Interesting concept that's relatively believable and decently well executed. I just couldn't get into the stories/ 1 dimensional characters. ( )

Interesting concept that's relatively believable and decently well executed. I just couldn't get into the stories/ 1 dimensional characters. ( )

Interesting premise.. Having Germany invade from mexico...
( )

Strong entry into the alternate reality genre. Wars always seem to turn on the smallest of things -- a found note, a lost courier, a confused sentry, not making the push at the right time.... The character of the Germans would not have changed, though. ( )

I'll admit that I have a little bit of a chip on my shoulder these days regarding the "Plucky American" trope (too many stupid proclamations about American Exceptionalism will do that for a person), and I do sense some missed opportunities here in this first of Conroy's novels that I've tried. That said, I find it much easier to gloss over any issues I might point to with this book by regarding it as a sort of diesel-punk adventure and just let things slide while seeing how the author ties all his plot threads up with the climactic battle; that's where the joy is in this sort of thing.

Apart from that I do respect Conroy for not kidding himself that he had more than a novel's worth of ideas and stretching things out interminably. On the other hand, he has created a jumping off point to an alternate Twentieth Century that I wouldn't mind seeing further developed. ( )