The Tide of VictoryAN EVILThe 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 GUIDEThose 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 eviland an army that can be the spear through evils heart. A CRUSADEWith 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 Hellfor all time! A VICTORY!Politics, battle, and heroic adventure in a vivid alternate past! ABOUT THE AUTHORSEric Flint is a gifted new star of military and alternate history SF and now shows a masterful skill at fantasy adventure. His first novel for Baen, Mother of Demons, was picked by Science Fiction Chronicle as a best novel of the year. His alternate history novel, 1632, sold out its first printing almost immediately and received lavish critical praise. With David Drake he has collaborated on the acclaimed Belisarius series, of which The Tide of Victory is the fifth. His latest solo novel for Baen is the fantasy adventure The Philosophical Strangler. A longtime labor union activist with a degree (Phi Beta Kappa) in African history, he currently resides in northwest Indiana with his wife Lucille. Vietnam veteran, former lawyer, former bus driver, and now famous author, David Drake tells a military story like no other. His readers recognize that he can take them where no one else can, with gut-wrenching description that puts them face-to-face with the enemy, and in the midst of the action right on the battlefield. Drake helped create the audience for mercenary military science fiction with his bestselling Hammers Slammers books. Drake graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Iowa, majoring in history (with honors) and Latin. His stint at Duke University Law School was interrupted for two years by the U.S. Army, where he served as an enlisted interrogator with the 11th Armored Cavalry in Vietnam and Cambodia. Drake has a wife, a son, and various pets. Illustration by Gary Ruddell |
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This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental. First printing, July 2001 Distributed by Simon & Schuster Printed in the United States of America |
ISBN: 0-671-31996-5Copyright © 2001 by Eric Flint & David Drake All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form. A Baen Books Original Production by Windhaven Press Electronic version by WebWrights |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSAs this series has progressed, a number of people have provided us with assistance in one manner or another. It's time to thank them:
. . . and probably several others I've forgotten to mention, for which my apologies in advance. I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank Janet Dailey for the many ways in which she's helped me out over the past year or so. I can't remember if that assistance involved my work on the Belisarius series, but it probably did—and even if it didn't, she's way overdue for my public appreciation anyway. Eric Flint To Dick and DoloresThe Belisarius Series
An Oblique Approach
BAEN BOOKS by ERIC FLINT
Mother of Demons
BAEN BOOKS by DAVID DRAKERCN series
Hammer's Slammers
Independent Novels and Collections
The General series
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