Collection of short stories of various quality: nothing really memorable. ( )

My husband told me I needed to read this series, since it is his favorite. So I did. Not a bad series. This book is a series of short stories set in the Draka world, but written by different authors. Stirling just edited. ( )

This contains a set of alternate history short stories about the "Draka". The Draka start out as a slave-holding colony in South Africa around the time of the American Civil War and gradually engulf country after country until they dominate the entire world and eventually other dimensions. Along the way they participate in a messier version of World War II, enslave pretty much everyone they come across and genetically engineer themselves into a new species designed to dominate others.

The concept of the Draka is apparently based on a pre-existing set of novels, though I have not read those. But with only minor knowledge of those books (ie. what can be gleaned by reading the back cover and introduction) the reader can get by without further reading. Most of the stories in this book seem quite well written with a good knowledge of history on the part of the authors (better than my own at least).

However, I find it pretty tough to recommend the book to the casual reader simply because the stories are often quite brutal, graphic, or otherwise display a lack of value for human life. I found the effect to be less a matter of glorifying violence and more an instance of presenting discomforting imagery (as might be experienced in a concentration camp).

This is the story of an entire people who view you as merely an animal who should be obeying their desires, who no one will ever be able to persuade otherwise, and who will ultimately have their way in the matter. In as much the stories are frequently less like mainstream science fiction or even fantasy and take on a style more akin to certain segments of the horror genre.

- Peter K. ( )

Sample Chapters: http://webscriptions.net/chapters/0671319469/0671319469.htm