1945: A Novel (Paperback)

by Robert Conroy (Author)
Key Phrases: kempei officer, human torpedoes, United States, Joe Nomura, General Anami (more...)

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

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Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (May 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345494792
• ISBN-13: 978-0345494795
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #40,012 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 75 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)

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.

13 of 13 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)

"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.

10 of 11 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 500 REVIEWER)

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.