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1945: A Novel | 
 enlarge | Author: Robert Conroy
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy Used: $4.76
You Save: $10.19 (68%)
New (29) Used (18) from $4.76
Rating:  20 reviews
Sales Rank: 36415
Media: Paperback
Pages: 448
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 4.7 x 1.1
ISBN: 0345494792
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780345494795
ASIN: 0345494792
Publication Date: May 29, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
America has dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
But Japan has only begun to fight. . . .
In 1945, history has reached a turning point. A terrible new weapon has been unleashed. Japan has no choice but to surrender. But instead, the unthinkable occurs. With their nation burned and shattered, Japanese fanatics set in motion a horrifying endgame–their aim: to take America down with them.
In Robert Conroy’s brilliantly imagined epic tale of World War II, Emperor Hirohito’s capitulation is hijacked by extremists and a weary United States is forced to invade Japan as a last step in a war that has already cost so many lives. As the Japanese lash out with tactics that no one has ever faced before–from POWs used as human shields to a rain of kamikaze attacks that take out the highest-value target in the Pacific command–the invasion’s success is suddenly in doubt. As America’s streets erupt in rioting, history will turn on the acts of a few key players from the fiery front lines to the halls of Washington to the shadowy realm of espionage, while a mortally wounded enemy becomes the greatest danger of all.
Praise for Robert Conroy’s 1901
“Likely to please both military history and alternative history buffs . . . The writing . . . keeps us turning the pages.”
–Booklist
“Fascinating . . . skillfully crafted.”
–Oakland Press
“Packed with action.”
–Detroit News
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| Customer Reviews: Read 15 more reviews...
Alternate history at its best. June 29, 2007
Dr. Fred R. Eichelman (Salem,, VA USA)
57 out of 62 found this review helpful
As a retired history teacher I love alternate histories. That is when the author shows scholarship and an understanding of his subject. This is more than just a "what if" story about the Japanese not surrendering after the dropping of the first two atomic bombs. It is an analysis of both American and Japanese society and philosphy and so much better than other authors have done in the past. Newt Gincgrich's understanding of the Japanese in his recent book on Pearl Harbor was well done, but not as good as Robert Conroy's 1945: A Novel. Harry Turtledove, the master of such tales was awful in his portrayal of Japanese in his own version of Pearl Harbor. This is not my opinion alone. I have had Japanese friends read those very same books and one is a recent immigrant from Japan. In 1945 the author looks at an attempt to subjugate the emperor who is about to agree to surrender. The revolt was attempted and failed in real time, but in this book it succeeds. That means a bloody invasion by American forces is required, one that divides the nation much as Iraq divides many Americans today. We actually had such plans in place had the Japanese not surrendered. The major players are well portrayed and there are fictional ones that make the reading especially enjoyable. My personal favorite is a Japanese American who works as a lone wolf for the OSS. His story alone would make a fantastic movie.
I am concerned about only one thing. A reviewer before me wrote what seemed like a standard review. I seldom read what others have said before I review a book as afterall, our views are personal. I only read that review because there were over fifty comments about the reviewer, not the book, and there was an attack on the honesty of the reviewer. I trust that any comments made here will be based upon the merits of the book and the reader may of course agree or disagree with me. There's one area I confess that I don't know enough about. That is in regard to weaponry so I cannot evaluate the accuracy used by Robert Conroy in those descriptions. I just know when I enjoy a good story and I do write book reviews for a local newspaper. I know how to give my personal opinion without trying to force others to agree with me. I am no better and no worse than any other book lover. I can only bring my own past experiences and studies to the fore when reading and reviewing a book.
The Best of the Bunch July 2, 2007
M. Bogren (Michigan)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
"1945" is the best of the recent spate of alternate history novels on the market. I personally think that it's great to see this genre gaining ground and look forward to even more in the future.
