A Meeting at Corvallis by S. M. Stirling (2006, Hardcover)

I'm glad to see that this third book in this trilogy (Dies the Fire, the Protector's War preceeding this book) has returned to the compelling writing and story that the first book had.

The author seems to enjoy alternate history; and in this series, explores the idea of how humanity would react if all of the comforts and convenience offered by our technologies suddenly stopped working, and we were faced with having to return to the level of the dark ages in order to survive. These stories are set in the Pacific Northwest (Willamette Valley, Portland/Eugene area), so it has a particular draw for me since I live around here.

In this third book; set a number of years after the 'change'--our heroes have established independent 'states'--and are standing against a powerful faction that occupies the larger portion of the region. The books all have plenty of long-winded politics that tend to run dry (much like the way people complained about the new Star Wars movies)... and the political infighting and dialogues are very talky. You'll also find yourself reading pages upon pages of descriptive or historical narratives about hauberks and glaives and all other terminologies the author loves to share. In the second book, it seemed that was the whole book; but in this book, he reined in his tendency to ramble on about these things a bit more--and therefore the book has a better, more readable pace.

It takes a slow start--the first oh, eleven chapters or so (there are a few exciting scenes within those chapters that make it worthwhile), but after that, the war really takes on an edge, and you jump from settign to setting, from character to character as they take on the challenges of winning a war against a seemingly undefeatable enemy. It is very, very good writing.

The only thing I can say about the end is that it tends towards the cheesy in regards to the prodigal son. The author did this at the end of the first book as well. If you overlook that, I think you will enjoy this book. If you like medieval related subject matter; and enjoy fantasy or end-of-the-world scenarios, you'll enjoy this series.

PS... Having read all three, if I had skipped the second book, I really don't think I would have missed much coming into this one.

Having always loved end of the world novels, I decided to try S M Stirling as his first book in this series was highly recommended by a friend and a clerk at one of my favorite bookstores, and I subsequently loved it. In "A Meeting at Corvallis" Stirling once again proves that when it comes to writing believable, exciting, and endearing characters in his alternative worlds genre- he truly excels. This sequel to "Dies The Fire" is no less than Extraordinary, and I was unable to put it down until I had devoured the entire novel. I immediately read it again at a slower pace and was just as thrilled and mesmerized as I was the first time. His ability to bring such vivid life to his characters and their enviroment is truly a gift that entices and embraces the reader into the realms he has created. This is one of the best novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

this is the third book in a series. Ive read the other 2 so I decided to read the third.it is a alternate reality where guns electricity and internal combustion engines have stopped working.The premise has holes in it and the author could use some help in his thinking. I dont believe that we would be reduced to swords and longbows. fir instance he mentions leaf springs from cars but aperently dosent realise the potential in them . also mentiones napalm but when the big confrontation happens it is missing.if your into sca and wicca (witches) you will injoy this book .I injoyed the premise but dont believe it would happen at all like this book portrays .

I love the characters, The settings, And the location of the story it kind of makes me wish this would happen it would be a much more interesting world i think and i would certainly reccommend this series to anyone who likes Sci-fi and I can't wait to read the next book in this series Buy it you will not be dissappointed.