1945 by Newt Gingrich, William Forstchen
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Book Reviews of 1945
Book Review: Could Have Been Great
Summary: 3 Stars
1945 offers the very best alternative history of WW2 I have read. First, the premise of Hitler's illness precluding his honest if unwise declaration of war on the USA is excellent, second the idea of a triumvirate settling the Eastern war, third the reaction of the recovered Hitler to the menace to Europe of a US atomic bomb. Wonderful foundations for a story. Indeed, insofar as the book then traces intergovernmental activities, it builds well on these foundations. The only weakness here, a small one at that, is a grotesque over-rating of Winston Churchill. I lived through World War II in London and the authors' admiring picture of this deeply flawed politician is almost hurtful. It would have been better to leave him out. Nonetheless, on this extraordinarily fine story basis, the authors build a fine tale of derring-do in which a fine bunch of brave American WW1 veterans with their own (possibly illegal) weapons defeat a larger group of famed highly-trained Nazi commandos supported by air power. The only weak point in the book for me was the introduction of a remarkable Air Force pilot who personally outfought the world famous Otto Skorzeny and in addition came up with strategic plans that both Admiral Halsey and General MacArthur admired. The only reasons I see for bringing in this super-super-hero are that it gives the authors a chance (1) to denigrate the FBI and (2) to lay out their concept of an elite planning group. This concept is excellent and I think justifies the book by itself. Let me say that the book is a good read, completely gripping except for the parts dealing with the super-super-hero and his friends.Book Review: Exciting 20th Century Swashbuckler
Summary: 5 Stars
Although not necessarily the most plausible of scenarios, the authors do an excellent job of engaging the reader, and display an extensive familiarity with WWII aviation. Unfortunately, politics seems to have precluded any possibility of the sequel this novel richly deserves.
Book Review: Another view of WW II
Summary: 3 Stars
As an alternate history Newt and Mr. Fostchen do an adequate job. Interesting concept and ideas combined with good interplay of facts and fiction. The Otto Skorzeny character is rich in development but the protagonist, James Martel, is weak and could use a little more depth. The battle scenes were adequate while the strategy and tactics OK. All in all an average alternate history novel. I was a little surprised when on the last page it said "To be Continued" only to find out that it was not. The future possibilities were interesting but alas not pursued. No gratuitous sex or violence.
Recommendation: Get it at the local library as it is very difficult to find.
Book Review: Not too shabby
Summary: 4 Stars
The sole problem is who wrote the book. Remove the name Newt Gingrich, and I'd bet anything that there would have been a lot more people who really liked it. It was alternative history, which although has been done almost to death, was sitll a good read. It was a work of fiction, it was fun to read, and I recommend it. The only downside is that there was supposed to have been a second book which never materialized. Oh well.Book Review: Get it at your library
Summary: 2 Stars
Well, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be - but that would be hard to do. 'Course, I suspect that the "Technical Editor's" job basically boiled down to taking some rough ideas from Newt, and doing the actual writing part of the book - if for no other reason than I've never heard of the job "Technical Editor" before...
It's basically straight military fiction, most of it revolving around the planning, execution, and fighting off of the strike on Oak Ridge - and but for the AH theme, it could be a middling Tom Clancy book.
Danger, Will Robinson! Much to your surprise, you will discover in the last chapter that this book had at least one unwritten sequel planned, and thus it just sort of ends in the middle of the setup for the next book (and as sales were...disapointing...for the first book, a next book that is wildly unlikely).
And this setup strikes me as stretching disbelief just a bit.
Not something I'd recommend buying, but if you're really bored, and it's available at the library...