This is actually a trilogy of which I read the first two books: "Hitler's War" and "West and East". The premise is simple: what if Chamberlain and Deladier refuse Hitler's demands at the Munich conference?As opposed to other Turtledove books where historic personalities have a major role in the story and keep doing things that are out of character in this story we meet historic personalities only in the fist chapters that set up the basic situation.Turtledove makes some assumptions which go against my understanding of plausible historical behavior and also deviates from actual historical events that actually happened in 1938 - like the defeat of the Japanese Kwantung army by the Soviets. I also, for example, don't see Stalin declaring war on Germany in 1938, together with France and Britain, and doing his best to help Czechoslovakia. Putting these things aside the story is plausible enough.Turtledove's story telling is somewhat muddled. Using only rank and file participant's view makes some of the events less than clear. I can see why the author chose this style: he evades the need to explain why strategic decisions were made the way they unfold or even explain what is going on in the big picture. This is a weakness since some of these decisions make no sense and without a wider view leave the reader frustrated.All in all it's not a bad series of books and I'm looking forward to reading the third one in the trilogy. This was my first foray into "Alternate History" fiction and I am hooked. After reading wwii non fiction tombs by Hastings and Beevor I was ready for something different. Turtledove did not fail to deliver either. The book focuses on the lives of six to seven characters and their lives leading into the second great war. He starts the book in 1938/39 and is accurate in the militaries of the time equipment, vehicles, and uniforms. If you are looking for something light, detailed, and an overall fun alternate history read, I highly recommend this book.
What do You think about Hitler's War (2009)?
Pretty good war fiction book, on to the next in the three book series.
—Michael
good concept...will read the next one to see where it goes
—cramer
Ground level view of a different WW2. First of a series.
—Chris
