Colonization: Down to Earth

Colonization: Down to Earth is an alternate history and science fiction novel by Harry Turtledove. It is the second novel of the Colonization series, as well as the sixth installment in the extended Worldwar series. British editions are entitled Colonisation: Down to Earth and are the second of the Colonisation series.

Colonization: Down to Earth

First edition
Author	Harry Turtledove
Cover artist	Tim O'Brien
Language	English
Series	Colonization
Genre	Alternate history/Science fiction
Publisher	Del Rey Books
Publication date	February 1, 2000
Publication place	United States
Pages	496
ISBN	0-345-43020-4
OCLC	42080306
Dewey Decimal	813/.54 21
LC Class	PS3570.U76 C64 2000
Preceded by	Colonization: Second Contact
Followed by	Colonization: Aftershocks

Plot

After the nuclear attack on the colonist ships in Second Contact, the Race continues to try to find the nation responsible, along with the purpose of the Lewis and Clark, a large space station launched by the United States. At the same time, the range of animals brought by the Race's colonists begins to spread into human nations, causing ecological trouble and causing conflicts between them.

In Nazi Germany, Heinrich Himmler, the Führer, dies unexpectedly in late 1964 and is replaced by Ernst Kaltenbrunner. Kaltenbrunner, angered by the policy of accommodation Himmler carried out towards the Race, including his refusal to invade the Race-occupied buffer state of Poland, initiates a nuclear war between Germany and the Race in 1965.