The Only Thing to Fear: A Novel [Hardcover]

David Poyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1995

Assigned to investigate a suspected assassination plot against FDR, a young John Fitzgerald Kennedy teams up with actress Lauren Wolfe to prevent a deadly attempt by a Russian, German, and traitor American in April 1945.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Solid research buttresses Poyer's (Winter in the Heart) latest, a consistently engrossing WWII suspense novel featuring FDR and skinny naval officer John Fitzgerald Kennedy. This is not the presidential JFK but a young war hero who suffers terrible guilt and a bad back after his torpedo boat is rammed by a Japanese destroyer; in addition, he is chronically fatigued by an undiagnosed illness. Departing from history, Poyer envisions Kennedy assigned to FDR as an aide on the president's personal staff to guard him from an assassination threat. Indeed, a Russian assassin, who has defected to the Nazis, is taken by U-boat to Chesapeake Bay with orders to kill the president. According to the scenario, the murder will implicate the Russians, split the Allies and draw America into fighting the Soviets along with the Third Reich. Poyer turns this farfetched plot into a gripping thriller with womanizing Jack Kennedy as a knockout lead. We know the president must die soon at his home in Warm Springs, Ga.-but, in Poyer's version, his death occurs in a manner different from the historical record. Poyer's narrative skills improve with each of his rousing adventures; and here well-rounded characters populate an intriguing plot that illuminates much about the war and the birth of the U.N. Author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Poyer (Gulf, LJ 8/90) delivers a fictionalized account of a Nazi plan to assassinate Franklin D. Roosevelt in spring 1945. A young Jack Kennedy has been assigned to act as FDR's aide and to flush out a possible traitor in the administration. Lauren Wolfe, a glamorous film star, visits FDR and joins forces with JFK. JFK's efforts parallel the progress of Ivan Krasov, a disenchanted Russian sent by the Nazis to assassinate FDR and make it appear as if the Soviets are responsible. With the help of an American traitor, Krasov successfully murders the president. The "powers that be," however, don't want the United States to go to war with the Soviets, so Americans are told that FDR died of natural causes. Poyer provides an entertaining slice of JFK's life during his navy days through colorful scenes. The discussions between FDR and JFK convey a bittersweet foreshadowing of history. Recommended for public libraries.
--Stacie Browne Chandler, Plymouth P.L., Mass.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 429 pages
• Publisher: Forge; 1st edition (April 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312857098
• ISBN-13: 978-0312857097
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,464,627 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars JFK in the Twilight Zone, July 22, 2008

By 

Timothy J. Mccarthy "Mongo" (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Only Thing to Fear (Paperback)

I've read several of Poyer's other books, and greatly enjoy the Tiller Galloway series, and his Dan Lenson series to a lesser extent. This book came as a total surprise; it's nothing like his other works. It's a "what if" book about John Kennedy: what if he had come home from the war, and been assigned to head off an assassination attempt on FDR's life? To a great extent, the author uses real people, places, and events, and throws in a few Nazi's and Communists to stir the pot and build suspense.

It's hard to tell Poyer is a huge JFK fan or hater, but I'm sure he spent a lot of time writing with his tongue rammed firmly into his cheek. Kennedy is roundly skewered either way, with his womanizing and loose morals getting special attention. At one point he misses a clandestine rendezvous with a newly-met nurse, and ends up having sex with an underage cripple who happened to be there instead. It's liberally sprinkled with skewed references to the future. At one point Kennedy, reflecting on his own service, prophesies that at least we've learned never to fight in the Pacific jungles again. If you're a big fan of J. Edgar Hoover, prepare to cringe, as he is not given the kid-glove treatment either!

If you can get past the bizarre premise, you're liable to enjoy this book. It's well crafted, well paced, and well written. Poyer clearly put a lot of research into Kennedy and the mid-1940s, and creates a very believable period atmosphere. His obvious enjoyment with writing the book shines through, and it's more light hearted and humourous than his usual fare. This isn't - quite - science fiction, but if you can suspend disbelief a bit as any scifi fan must, Poyer will draw you in and provide a few hours of highly enjoyable reading. Get this at the library, or used if the price is right.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, October 20, 2010

By 

RichE3 - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Only Thing to Fear (Paperback)

I loved this book from start to finish. Each character - especially the real people from American history - are very lifelike. The young JFK, the ailing FDR, the ambitious Joe Kennedy, Sr., and even the J. Edgar Hoover/Clyde Tolson relationship, provide the reader with what appears to be a glance into living history. Although I know it's a work of fiction, it gave me an appreciation for a people and era that have long since passed. I found it interesting to note the talks between FDR and JFK and how they sometimes disagreed over political/economic matters. It was even more interesting how JFK had more respect for the idealistic vision of FDR than the political aspirations set forth by his own father.
I loved the book. As far as alternative history, this is as subtle and as good as it gets; meaning the actions of a few days in eary 1945 were different but the end result was the same. Wonderful effort.