The question has been raised many time, could the Japanese have captured and actually held Hawaii? The question is asked and resolved in Harry Turtledove's novel End of the Beginning, which is the sequel to last year's Days of Infamy.
These two books are highly recommended to anyone who has any interest in the subject. It is an interesting look at what might have happened had the Japanese sneak attack followed through with a landing of troops. The premise is that Yamamoto is convinced by a Japanese Army officer that troops should land on Hawaii, with the islands being a shield to hold off the Americans.
The two book follow several characters from both sides including the Japanese commanders, a couple of pilots and of course several soldiers; as well as a couple of American civilians, a green volunteer pilot (as he goes through flight training), and of course a hard charging marine.
The most difficult stories to follow are those of the America soldiers who surrender to the Japanese. This is not because the story isn't good or even confusing, it is just what they face during their imprisonment. This isn't an action book with tales of escape plans, prison uprisings or anything like that...just a realistic look at how difficult it would have been for both sides to capture and hold the islands.
As with most Turtledove novels there are some interesting little jabs at history that evoke the real timeline. The attention to detail, like his other novels, is fascinating. The only complaint is that for a two-book series (as opposed to his more epic multi-volume series) there are almost an overwhelming amount of characters. But in fairness this provides a solid picture of the happenings in Hawaii and beyond. A fantastic read from start to finish.
These two books are highly recommended to anyone who has any interest in the subject. It is an interesting look at what might have happened had the Japanese sneak attack followed through with a landing of troops. The premise is that Yamamoto is convinced by a Japanese Army officer that troops should land on Hawaii, with the islands being a shield to hold off the Americans.
The two book follow several characters from both sides including the Japanese commanders, a couple of pilots and of course several soldiers; as well as a couple of American civilians, a green volunteer pilot (as he goes through flight training), and of course a hard charging marine.
The most difficult stories to follow are those of the America soldiers who surrender to the Japanese. This is not because the story isn't good or even confusing, it is just what they face during their imprisonment. This isn't an action book with tales of escape plans, prison uprisings or anything like that...just a realistic look at how difficult it would have been for both sides to capture and hold the islands.
As with most Turtledove novels there are some interesting little jabs at history that evoke the real timeline. The attention to detail, like his other novels, is fascinating. The only complaint is that for a two-book series (as opposed to his more epic multi-volume series) there are almost an overwhelming amount of characters. But in fairness this provides a solid picture of the happenings in Hawaii and beyond. A fantastic read from start to finish.
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