1862

by Robert Conroy

The Civil War comes alive in all its passion and fury–only now the Brits are fighting . . . alongside the Confederacy

Outraged when the U.S. Navy seizes three Confederates aboard an English sailing ship, Britain retaliates by entering the fray in support of the Rebels–and suddenly it’s a whole new war.

Once again, cotton is king as the North’s blockade crumbles before the might of the Royal Navy. While Lincoln confronts the monumental challenge of vanquishing mighty Britannia, the Redcoats revive their 1812 penchant for burning down American cities, and Union troops see Canada as ripe for the picking. From the Mississippi bayou to the Pennsylvania farmlands to the woods of Maine, the great armies of Generals Grant and Lee face off in the nation’s deadliest conflict. And to the victor goes history.

Genres: Alternate History, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction, Civil War, Military Fiction, War

410 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 28, 2016

About the author

Robert Conroy was a best selling author of alternate history novels. His 1942, which is set within a Japanese conquest of Hawaii, won the prestigious Sidewise Award for alternate histories.

After taking early retirement from automotive management, Conroy decided to combine his loves of history and writing. After discovering that Kaiser Wilhelm had plans to invade the U.S., he wrote his first alternate history, 1901 in which the invasion took place. He found alternate history fascinating and the possibilities never-ending. He also wrote for Military History Magazine.

Conroy had a MBA, was a US Army Veteran and was a retired instructor at Macomb Community College. He had a married daughter and two grandsons. He lived in southeastern Michigan with his wife of forty-plus years. He passed away in December 2014 from Cancer.

Reviews

[Tony Uzzell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seems to have been written to prove the point that, even had the Confederacy had British military support, the Union still would have won the Civil War (or, as I prefer to call it, "The Late Unpleasantness"). That's a point worth discussing and it's one that could be argued intelligently by historians , both amateur and professional, until the proverbial cows come home.

Where I run into trouble comes with the idea that adding the British in a supporting role to the Confederate cause allows the Union to not only remain victorious, but allows them to win the war in 1862 rather than 1865. This is a preposterous contention and detracted greatly from the enjoyment I might have gotten from the book. A British inclusion in the war might have done many things, but shortening it in favor of the Union is an asinine conclusion. It drives home the point to me that bad history and alternate history just don't mix.

[Matthew Clark · Rating 1 out of 5]

Alternate timelines are supposed to be fun and interesting, yet this one strayed so far from plausibility that I could never really enjoy it.

It took the Union until 1865 to beat the Confederacy. Are we really supposed to believe that with Britain entering the war on the side of the Confederacy, the Union would suddenly be able to win in 1862? There is absolutely no logic in that.

The sex scenes are completely irrelevant. The books supposed to be about the war, not an outlet for the author to get his jollies about lesbianism.

There is better stuff to read out there. Spend your time elsewhere.

[David R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps the British contemplated war on the side of the CSA in the wake of the Trent affair, but the outcome of this novel is entirely implausible to me. I doubt very much that the Union could have overcome the hugely longer odds of a two front war.

[Charles van Buren · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a believable alternate history, September 3, 2016

This review is from: 1862: A Novel (Kindle Edition)

The North had difficulty defeating the Confederacy. The idea that the Yankees could have prevailed against both the Confederacy and the British Empire is not believable.

[FetterKlovn · Rating 1 out of 5]

My god. I like other conroy books (1945, Red Inferno was brilliant IMHO), but this book sucked from page 1. No interesting characters, just top-brass talk, and the action that happens is a little black-and-white and not interesting.

What is worst: the Union not only wins despite the Brits entering War on the Confederate side, but wins within 1862 instead taking longer for it. The Confederates, in real life brilliantly led by Robert E. Lee, in this book run around like Zombies, or Orks, or something, they watch the Union shift armies from South to North, beat Brits, and then turn South before Lee does anything. The Rebels still look ragged despite the British Navy breaking the see barricade of the Union, and in reality the Brits, despite being the Number 1 World Power back then, are no help to the Confederates. And the Confederates even stop building their technology programmes (warships, for one), why should they?!?

