Homeward Bound (Turtledove novel)
First edition cover
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| Author | Harry Turtledove |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Science fiction novel, alternate history novel |
| Publisher | Del Rey Books |
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Publication date
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December 28, 2004 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 608 pp (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | (firstf edition, hardback) |
| OCLC | 56591994 |
| 813/.54 22 | |
| LC Class | PS3570.U76 H66 2005 |
| Preceded by | Colonization: Aftershocks |
Homeward Bound (2004) is a science fiction, alternate history novel by Harry Turtledove. It is the eighth and final work in his Worldwar series fictional universe. It follows the events of the Colonization trilogy, and gives some closure to the storylines.
Homeward Bound begins in 1972, then flashes forward to 1977, 1982, 1984, 1994, 2012, and finally to 2031 when the American starship Admiral Peary arrives at Tau Ceti and Home, the homeworld of The Race.
Homeward Bound has multiple meanings in the book. It is a pun, in that the Race's home planet is called Home, and many characters are headed there. For characters that are members of the Race, such as Ttomalss, Atvar, and Straha, they are headed home after the failed conquest of Earth. For Kassquit, it is her cultural home, although not her biological one. The Earth ship Admiral Peary is headed to Home (the planet), where they will confront the Race and try to demand respect as an independent planet (or at least for the United States).
At the end of the novel, while most of the ship's crew has been in cryogenic sleep and suffered time dilation, they are given the chance to go back to Earth (their home). As each character arrives, they handle their return in the best way they can.
The Admiral Peary travels at between 0.35 and 0.4 c and took a little over 30 years, instead of 24 (the Race's starship velocities were one-half c), to cross the twelve light years between Earth and Tau Ceti. The ship is named Admiral Peary for its role as a military exploration ship, after Adm. Robert Peary, who did the same in Arctic exploration.
When the Admiral Peary arrives in orbit around Home, the Race's planet in the Tau Ceti system, it causes a crisis in the highest levels of the Race. The Race's Emperor Risson and Fleetlord Atvar (sent back to Home, with the dubious distinction of being the only Fleetlord not to conquer a planet) argue the merits and drawbacks of attempting to destroy mankind by massive nuclear strikes. Meanwhile, Researcher Ttomalss investigates reports of a major breakthrough by human scientists back on Earth.
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