In his fourth alternate history, Tsouras (Disaster at D-Day, etc.), a senior analyst of the U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center, brings together a number of experts in the Pacific war to show how, with only some minor adjustments to actual events, the Japanese could have either won the war in the Pacific or else so stymied the Allies that Japan would have been able to keep some of its early conquests. The 10 chapters by 10 authors cover the gamut from an early conflict between Japan and the Soviet Union to the invasion of Japan. When American planes low on fuel had a choice while searching for the Japanese carriers at Midway, what if their commander had decided to fly to Midway to refuel rather than continue toward the last reported position of the enemy? (All three American carriers might have been sunk and the Japanese would have gone on to neutralize Hawaii and move in on the U.S. West Coast from there.) Other scenarios include a Japanese invasion of Australia (which is eventually defeated), a thrust into British India, an American evacuation of Guadalcanal, a disaster at Leyte Gulf and heavy losses during the invasion of Japan. Complementing 24 illustrations (not seen by PW) and 15 maps scattered throughout, brief summaries at the end of each chapter inform readers of what actually happened—most will be relieved. (June)
Forecast:In addition to this Military History Book Club Main Selection, which should reach its niche nicely, British publisher Greenhill has undertaken a series of books called
G.I.: The Illustrated History of the American Soldier, His Uniform and His Equipment. The series has the largest set of WWII-era photos of U.S. soldiers ever published, now encompassing 24 books and more than 2,500 images, some in color.
