Rising Sun

This novel is one of the better "alternate history" novels available. The characterizations in this novel are excellent, and the plot is easy to follow and interesting. The author skillfully interweaves his protagonists with actual historical figures such as Admirals Nimitz and Spruance, and General DeWitt. The characterizations are what make this a five-star novel. In fact I did not find the actual historic prognostications in this novel to be persuasive. Even if the Japanese had defeated the US Navy at the Battle of Midway (which could very easily have happened) I do not believe that the United States would have ever, under any circumstances, abandoned Hawaii. Nor do I believe that public opinion would have allowed America to abandon Hawaii while simultaneously making its main combat commitment to the North Africa campaign. In the real history the latter was able to occur precisely because the United States gained and kept the initiative in the Pacific after the Coral Sea battle and New Guinea campaign despite these being somewhat "secondary" in what was at least an official "Germany First" policy. But reasonable minds can differ and that is just my opinion. Obviously the author did not agree.Despite my disagreements with the author about the actual course of events in a scenario involving an American debacle at Midway, the author does a good job keeping in mind Japan's inherent weaknesses vis'a'vis the United States. The conclusion hangs together and makes sense.Overall this is a highly readable and enjoyable novel that aficionados of alternate history will not want to miss.

"Rising Sun" tackles a WWII alternative history, or rather, a slice of that history. The premise is Japanese success at Midway rather than crushing defeat. Because of American code-breakers, the only way that could have happened would have been a sub in the right place at the right time; this is plausible and provides Mr. Conroy all he needed.This period is dangerous for a writer because most readers are already quite familiar with the basic facts, and parents and, even more so movies, have given Boomers like me ample feel for the look and speech of that period. I was happy with Mr. Conroy's handling of the atmospherics.Mr. Conroy usually keeps the number of characters at a manageable level. There are a half dozen major characters in "Rising Sun" and about the same number of minor ones.He is also careful to keep his military campaigns plausible. What realistic options would Adm. Yamamoto have had to accomplish his war aims, which even after a success at Midway remained to bring the Americans to accept a peace allowing Japan to keep most of its wartime gains and prosecute its war in China undisturbed. US industrial might would not have been affected by Midway. Mr. Conroy does not examine the interesting question of what might have constituted a tipping point in the US willingness to pursue its "Germany first" deal with the UK. Instead, there is a minor campaign against Alaska and bombardments of West Coast cities. These are very well described but are not convincing as strategies to force the US to the table.There are some other events that are less well done and the epilogue, which focused on two minor characters, was a complete misfire IMHO. Nevertheless, this is a good read and I recommend it for fans of alternative history fiction.

This novels starts with the premise that the Battle of Midway in June 1942 goes the opposite way with the Imperial Japanese Navy sinking all three American aircraft carriers instead of the USN sing all four Japanese carriers. This is an entirely plausible shift as a great deal of luck allowed the American victory historically.From this point of divergence both the USA and Imperial Japan react in ways that are very realistic for those circumstances and the remainder of the year is a tough slog for America to get back on her feet after six months of defeats in the Pacific. Well researched and excellently written.

I have had the pleasure of reading all of Conroy's alternate history novels. They have been thought provoking and entertaining. RISING SUN is no exception to this. The novel diverges from actual history by postulating a Japanese victory at Midway, which was very possible. All but one US carrier is sunk and the Fleet is forced to abandon Pearl Harbor. The Japanese do not invade Hawaii, rather bombarding and blockading the place at first, though later they do take a base on the big island.Conroy presents a story where at first the US places large amounts of troops on the West Coast. The Imperial Fleet does bombard but they do not attempt to invade. This is a very likely scenario. They also take a base on mainland Alaska, again plausible. The characters were all believable and the main ones were well developed.What did give me some pause and stretched my believability in this alternate world was how and where the concluding decisive battle does occur. The way it was presented seemed a giant stretch given the socioeconomic and political realities of that era. I just don't see how they could have obtained the consent of the Mexican government to pull off the plan and how they could have kept the Japanese from realizing it was a hoax long before Yamamoto would have committed the fleet.Overall it was a very good story, another fine effort from this author. I recommend it to any fan of World War 2 alternative history.

This book, from a series by Robert Conroy incorporates historical facts to illustrate the possible alternate outcomes of significant events of World War II. It is a compelling read with great characters, great action and a very plausible scenario that keeps the reader captivated till the very end. I highly recommend the entire series by this author.

Great imagination and logically thought out. Characters believable and story fascinating. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in alternate historical fiction.

Robert Conroy has come up with a enjoyable and well reasoned alternate history of the war in the Pacific. As with many of the great moments in history a relatively small change at a nexus point can produce a sweeping change to history. Conroy has chosen a change of course for the US Navy fleet heading to the battle of Midway in 1942. The result for the USN, disaster.The story of how the disaster develops in both the small and large scale is enthralling with characters reacting to circumstances that to the reader are very new. Alas Mr Conroy does at times fail to do his research properly as he has the battleships HMS Prince of Wales and Renown sunk by the Japanese weeks before the war started. He does however (sometimes) acknowledge that the USA did have allies and indeed at one point admits that the US forces in Europe and North Africa are ASSISTING Britain and the other allied nations. A rare admission for an American author.Anyway putting aside the jingoism this is a good and very readable book.

Another cracking What if from Conroy, all the characters are believable and the action sequences are clear and keep you wanting to read, the only problem is you just cant put the book down, a fascinating period of time where anything could have happened and we all know how the real event unfolded, but to see it from a completely perspective opens your eyes to precarious world freedom was at that time, all the more reason to admire and respect the sacrifices that were made by that generation.

Having, sadly written a poor review of Harry Turtledove's War That Came Early series it is a pleasure to write a review on a writer who can make counter factional history come to life. The characters are believable. the plot moves along at a cracking pace and you get a good sense of the world picture and how it affects the action. If you like this genre or even good action novels then this is well worth a read.

A fast-moving adventure in a parallel world where WW2 takes a different path. Great for reading while travelling or if visiting Japan.