War of the Worlds: New Millennium

By Douglas Niles

Book Overview

Imagine if H.G.Wells' Martians launched their attack tomorrow. First there was the mysterious loss of contact with the Mars probe. Then a few flashes of light detected via telescope on the planet's surface, and several pieces of undefined space debris traveled through space and fell to earth. And thus the "War of the Worlds" began. From an isolated farmhouse in rural Wisconsin to the mall in Washington D.C., our world had becomes a battlefield against the alien intruders from Mars whose superior weapons and defenses dwarfed the Pentagon's latest weaponry. By order of the President, scientists and soldiers pooled resources and inspiration to overcome a threat that appeared bent on our annihilation, while all across the land brave and bold Americans waged their own efforts of resistance against the Martian menace. At stake not just the dominion of Earth, but mankind's own survival. Inspired by the H.G.Wells masterwork "War of the Worlds" and updated with the technothriller technology of today, Douglas Niles has written a contemporary novel of alien invasion that successfully combines the genres of Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle with Tom Clancy and Larry Bond.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765350009
• ISBN13: 9780765350008
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 359 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.3" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Triumphant Updating of Classic Tale

Douglas Niles does an excellent job of bringing The War of the Worlds to a new millenium, with rich, credible characters, realistic reactions to the Mars threat, and great technical detail on the hardware and military maneuvers that would be involved in repelling the invasion. I have had occasion in the last year to read and review both Joe Haldeman's The Coming (dealing with some similar themes) and Charles Sheffield's Aftermath (sharing a major plot point). While I was disappointed with both those efforts, I am enthusiastic about War of the Worlds: New Millenium. Doug Niles gets right what those books got wrong. While having a broad geographic scope overall, we see interrelated characters in situations which are appropriate to the plot, government actions which make sense, and an ending which is appopriate to the story and the reader's expectations. Highly recommended, with great action, a terrific military feel, and excellent narrative. A real page-turner. I also recommend Fox on the Rhine, by Douglas Niles. Donald J. Bingle, Author of Forced Conversion.

An excellent take on a true classic

I have to begin this review by saying that I really hated this book...before I read it. I am a huge fan of the original War of the Worlds and have loved many of the derivitive works related to it - from the Orson Welles radio broadcast and George Pal film to the Jeff Wayne album and Manly Wade Wellman's Sherlock Holmes And The War Of The Worlds. I was terrified, however, that this book would be a tremendous let down. I could not have been more wrong! Knowing how talented Mr. Niles is, I picked up the book and dived in - doing my best to be fair. In just a few pages, I was hooked. The story picked me up and carried me along effortlessly. I found that all my original concerns were utterly unfounded. Fans of Mr. Niles will agree that he's hit another home run with this book. Those new to his work will find a work that expertly blends the classic tale of Martian invasion with a keen understanding of modern military tactics and hardware. This is a book you won't want to put down, so pick it up soon!

Well written as usual, another great Niles book

I've read almost all of the novels written by Doug Niles and this is one of his best works. Even knowing the story, I was surprised by the interesting twists and turns of the book. You can always expect a Niles book to be well researched and fast paced and this is no exception. I honestly finished the book hoping they'd talk him into continuing the story. Well worth the time and the price. James M. Ward

better than ever

It was hard to put this book down, even when I could only keep one eye open late into night. Doug Niles brings the horror of the famous Martian invasion story into the 21st century. You share in the passion of the main characters as they battle angrily, and hopelessly, against the Martian attack. How can our planet survive this new invasion when our most potent and modern weapons are rendered inoperable by a far superior force? Led by a brave few, with only their hearts and minds left to battle the gruesome creatures, you'll find out if the expression "where there's a will, there's a way" once again holds true. Another gripping tale that stands up to the original - a must read!

From a fellow author: Well Done!!

I was given a preview copy of this title. I too am a military sci-fi writer, so I was asked to review it. All I can say is that I wish I had written it! Man, this one is a great one! I'm not interested in seeing the Tom Cruise movie now, as it can't be as good as this book. Usually, I just skim these things. This one was a joy to read, and I couldn't put it down. It follows the somewhat typical War of the Worlds sequence, but it's set in modern America, and it has some marvelous twists. I knew the original story, so I thought I wouldn't be hooked (I'm a plot-guy, after all). Niles even weaves in some of the detail of the original into the new plot. He's even got the crazed artilleryman, wanting to start a new civilization! Yet, it's done in a way that I didn't see it coming. Very cool indeed. This is a top recommendation from another writer. Go read it now!