1945 (Conroy novel)

Not to be confused with 1942 (novel) or Red Inferno: 1945, also written by Robert Conroy.
1945

Cover of the book 1945 by Robert Conroy
Author Robert Conroy
Country United States
Language English
Genre alternate history
Publisher Ballantine Books
Publication date
May 29, 2007
Media type trade paperback
Pages 432
ISBN 978-0-345-49479-5
OCLC 74916045
813/.54 22
LC Class PS3553.O51986 A617 2007

1945 is a novel written in 2007 by Robert Conroy, the author of other alternate history novels, such as 1901 and 1862.

Plot summary

1945 depicts what could have happened if Japan's surrender in World War II had been successfully preempted by extremists, forcing U.S. President Harry S. Truman to order more atomic bombings and an invasion of the Japanese home islands, continuing the Pacific Campaign into early 1946. Features that are prominent throughout the book include the viewpoints of infighting among the Japanese officers responsible for the military coup of the Japanese government, the imprisonment and breakout of Hirohito, the vicious combat between Japanese and American units on Kyushu and their respective naval forces in the Pacific, the efforts behind enemy lines by intelligence officers and POWs, the death of Douglas MacArthur, the Soviet Union's extended involvement in Japan, and the mass protests in the US to end the war.

Literary significance and reception

Booklist said that 1945 was "realistic to the point of gruesomeness, 1945 recalls David Westheimer’s classic Lighter than a Feather."[1] Publishers Weekly said that Conroy explored the carnage of war through various viewpoints with "moving and thought provoking results".[2]

References

  1. Green, Roland (May 1, 2007). "1945". Booklist 103 (17): p. 69. ISSN 0006-7385.
  2. "1945". Publishers Weekly 254 (16): p. 31–32. April 16, 2007. ISSN 0000-0019.