I really flew over the last 50 heroic pages because it was clear that the Union would win without effort.

Boring read, sadly.

[John Love IV · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would have happened if the British had sided with the South after the Trent incident? This is one possible thought and one that's well written.

A very enjoyable alternative history!

[Tim Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alternate history has been a literary genre that I have kept at arm’s length for quite a while, thinking that I did not like it. But I decided to give this book a chance after coming across a copy at a used book sale. The premise was interesting to me so I thought I’d at least give it a try.

Boy I am glad I did. I really loved this story.

I found it to be incredibly well written. American Civil War alternate history often times ends with the Confederacy beating the Union. I am so glad this wasn’t the case in this book. The British declare war on the United States following the Trent Affair and enter the war as “associates” of the Southern Confederacy. Most of the book deals with the Union’s war with Great Britain, with Ulysses S. Grant taking a Union Army on an invasion of Canada while the Royal Navy wreaks havoc on Boston and New York. I found the characters to be well written and compelling. Really loved this book and will explore more of this author’s stories.

[Mary JL · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is based on a simple idea: What if Great Britain had entered the US Civil War on the Confederate side?

Of course, you could write dozens of novels on that premise and each could be different. What actually would have happened could be debated by historians for years. I lack enough historical knowledge of the real war to comment on whether thus and such tactical maneuver would have worked. So, I just enjoyed it.

Conroy does makes one good point.Many assume adding Britain's might would result in a slam-dunk win for the South. But it is not a given. Yes, Britain has lots more manpower--but also has to keep troops in the Crimea; the Far East and India. And Ireland---the British always had troops there. a second hindrance---without modern communications, fighting a war on the other side of the oceans creates many problems.

Admittedly, I find Conroy a bit optimistic in his 'timetable' of what would have happened.

Nevertheless it is a fun, sidewise in time alternate history. It is a good solid three star tale, a few inconsistencies and a few minor quibbles for me--but it kept me turning pages. Recommended for both SF alternate history fans and fans of historical fiction.

[Joe Stamber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read several of Robert Conroy's alternate history novels previously and thoroughly enjoyed them. I believe this was one of his earlier efforts and it's also my least favourite of those I've read to date. The idea of the British joining in on the side of the Confederacy in the American Civil War is a fascinating one and I was interested to see where Conroy took it. Unfortunately Conroy made everyone on the Confederate/British side incredibly stupid without a good idea between them and everything that could go wrong for them did. On the other hand, the Union side were full of bright ideas and couldn't put a foot wrong. It also didn't help that the characters had a habit of explaining themselves when it was completely unnecessary. I'm sure I'll enjoy other Conroy novels in the future but this one was a bit of a drag for me.

[Michael Toleno · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will be a short review since I read this nine years ago. Somehow I stumbled upon 1901, Robert Conroy's first novel, and I enjoyed it so much that I got this title through an interlibrary loan. I plan to read the rest of Conroy's novels of alternate history. This book portrayed some early successes by the South in the American Civil War—I don't recall the specific point of departure from real history—and overt support of the Confederacy by Britain and France. Like 1901, it was a fast and enjoyable read.

[Randy McCollum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy anything by Conroy, but was a little disappointed in the ending. Like others have already stated, the probability of the Union defeating the Confederacy reinforced by British regulars is somewhat unlikely. Overall this is still a good read.

[Elise Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting premise, I never knew until a few years ago, that the British considered intervening on the side of the Confederacy. I thought how this ended, was done well, and made for a better ending than what I had expected.

[kevin stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bully!

An excellent read! Characters come alive in a plausible imagining of an alternate version of our civil war. I applause Mr.Conroy for this delightful story. Very believable, and a fun read to boot.

