I've just
finished reading this really interesting book, which is a commentary on a
wide range of potential scenarios as opposed to a deep analysis of a few
possibilities. Both approaches are useful to me personally, but it
seems that many other books in this genre focus on the latter approach
(like the alternate Battle of the Bulge discussions.......). In this work
Dennis Showalter has grouped a range of contributions from different authors,
from the Battle of Britain/Op Sealion, to the Allies not pursuing a
Mediterranean Strategy, the execution of D-Day in mid 1943, the war
starting a year earlier, the assassination of Hitler, Brits/US racing Russia to Berlin, the Alliance
fracturing etc. The broad discussion of each of these makes this book
easy to read and absorb, but can leave the passionate reader wanting more in
some scenarios.As always its important to understand that these style of books are analysis with deep hindsight and out of the original context. Decision makers of the time had incomplete pictures (of both sides usually) and a range of political and social pressures which can be lost in translation. Nevertheless, I found this an interesting and easy read that got my juices flowing for more. Recommended.
You can read another review of the book here:
Humm...it does seem really interesting.Thanks for sharing mate.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Yup. I'll have to look that one up.
ReplyDeleteWWII had such a huge impact on our modern world (Cpt. Obvious I know) that this type of thing is always interesting to speculate.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking only for the European theater, I often wonder what would have happened if the Nazis would have tried to win a more limited war in the West instead of grabbing everything at once or getting bogged down with Italy's campaign problems.
Or instead leaving Eastern Europe to her fate the chances of Britain and the US getting into a conflict with the Soviet Union. Interesting stuff!
Cheers,
Jason
Sounds like a thought provoaking book, thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteLooks like one to pick up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation, I might have to track this one down.Cheers.
ReplyDeleteI will be tracking this down.
ReplyDeleteIt's on my wish list now. Thanks
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very interesting book. Good starters for some "What if's". Thanks Paul.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a gem of a read, good outline of the book.
ReplyDeleteI shall keep me eyes peeled for this, sounds great!
ReplyDeleteLooks very tempting - I will look for it. And makes me wish I hadn't leant out my favourite SF novel, Philip K. Dick's The Man in the High Tower, about the Nazi/Japanese occupation of the US, because now I want to read it again!
ReplyDelete