Worldwar

Q: "How many books are in the Worldwar series?"

"There are five books in the Worldwar series, published between 1994 and 1996."

Q: "What is the first book in the Worldwar series?"

"The first book in the Worldwar series is In the Balance, published in 1994."

Q: "What happens after the Worldwar series?"

"The story continues in the Colonization trilogy (starting with Second Contact) and wraps up with the standalone novel Homeward Bound. Together, the three series tell a complete story spanning decades of human-alien relations."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	In the Balance	1994	Harry Turtledove	Buy
2	Worldwar	1995	Harry Turtledove	N/A
3	Upsetting the Balance	1996	Harry Turtledove	Buy
4	Tilting the Balance	1995	Harry Turtledove	Buy
5	Striking the Balance	1996	Harry Turtledove	Buy

The Worldwar series is probably Harry Turtledove’s most popular work. The premise is irresistible: in 1942, right in the middle of World War II, an alien fleet called the Race arrives to conquer Earth. The catch is that the Race’s last reconnaissance mission was during the Middle Ages, so they expected knights on horseback instead of tanks and aircraft.

The five books follow characters on every side of the conflict as humans and aliens struggle for control of the planet. Turtledove juggles dozens of viewpoint characters across multiple continents, mixing real historical figures with fictional ones. The series continues in the Colonization trilogy and concludes with Homeward Bound.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Worldwar series?

There are five books in the Worldwar series, published between 1994 and 1996.

What is the first book in the Worldwar series?

The first book in the Worldwar series is In the Balance, published in 1994.

What happens after the Worldwar series?

The story continues in the Colonization trilogy (starting with Second Contact) and wraps up with the standalone novel Homeward Bound. Together, the three series tell a complete story spanning decades of human-alien relations.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order