual argument that it has been subtle" by not jumping to the usual tropes associated with World War II alternate histories.
And the game itself is chock full of Easter eggs. The guys at Achievement Hunter showcased the appearance of one from Wolfenstein 3D:
And Fallout:
Well it is good to hear that video games can do alternate history justice. Have you played the new Wolfenstein game? What did you think of the story?
More Reviews on Southern Cross: Annuit Coeptis
A couple months ago I reviewed Southern Cross: Annuit Coeptis by Dorvall and Philip Renne, a new comic featuring a Confederate victory at Gettysburg and an overall victory in the American Civil War. A couple recent reviews of the comic, however, have a caught my eye.
Cody K. Carlson of Deseret News (and no I did not pull this from an alternate timeline) said Southern Cross was a "fun and enjoyable alternate history tale that does offer some real food for thought", but knocked off points for too many sub-plots and an implausible post-Gettysburg outcome. Rhetta Akamatsu at Seattle PI called the graphic novel "dramatic and thought-provoking", but did feel certain elements of the book were implausible, like the enslavement of black Union soldiers.
So much like my review, both reviewers felt Southern Cross has merit, but suffers from some implausibilities. Have you read Southern Cross? What do you think of it? Let us know in the comments.
Revolution Airs Finale
Revolution aired its final episode last week. It was reported a couple of weeks ago that the show was cancelled so this episode should have been the second season finale. I won't give any plot details away in case dear reader you have not watched it, but the reviews have not been good.
Annalee Newitz of io9 (told you) said "[t]he season finale — filmed before cast and crew knew it was their final episode — made us glad the show is gone forever." Most of Annalee's problems with the show stemmed from missed opportunities and the nonsensical cliffhanger. Paul Levinson mostly agreed with her on his blog saying "[t]onight's ending, I hate to say, made me glad this was the final season" but did leave a parting comment that about the show overall that let the review end on a high note by saying "everyone associated with the show can be proud for the two good seasons it gave us. Science fiction is a tough sell on television, and Revolution gave it a good shot."
Of course Revolution may still get a chance to do things right. There is always the possibility Revolution could get on another network or some streaming service like Netflix or Hulu. Its a long shot, but if fans really want it, they can convince someone with the money to make it happen...but judging from these reviews I don't think the fan power exists.
Europa Universalis IV Expansion “Wealth of Nations” Available for Pre-order, Ships May 29
You can now pre-order “Wealth of Nations,“ the second expansion to Europa Universalis IV. Adding a plethora of new trade and diplomacy features to the grand strategy game from Paradox, "Wealth of Nations" will be officially released on May 29, 2014 for Windows, Mac, and Linux computers.
If you’re the type of person to research routes before heading into choppy waters, this video developer diary highlights the new challenges of "Wealth of Nations", including privateering, shipping companies, and covert economic sabotage:
For more information on the new show and on Europa Universalis IV, please visit the new Paradox website.
Video Gallery
I know I have already showcased a few videos in previous segments, but this is the dumping ground for the rest. First up, Epic Rap Battles of History is back with a rap battle between Superman and Goku:
They sure have been doing a lot of fictional mash ups lately. I would like to see return to more historical figures. Next, the Geeks With Wives podcast discusses alternate history:
I haven't listened to the whole show yet, so my apologies if the quality isn't great. We end with a video from our friend Alison Morton who has a trailer out for her new book Successio:
Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. Check out his short fiction. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.
You can support The Update by clicking the banner on the top right or the links below if you are purchasing through Amazon! Hardcovers My Real Children by Jo Walton
It’s 2015, and Patricia Cowan is very old. “Confused today,” read the notes clipped to the end of her bed. She forgets things she should know—what year it is, major events in the lives of her children. But she remembers things that don't seem possible. She remembers marrying Mark and having four children. And she remembers not marrying Mark and raising three children with Bee instead. She remembers the bomb that killed President Kennedy in 1963, and she remembers Kennedy in 1964, declining to run again after the nuclear exchange that took out Miami and Kiev.
Her childhood, her years at Oxford during the Second World War—those were solid things. But after that, did she marry Mark or not? Did her friends all call her Trish, or Pat? Had she been a housewife who escaped a terrible marriage after her children were grown, or a successful travel writer with homes in Britain and Italy? And the moon outside her window: does it host a benign research station, or a command post bristling with nuclear missiles?
Two lives, two worlds, two versions of modern history; each with their loves and losses, their sorrows and triumphs. Jo Walton's My Real Children is the tale of both of Patricia Cowan’s lives...and of how every life means the entire world.
When airship engineer Melody McKay's dirigible explodes and plunges her into the yard of a gothic manor, she suspects foul play. With her ankle injured—an indignity far too feminine for her taste—she resolves to crack the mystery while in the care of Victor Arrington, the stuffy-yet-disarming Earl of Blackwell.
Ex-Royal Navy Captain Victor runs a tight house and is on a mission to protect his niece and foil a ring of smugglers using fire-breathing metal dragons. He has no time for romantic attachments. Particularly not with women who fall from the sky wearing trousers and pilot's goggles.
As he and Melody navigate a treachery so deep it threatens the lives of everyone in Black Heath, the earl becomes unexpectedly attached to his fiery houseguest, and Melody discovers a softness in her heart for him. But when the smugglers strike, there's more at risk than just their future together. Games Wolfensteinby Bethesda Softworks
Wolfenstein®: The New Order™ reignites the series that created the first-person shooter genre. The year is 1960 and the Nazi’s have won World War II. War hero B.J. Blazkowicz must launch an impossible counter-offensive against the monstrous Nazi regime that has conquered the globe..
Europe, 1960. The Nazis turned the tide of the war using a new kind of mysterious, advanced technology. Using unrelenting force and intimidation, they have brought even the most powerful of nations to their knees. The Nazi regime now rules the globe with an iron fist. Play as the one man who dares go up against the world’s most formidable military. You are B.J. Blazkowicz, the American war hero. You are the only man capable of rewriting history.
To fans, authors and publishers...
Is your story going to be published in time for the next New Releases? Contact us at ahwupdate at gmail dot com. We are looking for works of alternate history, counterfactual history, steampunk, historical fantasy, time travel or anything that warps history beyond our understanding.
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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. Check out his short fiction. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.
