The brilliant conclusion to Turtledove's epic alternate history of the second half of the twentieth century, which began with the Worldwar trilogy and continued with the Colonisation trilogy. Halfway through World War II aliens invaded Earth. They were repelled - but not for long.

For the aliens known as the Race, the conflict with Earth has yielded dire consequences. Mankind has developed nuclear technology, years ahead of schedule, forcing the invaders to accept an uneasy truce with nations who can defend themselves. But it is the Americans, with their primitive inventiveness, who discover a way to launch themselves through distant space - and reach the Race's home planet itself.

As the twentieth century ends, a daring few men and women embark upon a journey no human has made before and arrive at the place called Home, at the centre of a flashpoint with terrifying potential.

For their arrival on the alien homeworld may drive the enemy to make the ultimate decision - to annihilate an entire planet, rather than allow the human contagion to spread.