[Ronn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this alternate history is that England involved itself in the American Civil War on the side of the Confederacy. This premise was historically plausible. I'm not sure that any of what follows is plausible or not, but it's just a novel, and I found it very enjoyable to read.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conroy makes some interesting inferences based on personalities and politics that I had never before seen as aplicable.

[Zachary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

[Mike Barone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid novel, mostly enjoyed it throughout. Just not the best from Robert Conroy.

[Vickie Woodard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent alternate history that had me checking Google to see what really happened and what didn't. Believable story line kept me guessing if the North still won; in this version of history anyway.

[Du · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good read for an airplane ride. It was a good premise with decent historic realism and strong characters.

[Paul Lunger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robert Conroy's "1862" offers an alternate version of American Civil War in a what if scenario if Great Britain rejects the American apology for the Trent incident & enters the war on the side of the Confederacy as a partner & not a full ally. In this version of events, the US decides to invade Canada while the British start firebombing cities again like they did in the War of 1812. We also have a condition of the Confederates set up by the British that if they help out slavery must end. The story itself is rather interesting twist on things as the south somewhat unsuccessfully invades the north & the north succeeds in conquering part of Canada. There is also an assassination attempt made on Lincoln at Ft Stephens that is tied into John Wilkes Booth. We also have an unnecessary slave revolt that seems to be there for not a lot of reasons either.

There are 2 issues I have with Conroy's story. The first is it seems a bit too convenient in how the events particularly those of the Americans in how easily they mobilize & conquer Canada. The other issue is after the battle of Washington, D.C. & the arrival of "secret orders" that are discovered that cause the British to cease hostilities with the U.S. & tell the Confederacy pretty much to either surrender or be destroyed. Also the fact that what is now Canada ends up essentially in American hands after the war while being plausible but highly unlikely.

Overall though this is a decent read for anyone looking at an alternate version of history even if it is a bit too convenient at times since Conroy does keep true to the characters & players within the war & the spirit of the Americans in 1862. I only wonder if this would've worked better had the story focused on more than one year if things would've ended differently.

[Kerry Trombley · Rating 2 out of 5]

A interesting alternate history novel describing what would have happened should England have declared war on the United States during the Civil War. The characters were well formed and the military history starts in line with what could have happened. However, this version of history simply assumed that after England declared war, the Union stopped making mistakes and became the military power it would be in 1865. It is hard to believe that the war department would have recognized both Grant and Sherman and promoted them to ranking positions. Militarily, the story seems plausible, but only under the assumption that the Union leadership made all the right choices, and appointed all the right generals, at the right time....which history tells us that this is very unlikely.

However, the story is a good read, and an interesting perspective on how the Union would have overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to triumph. I think the outcome would likely have never been in doubt, but how it got there is a little historically suspect...it likely would have been a much longer struggle.

(SPOILER) Furthermore, having Lee get shot just at the high tide of the invasion seems like a bit of a cop out...a lazy way to wrap up and end the story.

[Ed Rollins · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is an ok; it got me my alternate history fix when I needed it. That said, and to be blunt, the author’s no Harry Turtledove. Good Alternate History should spring from a simple “what-if”? In this case, what if the British had entered the Civil War on the side of the South? From that point on, history should be altered only by the rippled of triggering element (the theoretical what-if). While the story in 1862 is feasible, I never felt like the suspension of disbelief was in seriously jeopardy, he does make some broad reaching departures from the historical timeline that would not –should not- be affected by his triggering element. The book suffers from frequent bouts of lethargy which have, sadly, been filled in with more gratuitous sex than even I can stomach. I realize that I could be kicked out of the locker room for this; but I found the lesbian relationship between the tacked on love interest and the stereotypical French courtesan extraneous. The book ended with a whimper, collapsing under the absence of either plot or the development of the alleged alternate history. It felt as if the last few chapters were written on the train ride to the editor’s office.

