The Tide of Victory

Written by David Drake and Eric Flint

Narrated by Pete Bradbury

An evil
The creators of the monster called Link once were human, but that was distant ages in their past. Now, from the far future, they have sent their creation back to shape the world of the 6th century
AD into the form that will make their own foul existence possible.

Taught and ruled by Link, the Malwa Empire has spread from the Indus Valley, across India and into Mesopotamia. Its inhuman master has chosen its instruments from the most brutal and
degraded members of humanity, and they have served its monstrous ends well.

A guide
Those in the future who never were human have sent their own messenger to the past: Aide, a gleaming jewel who can warn but not lead; who can teach the construction of new weapons but cannot wield those weapons himself.

Aide has come to Belisarius, the greatest general of the 6th century and perhaps any century. Between them they have forged an alliance of all the world against evil—and an army that can be the spear through evil's heart.

A crusade
With lancers and breech-loading rifles, with steamships and with galleys, Belisarius is marching into the Malwa heartland. In a world aflame with treachery, assassination, and slaughter beyond anything
save the battles of mythology, he and his companions know only one sure thing: if they fail, their whole world is doomed to living Hell—for all time!

A victory!
Politics, battle, and heroic adventure in a vivid alternate past!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9781980049784

David Drake

David Drake (born 1945) sold his first story (a fantasy) at age 20. His undergraduate majors at the University of Iowa were history (with honors) and Latin (BA, 1967). He uses his training in both subjects extensively in his fiction. David entered Duke Law School in 1967 and graduated five years later (JD, 1972). The delay was caused by his being drafted into the US Army. He served in 1970 as an enlisted interrogator with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, the Blackhorse, in Viet Nam and Cambodia. He has used his legal and particularly his military experiences extensively in his fiction also. David practiced law for eight years; drove a city bus for one year; and has been a full-time freelance writer since 1981, writing such novels as Out of the Waters and Monsters of the Earth. He reads and travels extensively.

Reviews for The Tide of Victory

[karlstar_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good military scifi/alternate history. Really more alternate history than scifi, as it deals with Eastern Rome vs. a mythical Indian kingdom. Good characters, good action, excellent military tactics and strategy. Unfortunately everything that happens feels like a foregone conclusion, we know Belisarius is going to win.

[traveller1_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

#4. Took much longer to read this copy. Belisarius pushes the bad guys back. Now they are on the defensive. The constant slaughter grows depressing. Not sure about #5.

[timothyl33 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Better written than the previous three books in the series, "The Tide of Victory" still suffers from a weak beginning, and one of the dumbest covers I've ever seen.