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geenyas's review against another edition
2.0
First let me say that I thought there was a fun premise here -- a steampunk romp with Wm Howard Taft as the star? Brilliant. Now the bad news: the writing is facile at best, but firmly stuck in the juvenile vein most of the time. It reads like a graphic novel -- without pictures. I understand that the author is a historian -- his research is flawless, but his relentless didactic tone (tying throw-away details to documented newspaper articles of the time) comes off self-serving and a bit smug. When the author is not pointing out history, he's explaining it -- which comes off as though he thinks the reader is unknowledgeable. I think there's a good graphic novel here, it's just too bad there weren't any illustrations.
calbowen's review
3.0
Meh - this is my biggest issue with some alternate history novels - I do not like reading historical figures in these fantastical roles - the world being historical is fine, with some reference made, but following Taft around (which, sorry, but I am sure he was not THAT active in these years) made this story too far gone and out there to thoroughly enjoy - I enjoy the Vernes touch with aircraft - and the Pinkerton element - and if everything had just had fictional characters instead of historical, I would most likely have enjoyed it much more. This was fair fare to me.
cwalter01's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really fantastical historical fiction
tamdot's review
3.0
So far astray from real history that I hesitate to classify it as alternate history. It was far fetched and over the top but in a self-aware kind of way. It was good entertainment.
heregrim's review
4.0
Easy read that plays fast and loose with the history, but who's use of the historical record (newspapers and diaries) to create a believable and fun romp through an alternate past where there is always more to the eye of history.
meowzik's review
5.0
I'm going through a phase where if a book has more than three words in the title (the/of not included), it automatically ends up in my to-read pile (I blame you, [b:The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared|13486632|The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared|Jonas Jonasson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1334848488s/13486632.jpg|10365993]. So glad I fished this one out! Steampunk, science and history - three of my favourite topics (to read about in one entertaining read.
puzzled_pagan's review
4.0
Fun alternate history nonsense. How could a book about President Taft uncovering a James Bondesque plot not be a blast?
pianorunner421's review
3.0
I am giving this three stars because, even though I did not really enjoy it, it is cleverly written and someone who can enjoy a sci-fi /historical fiction blend better than I can would really love this book. There definitely were some clever humorous parts. I just really did not love the genre. I want Wythe sci-fi or history not a blend