A darn good collection of Turtledove's alt history stories, covering a wide swath of time from early history with centaurs to quirky sci-fi with aliens stealing thrones. The book begins and ends with longer works in the setting of Atlantis in the 19th century. What I enjoyed most about these stories is how he built the worlds. These really aren't action-heavy works; most tend to be intriguing slow burns, which suited my mood perfectly. ( )

Garbage. Can anyone tell a story anymore without being politically motivated and having an agenda? Really kind of off putting. Shame because I liked his Conan story. ( )

Substance: Inventive nearly (and not so nearly) parallel histories, some contingent on the existence of the large island Atlantis in the west Atlantic.
As with most alternate histories, this one can only be fully appreciated if one knows the actual history of this world. Some of the differences are subtle, some are outrageous. All are entertaining.
Style: Straight-forward narrative. Uses rhetorical tricks when appropriate to the story.
NOTES: Look up Jacques Doriot before you read "Uncle Alf" and "cycads" before reading "The Scarlet Band" (ignore the anti-Mormon propaganda; it also occurs in Conan Doyle's original story for the contemporary sensational value).

CONTENTS: (http://www.abebooks.com/9780451463647/Atlantis-Places-Turtledove-Harry-045146364....)

A famous naturalist seeks a near-extinct species of bird found only on the rarest of lands in "Audubon in Atlantis." (chronologically early in Atlantean history)
A young American on a European holiday finds himself storming an enchanted German castle in "The Catcher in the Rhine."
The philosopher Sokrates plays a key role in the Athenian victory over the Spartans in "The Daimon."
Centaurs take a sea voyage aboard "The Horse of Bronze" to a land where they encounter a strange and frightening tribe of creatures.
London's most famous detective, Athelstan Helms, and his assistant Dr. James Walton are in Atlantis investigating a series of murders in "The Scarlet Band" (chronologically the final story set in Atlantis).

Other stories include three 20th/21st century closely parallel alternates, "Bedfellows", "News from the Front", and "Uncle Alf"; a medieval murder mystery "Farmers' Law"; a Middle East send-up "Occupation Duty"; and two space comedies, "The Genetics Lecture" and "Someone is Stealing the Great Throne Rooms of the Galaxy". ( )

A mixed bag of short stories, some with very interesting concept, some others not so good, especially the Atlantis ones. ( )

Even really good authors have dull books. ( )