1940: In Europe Hitler’s original plans to start a war the year before have been delayed, giving Germany another year to build up it’s vast military strength.
The Allies, by contrast, continue to try and appease the dictator in vain hopes of avoiding a repeat of the First World War. Prime Minister Chamberlain attempts to negotiate a treaty before things get too far out of control.
Meanwhile, Winston Churchill tries desperately to rally his country in order to meet the threat that he knows is coming. Elsewhere, Japan’s war in China continues to ravage that country.
Millions are already dead and now the Japanese eye Siberia and the East Indies as prizes to be won. They also understand that their aggression may very well bring them into conflict with the United States.
In America, President Roosevelt watches as the situation unfolds and begins making his own country’s plans if they have to fight.
From Europe to the Far East the world seems to be teetering on the brink of another global conflict. Atrocities committed by Japanese troops on Chinese civilians are just a warm up for crimes to come.
A delayed war could have given the Axis Powers the edge they needed in order to achieve a victory!
Will America’s vast industry and resources be enough to support their allies?
Will Britain survive against a Germany much stronger than it otherwise would have been in 1939?
A single delay in planning could very well change history...
Loved it. Saying this novel reminds me of Turtledove is just too easy. Harry can get a little descriptive and bog down a chapter, Tavian Brack kept it quick and explosive . Alternate history at its best. I enjoyed everything about this. Book 2, here I come!
My question is: who is the target audience? I am a baby boomer and quite knowledgeable about the start of WWII. I even was raised on Oahu in Hawaii and am aware of the Dec 7 attack on American assets on Oahu. I was even able to take boat tours before any memo trials were built. I do believe it is important to share military history with newer generations. However this book goes into too much detail of each person Which really alowa.down the pace and allows boredom to creep in. My opinion is that this book needs to be condensed to "just the facts ma'am".
I thoroughly enjoyed this narrative. Not much of a variation from factual. It moves from areas of interest to the next in a very rational way, keeping interest at high alert. There was stages that increased my heart rate as if I was there. My advice is to buy this book you will not be disappointed.
This alternate history novel brings a fascinating what‑if scenario to life by imagining what might have happened if World War II had been delayed long enough for the Axis powers to grow even stronger. Set against the looming threat of global conflict in 1940, the story follows leaders like Chamberlain, Churchill, and Roosevelt as they struggle to respond to rapidly changing geopolitical realities and the expanding ambitions of both Germany and Japan. The narrative combines historical tension with speculative twists that keep the stakes high and the reader engaged.
The world on the brink of war setting, along with the sense that every strategic decision could change history, makes this a compelling read for fans of military fiction and alternate timeline stories. If you enjoy imagining how small changes in key moments might reshape the world, you’ll find this book thought‑provoking and immersive.
📧 With admiration for your creative exploration of history feel free to connect with me at authorsarahalderson@gmail.com or visit www.sarahalderson.com
Exciting World War 2 Drama! But Very Slow Developing into the Expected Alternate History SciFi
I’ve plowed thru the first 10 chapters, and this is an interesting World War 2 book, but so far with only a minor change (delay) in dates for the start of the real German invasion of Europe [and giving Hitler a more powerful fighting force].
My history knowledge may also be fuzzy on the British political side of things written so far, but there’s not much in this book to grab a SciFi interest, and I’m not sure I want to read the other 3/4 of a war book without a distinct Alternate History angle … (so I’ve elected to quit, and move on to something that grabs me more).
I’ve read many books of this type over the years but this is by far one of the best I won’t go into the plot which is plausible and not a million miles away from reality but will say it is very well written and I couldn’t put it down I can’t wait to read the next one in the series which I hope is soon
The characters are well established and very plausible , their actions pretty much conform to what they actually did and how the reacted. It is a good read and well worth the time to take it in and consider how close we may have come to catastrophe. Appeasement never works.
An enjoyable read with historical characters written accurately and the altered battle outcomes are worth the read the only thing that let's it down is it hasn't been proof read for spelling mistakes which unfortunately can break the flow of the writing and there are many spelling mistakes
Nothing to dislike, a well researched book . I would recommend this book to all. There is plenty of action, and a very well written description of the events in the seats of power, also well described events on land and sea, a really enthralling read
How a year can change the outcome of the war Hitler in a coma after a car accident some of the main players are killed a good novel of an alternate timeline of history
What a difference a year could have made. Very well thought out story, and a enjoyable read. Small minor grammar errors but they did not take away from the story. If you like Alternate History, then this is a story for you. Recommend.
Great character development. Battles seemed mostly realistic. Did not care for the not-so-subtle jab at America (complaining about immigrants and comparing conservatives to national socialists with the "make Germany great again" comment).
Well written alternative history. Much like a Harry Turtledove minus the page filling narrative on 12 different characters. Close enough to reality you go “hhhmmm could be”
Better then many other alternate histories I have read. Hopefully follow ups will not disappoint. Spoiler, Japan going North could be an interesting twist.
I know this story came out of the author's mind, but he wrote in such detail, when tge French general got killed, it brought back to me FICTION. Excellent reading.
Hitler is in a car accident. This delays the start of WWII. Germany has more time to train and build up its military. The USA and Britain continue hoping for peace.
Given that this is a counter-factual book, it's hard to know if the author is deliberately changing things up or is just ignorant of basic military gear and terminology. Though a bolt action rifle, the Lee-Enfield holds ten rounds, not just five. 8.8 cm flack guns weren't used in the anti-tank role in the 1939 German invasion of France and the low countries. Naval ships have compartments, not rooms. The list goes on. There were also mistakes in grammar. Taken together, it was an ordeal keeping my unbelief suspended. One other thing that bothered me. With most good alternate history stories, the question being answered is 'what would happen if" things happened differently at a certain inflection point. Like, what would happen if the British and French had moved into Belgium during the 'phony' war and set up good defenses and the German attack was beaten back or, what would happen if the USA declared war on Germany over the invasion of Poland instead of remaining neutral? All the changes that followed would flow from these alternate happenings. This book, on the other hand, simply makes changes to the way individual events happened that don't have any logical follow on effects. I won't be reading any more in this series.