September 7, 2000 Note: This was originally posted in early September 2000 on the newsgroup 'soc.history.what-if'.

Harry Turtledove's newest book,Sentry Peak, is not alternate history (at least in how 's.h.w-i' regulars view AH). Instead, it is history with all the names changed (and a few other details as well). The cover blurb makes it clear that the American Civil War is the general template (however, the country Denita is in the southern hemisphere and was initially settled in the west with colonization spreading eastward - also the country's name really should be Denitu). I realized, from the first chapter, that the Battle of Chikamauga was the specific template and probably Chattanooga as well. The names that Turtledove gave to the people and places all have some sort of connection with the ACW names. I noticed several patterns:

1. Obviously based directly on the individual's name or home; examples are Ned of the Forrest, Edward Duke of Arlington, Hesmucet (loyalist general).

2. Some sort of pun (true for places as well as people), generally based on some reference totally independent of the name in question; examples are Essoville (a town where the Duke of Arlington lost a battle), Guilderstein, Bart (both loyalist generals), Camphorville (a city on the Great River captured by Bart). Nov 22, 2001 Addendum: Just about all of these references are from the 20th century.

3. A translation (usually for places - there are many towns in the USA with names that end with "burg," "ville," or "ton" - Turtledove switched them around); example - Karlsburg (the harbor city were the fighting started), Sentry Peak itself, Rising Rock (the town below it).

4. Old names for towns; examples - Marthasville

In general, I believe that all the action in Sentry Peak can be divided into one of two classes:

1. That which I recognize as being based on the Chikamauga/Chattanooga battles

2. That which I suspect that I would recognize if I knew more about those battles.

September 7, 2000 note: I will admit that some of the grunt level scenes, especially those involving the ex-serf Rollant, might had been invented, but I suspect that those scenes are a composite based on some soldier diaries that Turtledove had read.

Oct 14, 2001 Addendum: Turtledove has written a sequel, Marching Through Peachtree (which replicates the Atlanta compaign and immediate aftermath) and, having seen the Webscription of it, I must conclude that there will be at least one more title (to replicate the Hood's disastrous invasion of Tennessee and possibly Sherman's march across Georgia and capture of Savannah). Dec 1, 2002 Note: The 3rd title is Advance and Retreat and it is Hood's invasion plus aftermath. Perhaps Turtledove would do a 4th, but there is little war left and I would pass on the murder of King "Avram" and the aftermath of that.