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

Robert Conroy's "1862" tells of an alternate history Civil War in which Britain enters the war on the Confederacy's side after the "Trent" incident of 1862. In many ways this book reminds me of Harry Turtledove's works; unfortunately, "1862" isn't nearly as good. The overall story is decent, and involves a few good plot twists and some memorable naval battle scenes. However, the story seems forced at times, and Conroy's writing style occasionally falls into melodrama. More importantly, the book's historical base has some flaws -- for instance, using words and phrases that were not in popular usage during the Civil War era (such as "redneck") and having historical figures (such as Grant and Lee) being held in high regard well before their actual rise in prominence. Overall, "1862" is a fair effort, but ultimately leaves the reader unsatisfied.

[AJ Conroy]

I believe I have discovered the male version of the bodice riper-- alternative history. The amount of sex was a bit surprising, but I had been warned that there was a lesbian tryst (although sadly not on a battlefield as I had been told). I mentioned my theory to Dan who seemed a bit offended by the comparison. That makes me think I'm on the right track. It's enjoyable, escapism. Maybe it would be more palatable if I called it chic lit? Either way, I'm not buying the "but you learn history" argument for why this genre is more intellectually redeemable. It is fantasy. I'd recommend this book (and the others in the series) for those who like Tom Clancy because it's laden with technical details like Clancy's first books.

[Joseph Farand · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if England used the Trent Incident to enter the Civil War on the side of the Confederacy? It is generally held that Britain's entry would have resulted in a Union defeat. Conroy shows a different more plausible outcome, one that makes economic and strategic sense. Victory was anything but certain with the challenges of waging a trans-Atlantic war and the anti-slavery sentiments at home. The author does an excellent job of showing how the war would be impacted by new technologies such as ironclads, railroads and repeating rifles. All the major historical figures are portrayed well and make believable political and military decisions. An interesting read for alternate history and Civil War fans - highly recommended.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying Robert Conroy's alternate history stories. The premise here is that, unlike what actually occurred, the British choose to intervene on the side of the Confederacy in America's Civil War for a number of plausible reasons. The changes that ensue are interesting to see. I'm also even more curious to read a recent non-fiction book called "The Cause of All Nations," about other nations' reactions to our Civil War. I'll have to move it up on my TBR list. Perhaps it will make me doubt the plausibility of the premise of 1862, but even if it does, Conroy still tells a good story.

The Cause of All Nations An International History of the American Civil War by Don H. Doyle by Don H. Doyle (no photo)

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very impressed with the caliber of this book. Alternate history novels can sometimes be either cheesy or farfetched, but Conroy is quite thorough in his accuracy and in his research of the players on the stage at the time. The book reads like a historical fiction account of an actual battle, not unlike the books of Jeff Shaara, even though the battles taking place are completely fictional. The story provides a very realistic depiction of British entry on the Confederate side of the Civil War. Conroy does a good job creating the characters and the setting, and it feels like a quite probable book.

[Allen McDonnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Posthumous Treasure

I thought I owned everything Robert Conroy had published but just recently discovered this novel released years after his death in December 2014.

The novel is a quick read and quite enjoyable though it has a bit more adult intimacy than I expected based on his earlier novels. Here we find a US Civil War with moderate direct UK involvement in the form of a declaration of war and those consequences. Ironically the involvement of the UK serves to goad even more loyal Americans into joining the war effort and things tip inexorably in favor of Union forces once the full weight of this new enthusiasm can be harnessed for the Northern Cause.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, but with flaws. Because the author chose such a sweeping change in history, the ripples get complicated very quickly, and by the end, many subplots which had little or nothing to do with the alternate history ended up affecting the plot.
That said, the story kept my interest, and the basic premise was plausible, if you accept the premise that the British politicians were that set on their goals.

[Patrick Nichol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic addition to the alternate history canon of the U.S. Civil War.

While Conroy's theme is similar to Harry Harrison's Stars and Stripes Forever trilogy, I found 1862 more plausibile.

Where Harrison sends the war back to England and Ireland, Conroy has Grant invade Canada, and create serious cracks in the British/Confederate alliance.

I recommend this title for anyone interested in alternate history.