"Excellent alternate history"

The Japanese plan to bomb Pearl Harbor when Commander Genda persuades Admiral Yamamoto to also occupy Hawaii. That would enable the Japanese to extend their territorial base and make for ease to bomb the American far west and cut the enemy off from allies like Australia and New Zealand. His superiors approve the daring plan.

Whites control Hawaii with Japanese treated as third class citizens. When the attack occurs, the Americans are taken by surprise and react in a disorganized manner, even the soldiers. Their weaponry is destroyed. The bombardment is followed up with precise military action and the Japanese Army force the Americans to surrender. POWs are treated with contempt and abuse while those Japanese who have lived on Hawaii for years collaborate with their conquering brethren. The local Americans on bended knees to the invaders look to the forty-eight states hoping they will make a move to liberate them.

Harry Turtledove, the grandmaster of alternate history, has written an exciting military thriller that answers the what if question of what would happen if Japan invaded and occupied Hawaii not just bombing Pearl Harbor? Most readers will believe after an early bout of skepticism that the events in DAY OF INFAMY could have happened. Most interesting is the outlook of Japanese living in Hawaii as the parent generation believes they are Japanese while their children feel American. This is another triumph from Mr. Turtledove.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted November 15, 2004