Bernard Neeson

This is the sequel to the author's An Invitation to Hitler, an alternate history novel with a very different take on the events of 1940. In this one, the Nazis successfully invade Britain, landing on the coasts of Kent and Sussex. Their advance is stymied, but then the brilliant general Rommel proposes a plan to capture Weymouth Harbour and Eastleigh airport. The fightback is daring and audacious, and the politicking intense, with appeasers Lord Halifax and Rab Butler accusing Churchill of treachery for letting the Nazis invade, while Churchill accuses them of the same for still wanting a negotiated peace with Hitler.

I always find alternate historical fiction a fascinating genre, as it illustrates on what narrow chances major events can turn; while the course of history often seems inevitable after the event, it is rarely so at the time. Hindsight is both a blessing and also a curse of much historical discourse. This is more of a dramatic page turner than its predecessor, which, although very good, sometimes felt almost more like a "what if" intellectual exercise than a novel. Gripping stuff.… (mehr)

" The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you can see." Winston Churchill
Might i may the suggestion that you read Invitation to Hitler by this author FIRST? Not absolutely necessary, but well worth the time, and continues the flow of steadfast intrigue from one book to the next.
Starting with 'Ethelred' - the English plan to trick the Germans, there is master manipulation and cunning plans on both sides. This is not a book where you will whip thru the pages but instead will turn each one filled with an oh lordy interest !… (mehr)

Timing is everything as 'they' say, or, perhaps 'everything happens for a reason' fits even better. Prior to receiving this book, or even knowing of its existence, I watched a documentary on tv called Underground London. Filming included photos of Churchills well-hidden, well-protected war room. The room where his cabinet met in secret and plans were laid out. In fact....the rooms were left with maps and papers as if the members would be back momentarily!
Along came this book and i do not want to overuse an overused word but it truly was fascinating. In it Neeson gives us the creators of Operation Ethelred, the subterfuge and finer points that were detailed behind closed doors. SO much was hidden from the public that learning more, even in novel form, was a unique pleasure.… (mehr)

This is another alternate history novel, set during the Second World War. Unlike SS-GB, this does not deal with the oppressive horror of a Britain occupied by the Nazis; rather it involves a more subtle change in history where Churchill, concerned for the future of his country in the face of the Nazi onslaught across Europe, but thinking that Britain is probably currently in the best shape it is going to be in the summer of 1940, develops a bold and highly risky plan to make Britain actually appear weaker than it is, in order to tempt the Nazis into invading prematurely, so that Britain can then trap and destroy the invading forces. It's a fascinating premise and may at first appear too foolhardy to be credible, yet Churchill did make some famously outrageously risky and potentially or actually disastrous decisions during his career. The novel is well researched and well written, though if I have a criticism, it's actually that its not really a novel as such with characters, more like an intellectual "what if?" documentary exercise, lacking any significant non-historical characters or sub-plots. In that capacity, it succeeds very well.… (mehr)