Book review - Pearl Harbor.

Pearl Harbor is another alternate history book by Newt Gringrich and William Forstchen. This time the setting is in the years and days leading up to the fateful attack on the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor in 1941. The book runs 366 pages and was published in 2008.

I have to say that after reading Josephus, this book was a very light read. In fact, I finished it off in just a little over a day. It helped that the story was gripping and well-written. Both authors know their military history and both are excellent writers.

The book is written in the style of Jeff Shaara's excellent novels, with the reader inside the heads of various men on either side of the conflict. Starting in 1934 the book follows a nice selection of characters as the tension between the United States and Japan develops. The final climatic moment is the attack on Pearl.

As is usual with Gingrich and Forstchen, only a few key decisions are changed. Moving from that the differences between actual and alternate history start small and rapidly enlarge. Events overtake those involved and the outcome hangs by a hair at times. An excellent read for the history buff, World War 2 scholar, or anyone interested in a ripping good yarn.