is this an alternative history?
i can only agree with the previous reviewer, about many facts being "unknown to the reader" from the history of the 19th century as mr.harrison describes it. one may well ask:" if the technology of the 19th century was so advanced almost after the napoleonic wars ended, how could it be that there were no fax machines or television during ww1,to use but one example?". that's right. we are given to understand that television existed as early as the 1830's! could it be that the diogenes club has copies of the coronation of queen victoria as broadcast? i would'nt be surprised, in a world that seems to hint very broadly of a collaboration between conan-doyle and jules verne(not a bad idea in itself). i therefore gave this book the highest rating, because it contains such entertaining possibilities for an alternative history.