Hitler's War (The War That Came Early, Book One)

A well written book..but not up to Turtledove's earlier standards. Not much action... but it does carry itself on.... I've not read the next book in this line... hope it gets better...

What if World War Two broke out a year earlier, during the Czech Crisis of 1938? That is the premise of Harry Turtledove's new alternate history novel, Hitler's War. Germany invades Czechoslovakia in September 1938. As a result, Britain, France and the Soviet Union declare war on Germany. Poland more fearful of Stalin than Hitler, ends up going to war against the Soviet Union. I found this novel an enjoyable read. There are a few subtle differences in the politics of the time. For example, although the Soviet Union is fighting against the Nazis, they are not quite allies with Britain and France. The action takes place mainly in Europe, with a bit of attention given to the Japan and the Soviet Union's ambitions in the Far East. There is a rarely a dull moment in the storyline, which is a real roller coaster ride, with a large cast of characters. Unfortunately, which such an vast amount of characters, it is hard for the author to go too much in-depth about each one, but as this is the first volume of series, I am sure we will learn a lot more about them, in future installments.

WWII starts a year early in this new book. The German army is not as prepared for the comming war and it changes battles. This is a good start for the new series of books. Can't wait for the next book. Well worth your money.

In 1938 England and France were prepared to tear away the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia and cede it to Germany until the leader of Sudeten Germany Konrad Heinlien takes refuge in Germany. A Czech assassinates him giving Hitler the excuse to invade. Neville Chamberlain and Messer Daladier refuse to sign the treaty that Hitler offers them. Hitler declares war. The Czechs fight bravely, but are easily overwhelmed by the superior Nazi army abetted by Slovakia independence supporters. The German war machine quickly conquers Holland, Belgium and Lichtenstein. While leaders of both sides map strategic objectives, individuals struggle with the effect of the hostilities. Peggy Druce came to take the waters at Marianske Lazne but ended up a neutral stuck in Berlin unable to go home. The Goldmans always thought they were Germans first and Jews second until the Third Reich destroyed their beliefs. Their son joins the German army under a false name. Besides the prime fronts, there are other local wars like the Spanish Civil War where American Communists fight against Fascist forces. In China, the Japanese have invaded China while American marines have a ringside seat to the pacific Theatre. However, the biggest news is the German blitzkrieg heading towards Paris. Harry Turtledove once again changes a pivotal point in history and provides his answers to what if Chamberlain said no to Hitler. In HITLER'S WAR, neither side is at full readiness especially the Allies who were stunned when war broke out as they adhered to their belief that they fought two decades earlier "the war to end all wars." Mr. Turtledove shows the impact of war on individuals who are powerless and quickly lose all hope. Although the alternative history premise is fun to follow due to a strong execution, it is the little people who bring heart and soul to the epic of "war what is good for, absolutely nothing: (Edwin Starr). Harriet Klausner

Harry Turtledove, dubbed by some as "the master of alternate history" is at it again. This time it's in the book "Hitler's War", a book that's clearly the start of (yet another), alternate history based around World War II. The point of departure this time concerns a Spaniard, Sanjurjo, who died in our world but survived in this one. That somehow leads to a Czech assassination of a leading Nazi, which means that, rather than Hitler getting Czechoslovakia as a form of appeasement, he instead has to go to a war that neither he nor the allies are really prepared for. What follows are the usual multiple POV characters, the standard blood and gore and, for Turtledove at least, a remarkable lack of semi-graphic sex-scenes. We see the war through the eyes of Americans fighting the Spanish Civil War, an American Marine legation in Peking, soldiers on all sides and an American woman stranded in Berlin. Of course there's also the requisite Jewish POV character and a German U-Boat commander who, in this universe as well as ours, sinks a ship called the SS Athenia... One problem I, and many fans have, is Turtledove's repetitiveness. Did you know, for example, that in the "Worldwar" series, Sam Yeager has false teeth from having the Spanish Flu back in 1918? It's true! You might not notice it since it gets mentioned in every single book. Also, Clarence Potter in the "Timeline 191" series speaks like a Yankee. Again, something you might not notice, since it gets mentioned in every book. I actually don't have a huge problem with this when it's from book to book. After all, most of these are published a year apart from each other, so little reminders of various things are ok, and it's only an issue when reading them as a group. But this book really takes the cake. Twice we're told that the German uniforms make the French ones look old fashioned, three times we learn that the French uniform in the first war was the wrong color, and no less than FOUR TIMES we're told that a Stuka becomes lighter and more maneuverable once the bombs are dropped. Turtledove really needs to be aware of this issue and give his audience at least a little credit for paying attention so he doesn't have to make the same point multiple times IN THE SAME BOOK. That said, the book is also usual Turtledove in that it is well-researched and entertaining. It's clearly part one of what I'm guessing will be a several part series (it covers time from 1937 to 1939), and I'm guessing each of the next books will cover about a year or so. If the war ends in 1945, we can expect seven books in the series. That should be entertaining. If the rest are as well-done as the first, we're in for a real treat!