If the Allies Had Fallen: Sixty Alternate Scenarios of World War II (book review)

If the Allies had Fallen: Sixty Alternative Scenarios of World War II, ed. Dennis E. Showalter & Harold C. Deutsch

Scores of WWII alternate history scenarios - from the war breaking out in 1938, through the controversies of Pearl Harbor and the Eastern Front, to the last days of the war - are explored in this mixed collection of scholarly essays.

 

Hello Nigel,

Thanks for posting this. I just ordered this book along with Seelowe Nord: The Germans are Coming Amazon.com: Seelowe Nord: The Germans are Coming (9781907294389): Andy Johnson: Books. Hopefully, they'll both be fascinating reads.

 

You're welcome - when you get the chance would be great if you can post your own review - too many of these are journalists who have little interest in the subject even if they have read it, which mean 'better written' trumps 'better information' in almost every review. Hope they are good reads though

very jealous - both sound great - too skint here myself at moment to get much paper reading in.

 

Hi Nigel,

I would be more than happy to share my thoughts after reading them. I agree completely about your assessment of "professional" reviewers. It's unfortunate that many people make their decisions based on these reviews. Many a "good" book has been overlooked as a result.

 

Hi Melissa

I have one particular 'favourite' that is the driest read ever about German soft skinned half tracks (it certainly would get a bronze in that contest at least). It is an absolutely brilliant book about the subject, but it will never get a good review from someone who doesn't understand their impact on WW2 because it is a book to fall asleep to unless you are looking for specific info. Even if you are into the subject (which I'm actually not so much) it would never get a good review.

Thinking of that I should perhaps post a review here - I think it's out of print but it still should be known about

thanks for reminding me - I'll get a review in for it later this year

 

Excellent case in point, Nigel. Good lit reviews are always interesting and useful, and they sometimes open up new areas of interest for a few folks. Although I haven't a clue about soft skinned half tracks, I would certainly encourage you to write your review!

 

We should start a movement to get everyone here on the site to review every relevant book on their shelves?

probably been tried but maybe needs a bump.

Local reviews have to better that townie journo ones

 

I agree! Wow, that would be a massive undertaking, but would serve as excellent resources!

 

although the facility here on the forum exists to post reviews what I think it maybe needs is a 'form' review to fill in for those who aren't prolific writers - so they can still share their views on a book without too much effort - even if only a basic summary, if it has more than the publishers blurb then it is probably useful. If you fancy getting into organising it please go ahead - I'll help if I can but have to step out at the moment - bit busy for a couple of months.