1945: A Novel [Paperback]

Robert Conroy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 29, 2007

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

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At the start of Conroy's compelling third alternate history (after 1901 and 1862), military extremists, honor bound by the Japanese code of Bushido, kidnap Emperor Hirohito hours before he's set to announce his country's formal surrender in the aftermath of the atom bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Led by aging samurai and fanatical army general Korechika Anami, the new regime manipulates President Truman into invading the Japanese home islands. The massive offensive (with ground forces led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur) meets stiff resistance, including kamikaze attacks and the use of POWs as human shields. But as the U.S. finds itself slowly sinking into a nightmarish military quagmire, two improbable heroes chart a path to victory. Conroy explores the carnage of war through numerous viewpoints (a naïve American soldier, an escaped POW, a Japanese-American operative, the deposed emperor, etc.) with moving and thought-provoking results. For another take on the same scenario, see Douglas Niles and Michael Dobson's MacArthur's War: A Novel of the Invasion of Japan (Reviews, Mar. 26). (May 29)
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From Booklist

Conroy has Japan's surrender after the A-bombs short-circuited by extremists. That leads to a typhoon-battered U.S. invasion that encounters last-ditch Japanese resistance. There are a third of a million American casualties, and two more A-bombs are dropped on Japan. Realistic to the point of gruesomeness, 1945recalls David Westheimer's classic Lighter Than a Feather(1971). Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (May 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345494792
• ISBN-13: 978-0345494795
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.9 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #343,654 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Why alternate history? Because it's fun. I've always loved history and devoured both histories and historical fiction to the point that I started looking at facts and wondering what would have happened had they turned out differently. 1901 was my first endeavor and it was followed in turn by 1862, 1945, 1942, and next year, Red Inferno: 1945. And yes, Random House does want a year in the title.

In order for an alternate history to work, the historical change has to be plausible (no magic or time travel), have significant impact, and be dramatic, which, in my case, means alternate endings to wars. All writers of fiction are endowed with God-like powers and even more so with alternate history. If I don't like a historical character, he's gone. Check MacArthur in 1945.

I did not start writing until I retired, another reason why my late blooming success is such a great thrill. I have a GI-Bill MBA, teach finance at a local community college, am married, and live in southeastern Michigan.

Robert Conroy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

102 of 108 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alternate history at its best., June 29, 2007

By 

Dr. Fred R. Eichelman "arous" (Salem,, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 1945: A Novel (Paperback)

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.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of the Bunch, July 2, 2007

By 

M. Bogren (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 1945: A Novel (Paperback)

"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.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The bombs have been dropped..., July 19, 2007

By 

Michael Valdivielso (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: 1945: A Novel (Paperback)

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.