Moscow Option: An Alternative Second World War [Paperback]

David Downing (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 19, 2006

This provocative alternate history looks at World War II from a new angle - what might have happened had the Germans taken Moscow in 1941. Based on authentic history and real possibilities, this book plays out the dramatic consequences of opportunities taken and examines the grotesque possibilities of a Third Reich triumphant. On September 30th, 1941, the Germans fight their way into the ruins of Moscow, and the Soviet Union collapses. Although Russian resistance continues, German ambition multiplies after this signal victory and offensives are launched in Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Hitler's armies, assured of success, make their leader's dreams reality, and Allied hopes of victory seem to be hopelessly doomed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A very good read . . . I won’t spoil the book by giving the end away
. . . A page-turner to the end." – Military Illustrated

"Well reasoned and written." – Paper Wars (USA)

Publishing News: Recommended Title, September 2005
"In this addition to the popular ‘what if’ genre of history, Downing explores what might have happened if the Germans had taken Moscow during the Second World War."

"A most readable and clever tale, full of striking inventions."
- Sir Kingsley Amis

About the Author

David Downings writing is fluid and eminently believable, as he blends actual events with the intriguing possibilities of alternate history. The Moscow Option is a chilling reminder that the course of World War II might easily have run very differently.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Greenhill Books (February 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853676748
• ISBN-13: 978-1853676741
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #294,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Great Alternative History Novels, November 3, 2001

By 

The Minister of Martinis (Olive Grove) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Moscow Option (Hardcover)

I found "The Moscow Option" in a used bookstore back in the late 1980s. David Downing's book is a deft blending of military insight and pop culture, entirely plausible and just plain fun. Seemingly forgotten, I'm glad to see it republished in a time where alternative history is much more popular.

By tinkering with two small "what-ifs," Downing examines what might have happened if the Germans had taken Moscow and Egypt and the Japanese had won the Battle of Midway. It is the aftermath of these successes that makes this book so memorable, with a timeline so believeable that one might almost think they've stumbled onto a real history book from a parallel universe. The book's main lesson is that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

One great touch is Downing's use of quotes by people like Dorothy Parker, Groucho Marx and Neil Young to open each chapter. Besides being a military historian (The Devil's Virtuosos: German Generals at War, 1940-5) Downing is also a respected rock writer, penning a recent biography of Young.

A great book, and a delight to read; a work many current alternative history writers would do well to emulate.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent alternate history of World War Two, June 17, 2002

By 

M. A Michaud "michael_michaud" (Dulles, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Moscow Option (Hardcover)

In this well-written book, Downing describes how World War Two might have gone if only a few events had been different. What if Adolf Hitler had been incapacitated when his aircraft crash-landed in 1941? German generals might have pursued their preferred option on the Eastern Front, concentrating their advance on the capture of Moscow. Downing goes on from there, describing alternate outcomes in other theaters. What if Rommel had received the reinforcements he needed to defeat the British in the Egyptian desert? What if the Japanese had won the battle of Midway? These scenarios are well thought out and generally convincing. Downing concludes that the Germans and the Japanese eventually would have been overcome by superior allied resources. But the world might look different today because of early Axis power successes. This book, originally published in 1979, includes a few diagrams of battles and a disappointing dot and line map of the Pacific.

38 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just two small changes. (Watch out for spoilers), November 4, 2001

By 

Colin F Francis (Australia the Golden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Moscow Option (Hardcover)

The first change is the crash of an aircraft carrying Hitler back to Rastenburg in August 1941 after visiting his generals on the East Front. In reality, Hitler forced the Army to drive South to encircle the Soviet armies around Kiev after a long halt at Smolensk.

In this AH, the plane crash leaves Hitler in a coma and the Generals decide to go straight for Moscow. This is successful and Moscow falls well before Winter. The Soviets do however, fall back in good order and establish a new government at Kubyshev on the Volga.

The book then covers the 1942 Summer offensive "Case Blue" in our timeline which is aimed like ours at the South East rather than due East. This is co-ordinated by a Mediterranean strategy and a proposed link up between the DAK and the Eastern armies in Syria. All this in very convincing, well researched detail.

The other change is an American defeat at Midway, and the IJN actually seizing Hawaii and raiding the West coast and Panama. The Japanese make the mistake of making the main thrust against India and Ceylon.

The book ends in 1942, with the Allies having just contained the German co-ordinated offensives and planning the reconquest of Egypt. In Russia, 1943 looks bad for the Germans, bogged down in partisan warfare. The IJN is caught off Panama and loses it's carriers a la Midway.

There are references to nuclear attacks on Germany in 1946 and a civil war between the Army and SS, but the meat of the book covers only the period August 1941 to August 1942 or so.

It is truly excellent, and reads very much like a military history, complete with maps etc. This review is based on my old copy which is maybe 15 years old now. Highly recommended, and I have written this review totally on my recollections since I last reread the book.