Turtledove
Register
Advertisement
"In the Presence of Mine Enemies (story)"  
Asimovs Jan1992
Author Harry Turtledove
First Appearance Asimov's
Collected Departures
Genre(s) Alternate history
Publication date January, 1992

"In the Presence of Mine Enemies" is a short story by Harry Turtledove. It was originally published in Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine in January, 1992, and reprinted in the short story collection, Departures. Turtledove expanded the story into the novel In the Presence of Mine Enemies in 2003, making the story the first chapter of the novel with minimal revision.

The title comes from Psalms 23:5 in the Hebrew Bible.

The story (and the novel) depicts an alternate 2010 where Germany and its allies won World War II, at least in part because the United States remained neutral throughout. Despite the best efforts of the Nazis, Jews survive by passing themselves off as "Aryans". The story focuses on such a family, the Gimpels, who, along with various family friends who are also Jews, inform their eldest daughter of her true heritage when she turns ten. The story ends on an ambiguous but hopeful note.

Advertisement