Fox on the Rhine

'Fox on the Rhine,' by Douglas Niles and Micheal Dobson, is a wonderful story of just how differently World War Two could have turned out if the Army Officers plot had succeeded in killing Adolf Hitler. In 'Fox' Hitler is killed at Rastenberg on July 20th, 1944 and Germany is soon thrown into a sea of chaos. Heinrich Himmler and his SS soon move to gain the loyalty of the army and seek a seperate peace with the Soviets. Once that's accomplished, Himmler appoints Erwin Rommel, 'the Desert Fox,' to command an alternate version of the 'Battle of the Bulge.' While at times Dobson and Niles spend a little too much time showing off the fruits of their research, which is impressive, they do manage to tell a riveting story, and while some aspects of 'Fox' do stretch the reader's believabilty, the story is riveting and builds to an explosive climax. But perhaps the most fun is the simple question that the authors ask and attempt to answer: What would have happened had Erwin Rommel commanded the Ardennes Offensive? A great ride that ranks among the best works of alternate history.

I started this book on a flight to Seattle and couldn't put it down. I finished it that night! The "what if Hitler died in the bomb blast" idea has been around but an alternative story that is believable has never been so well done. In addition to those characters who are famous, the authors include many characters, from the battle-shocked American tank commander to the patriotic Luftwaffe pilot, characters who represent those who fought the battles daily for both sides. And for a change people on both sides are fairly intelligent. Of course there are the racist Nazi's but the German's aren't portrayed as being all idiots or all racists, who constantly do stupid things.The military battles are well thought out, both in terms of strategy and tactics (I don't like authors of military books who really have no grasp of strategy or tactics). However it is the politics that is really the core of the book, and after all that is what war is really about - the success or failure of politics.My only complaint is that although the book ends, the story doesn't which means I have to wait a year or so to find out what happens next.If you like authors like W.E.B. Griffen, Stephen Coonts and Harold W. Coyle, you will love this book.

The authors of this book have crafted an enjoyable and believable piece of fiction around interesting and exciting events. While some of the circumstances do require some suspension of disbelief, that's certainly par for the course with Alternate History writing. Anyone looking for a good read with some well-thought-out twists will do well to pick up this book. The authors are to be congratulated.

The premise that Hitler dies in the bunker is a tiny change to history. He almost died that day, but fate saved him. Niles and Dobson took that privelege away and the book flows from there. As an ex-Army officer, with a background in WWII history, I'd say this is a rocking-good book! The soldiers feel like soldiers, and the combat scenes are very satisfying. Rommel comes across as a true General, like many that I have met in real life. Kudos to Niles and Dobson. I read it in one day, and it was a great day!BTW, I read the other reviews here, and I have to wonder if these guys are WWII or ground combat enthusiasts. I don't think 5 stars is too high a rating, but I certainly think 1 or 2 is far too low. If you like this stuff, you'll love this book!

Wow! It's rare that a long-awaited novel meets my expectations, but Fox on the Rhine not only met them, it smashed them flat beneath the treads of advancing panzers!The essence of the plot is believable and eminently satisfying. The authors twisted history just a bit to create a compelling tale that takes WWII on an interesting new time-line.The characters are strong and believable, mostly historical and well researched. The technical military detail is superb. The authors' knowledge of the campaigns, command structures, and military possibilities leaps off of every page. Battles are presented in an exciting, readable manner so they are easily followed and brutally realistic.I highly recommend Fox on the Rhine to any fan of alternate history or WWII drama. I can't wait to read their next book!