Nantucket series

The Nantucket series (also called the Nantucket trilogy or the Islander trilogy) is a set of alternate history novels by S. M. Stirling. The story begins when a cosmic disturbance known as "The Event"—visible as an elliptical dome of fire—transports the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts, and its inhabitants back to 1250 BC. This places them in the Bronze Age, among cultures like Ancient Egypt, the Hittites, and Mycenaean Greece, as well as various hunting and nomadic peoples. The series was nominated for the Sidewise Award for Alternate History in 2000. It is closely linked to Stirling's Emberverse series, where "The Change" serves as a similar point of departure.

The novels explore the day-to-day challenges of survival and the emotional trauma of losing modern life. A conflict soon develops between the democratic Republic of Nantucket and a group of renegade Americans led by ex–Coast Guard lieutenant William Walker, a character based on the historical filibuster of the same name. The island is fortunate to have the US Coast Guard barque *Eagle* transported with it, captained by a tough, experienced officer who leads Nantucket's armed forces (insisting on the term "Coast Guard" rather than "Navy," though she eventually builds a worldwide naval force). However, the ambitious and unscrupulous Walker seizes his chance, forming a band of renegades and fleeing the island to found a dynasty among Bronze Age peoples. He uses gunpowder and iron-forging to build an empire he believes will conquer the world.

As the series progresses, Nantucket's government realizes isolationism is impossible. They must build an army, navy, and foreign alliances to fight Walker, inadvertently creating their own empire. By the end of the third book, Nantucket is the dominant member of a growing network of allies, reminiscent of the British Empire. Britain (called "Alba" in the novels) is a protectorate and source of warrior tribes. Nantucketers (called "Eagle-People," "Islanders," or "Nan-Tukh-Tar") reenact Manifest Destiny three thousand years early: Native Americans on Long Island succumb to disease, and expeditions reach California by sea while settling what corresponds to Argentina. The Republic establishes "Outport" colonies worldwide—in the Caribbean, Argentina, the Azores, South Africa, Zanzibar, Madagascar, Mauritius, Bombay, and other strategic harbors.