It is interesting to compare "1945" with "MacArthur's War." "1945" is far more entertaining and readable. This is not great literature, but it is great storytelling. The major characters have some shortcomings; some are very well-done and multi-dimensional (Truman and Hirohito for example), while others lack depth and a sense of realism (Patton and MacArthur). The real strength in Conroy's novel are the "grunts" who have to carry out the war in Japan and the war at home. This book is the classic example of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. If you analyzed this book in pieces (plot, character, dialogue, plausibility, etc) I doubt that any one part would garner five stars. Put it all together, though, and it works wonderfully.
I have not previously read Conroy's other works, but based on "1945," I will. I highly recommend this book.
well written alternate military history June 1, 2007
Harriet Klausner
10 out of 16 found this review helpful
Hoping to end the war with weapons of mass destruction, the United States drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, no surrender remains the motto of the military fanatics who strictly adhere to the code of Bushido. Knowing Emperor Hirohito is going to traitorously announce his country's surrender in a few hours, this extremist military cabal kidnaps him.
Instead samurai General Korechika Anami takes over as leader of the bombed out country. Tired of war but seeing no end in sight and realizing the number of dead could reach seven digits, a reluctant President Truman authorizes General Douglas MacArthur to invade Japan. However, instead of a quick end the war continues with kamikaze attacks on the occupying force and human shields to raise the cost of counter attacks. As the war drags on and a successful kamikaze raid causes symbolic euphoria in Japan and nightmarish doubts in America, the anticipated V-J day celebration appears increasingly more like a Japanese celebration.
The key to Robert Conroy's powerful latest alternate history (see 1901and 1862; neither read by this reviewer), is the varying points of view that bring vividly to life that war is hell. The concept of Japan continuing the war on its own soil holds up as the American public loses confidence with increasing reports of casualties. Fans fascinated by plausible well written alternate military history will enjoy 1945.
Harriet Klausner
The bombs have been dropped... July 19, 2007
Michael Valdivielso (Alexandria, VA USA)
9 out of 11 found this review helpful
But Japan refuses to give up. The fanatics have taken over, bullying the military into going for one last great try. As the Americans prepare for an invasion that the Japanese know is coming, they also prepare for defending their homeland. The scary part is how realistic and gritty the alternate events are. Could it have gone this way? Maybe. Japan had the resources and men left to make a last stand. From Washington to Tokyo, from the blood soaked beaches to the thick jungles, we'll follow not just the combat action but the brilliant acts of the key characters as each side fights for victory.
 Historical fiction that will make shiver at the thought July 24, 2007
armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
On August 8, 1945, Emperor Hirohito, the divine earthly presence of Imperial Japan, issued a recorded statement instructing Imperial Japanese Armed Forces to lay down their arms in formal surrender to Allied Forces in the Pacific Theater of Operations-thus bringing to an end the final conflicts of World War Two.
In Robert Conroy's latest novel 1945, the attempted coup to prevent this broadcast is in fact successful. Japanese do not surrender. Instead, coup planners kidnap Hirohito and replace him with a military government that vows to fight to the death for an honorable peace with the Allies.
Japan, having floated the possibility of peace, takes advantage of the lull in fighting, watching American veterans rotate home and US Military operations wind down. The result is worldwide chaos. European economies are bankrupt, world society is war weary, and America is at the end of its tether. Another year of war could conceivably cause enough irreparable damage so that the world will be ripe for the Soviet Union to coerce tired countries into is sphere of influence, with little military or economic pressure.
The world is destined for another six months of war in which a shattered Japan will pull out all the stops to defend the homeland. A brutal confrontation ensues. America uses overwhelming firepower against the withered Japanese army's banzai charges in their last-ditch efforts to make us pay so dearly for victory that America sues for peace!
1945 uses all of the war's pivotal America figures. Harry Truman, George Marshall, Douglas Macarthur and Chester Nimitz all play starring roles in this fictionalized account. Conroy has also expertly added fictional personalities to bring you right down to the trench-level brutality of what may have happened in these additional six months.
In 1945, Conroy has crafted yet another masterpiece of military fiction that will enthrall lovers of this genre, proving yet again that there is one more book on WWII worth the price or purchase.
Armchair Interviews says: A spectacular "what if" scenario. Conroy is proven the master of extending history to a chilling degree.
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