Red Rain

I really liked this book. I found out about a bit of history I knew absolutely nothing about. I especially liked Yoshi, the main character, and getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse into World War II Japan. Wendel does a great job weaving together two compelling storylines and creating great sympathy for those who perform thankless but critical tasks. Very moving.

Romance, espionage and a fascinating, little-known piece of World War II history--all woven into this well-written novel. Tim Wendel has uncovered a secret kept by the US Govt. during the waning days of WWII--the Japanese fire balloon--and turned it into this captivating thriller. Wendel's research into this chapter of history, as well as his own experience as an elite "hotshot" firefighter early in his career, are evident in the narrative as the characters battle the "red rain" set by these ingenious weapons. There are several very gripping scenes of firefighting, and a very satisfying conclusion.

This story, inspired by a element of WWII history with which most of us are probably unfamiliar, woven into a well told love story and combined with a vivid description of how wild fires are fought, makes for a great read. Heartily recommended.

Who knew that the Japanese launched balloons near the end of World War II that were designed to cross the Pacific, land in the United States and cause all sorts of chaos? Tim Wendel, that's who. Tim discovered this little-known footnote to the War and spun it into a fine novel. This could have been a short history book or article, but Wendel nicely expands the story into one involving Japanese-Americans of the time as well as the ins and outs of fire-fighting. The plot moves along nicely and has Wendel's fine sense of place in addition to educating the reader along the way. "Red Rain" is definitely worth your time.

Japanese-Americans will want to read `Red Rain' for its beautiful and moving depiction of Japanese-Americans who defended their country during the Second World War. The novel perfectly captures the American spirit at the time: the willingness to sacrifice for a greater cause and the capacity for heroism in every man. `Red Rain' has cinematic sweep, suspense, and action bound together with masterful writing; an expertly crafted, nuanced historical thriller.