by Harry Harrison [Ballantine Publishing, 1998. ISBN 0-345-40934-5] Famed Sci Fi author Harry Harrison turns his skills to alternate history and presents us wargamers with a potentially rich scenario for gaming in the mid-nineteenth century. But more of that later. As is typical with alternate histories, the author begins with a twist of fate. Some seemingly minor event occurs differently than in real history. And from that point on, history mutates in a rational yet unsettling way. In Harrison’s story, the Mason and Slidell mission goes awry and Britain declares war on a United States already locked in the throes of its own Civil War. And how does this happen? Well, it seems that Prince Albert fails to moderate the official British protest for the taking of the two confederate emissaries from a British vessel by the U.S. Navy. Abraham Lincoln can hardly accede to Britain’s harsh demands. Instead of being settled amicably, the disputes leads to war between these two great English-speaking nations. Both Britain and France, deprived of Southern cotton by the Union blockade, were toying with the idea of recognizing the Confederacy and perhaps intervening on its side. However, this time Britain sends an invasion force from Canada down the traditional Lake Champlain-Hudson Valley route aimed at New York City. But in an even more bizarre twist of fate (which I will not reveal) a British raid on the gulf coast to break the Northern blockade backfires and the Confederacy declares war against Britain! Harrison’s version of history sees North and South declaring an armistice so that they may both prosecute a war against the Empire. In fact, blue and gray join forces to repel the British invasion of New York State. Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant, commanding their armies under the combined command of William Tecumseh Sherman counterattack the powerful columns descending from Quebec. Joseph E. Johnston foments open rebellion of French-Canadians against the crown. But it is on the water that Britain receives the most surprising setback. In a replay of 1814, a raid on Washington succeeds in damaging public buildings. However, the escorting Royal Navy squadron is confronted by a single monitor which wreaks destruction on the wooden vessels. But the British people and her leaders are nothing if not determined to mobilize the entire resources of the empire to punish the Americans. Realizing that they are behind technologically, British leaders move to catch up and pass their foes. I would be remiss if I didn’t note that this will not be easy reading for all. Harrison makes the British government and military leaders look somewhat like Nazis. The cruelty and rapaciousness of the raiding forces is horrific. The reader can not help but identify with the Union and Confederate cause against their common foe. But if you can get past that [and I had trouble] you may be inspired for a new use for your figures. This book describes battles between Union and Confederate regulars and untrained militia against very well-trained British regulars. Most are armed with muzzle loading rifled muskets but some American units have multiple shot breech loaders. I’m guessing that British troops from the Crimea to the Zulu wars would be an appropriate choice. Battles around Ticonderoga, Montreal, and Quebec City would be fun to fight. Stars and Stripes Forever is a captivating read and may inspire you solo gamers to an entirely different scenario from the usual. Back to Table of Contents -- Lone Warrior #140 Back to Lone Warrior List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2002 by Solo Wargamers Association. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com