Operation Shatterhand

by Jake Page

THE INVASION
May 7, 1944. In the dark of predawn, across the Mexican border and into the sleepy, sparsely populated desert lands of the American Southwest rolls a convoy of military vehicles--half-track trucks, troop trucks, and tanks. The very few people awake to witness it assume the armored detail is an American Army recruiting drive out of Fort Bliss.
In fact, it is Operation Shatterhand, the master plan of a German officer who intends to conquer the Americans by dividing them in their own land.
When word reaches the government of the invading Germans, FDR wants the incident handled quietly, lest the American populace panic. Suddenly it is up to a handful of Indians--Navajo and Hopi, hereditary enemies--to find a way to stop the German incursion.
The Indians lost America once. They are not about to lose it again . . .

Genres: Science Fiction, Alternate History

322 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 30, 1996

About the author

Jake Page was a celebrated editor, science writer, and novelist who made complex topics accessible through wit and clarity. Though he never studied science formally, his role editing Natural History Books at Doubleday sparked a lifelong passion for explaining science to general readers. As science editor and columnist at Smithsonian magazine, he wrote with elegance and humor on a wide range of subjects, from aspirin to Zane Grey. Page authored dozens of books, including works on birds, earthquakes, and Native American history. His fascination with the American Southwest led to a mystery series featuring a blind sculptor-detective. Collaborating with his wife, photographer Susanne Anderson, he produced detailed cultural studies like Hopi and Navajo. His major nonfiction achievement, In the Hands of the Great Spirit, traces 20,000 years of American Indian history. Whether exploring anthropology or writing fiction, Page championed curiosity, clarity, and the belief that science was too important to remain only in expert hands.

Reviews

[Chris The Lizard from Planet X · Rating 3 out of 5]

Operation Shatterhand By Jake Page, is a sci-fi alternative history novel exploring the “What if?”

Set in a alternate 1944, where the Nazis set in course a plan called Operation Shattered Hand. The goal to distract the United States by using a special commando force to sabotage a country already stretched thin by the global conflict. As the Nazis forces gain a foot hold in the American Southwest. It’s up to a mixed force of Navajo and Hopi Indians to save the country from the Nazi invasion.

The book mainly focuses on three main characters. An ex-Marine Navajo Indian Slink, A US Army intelligence officer Captain Ben Cameron, and a German infantry Officer Major Heinrich Schalberg. While also having some POVs focused on multiple side characters ranging from American civilians to German soldiers. Author Jake page does a good job with each of these characters, but what’s surprising is the main villain Major Schalburg gets the most character development throughout the book. The main cast of good guys really felt underdeveloped compared to the Nazi villain character.

One thing I thought was really interesting was the world building author Jake Page put into the 1940s era Hopi-Navajo country area of the American Southwest. You can tell he did a a lot of research because he puts a lot of detail into the various Indian tribes and traditions in the area, and the land details about that part of the United States. While I enjoyed the author’s style of character and world building it’s also the books biggest drawback because a good chunk of the book is dedicated to this narrative style, and the action scenes kinda take a back seat.

While it’s no Harry turtledove author Jake Page manages to make a unique alternative history story. It’s Just a fun read! While the prose was not the best it held my interest and kept me turning the pages. The alternate history point of departure is very unique (Nazis invading America in 1944 fighting a mixed force of Navajo and Hopi Indians) l liked his more narrative approach to unfolding the story and found the plot engaging, believable, and historically accurate. The book also has interesting extrapolation ideas and alludes to some interesting changes in the future because of the departure.

Overall, While I had a few problems with it Operation Shatterhand was an entertaining sci-fi alternate history story. One I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a decent WW2 war thriller.

[William Sariego · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't Harry Turtledove, but it was mildly entertaining.