'Hitler's War' by Harry Turtledove - Book Review

Hitler’s War by Harry Turtledove joins the crowded field of "what if" tales about World War II. It has two early breakpoints, one that alters the Spanish Civil War and one that involves British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, standing up to Hitler over the annexation of Czechoslovakia. Harry Turtledove is the master of alternative history, and Hitler's War is at times enjoyable, but it is clearly not Turtledove’s best work. Several of the events are not credible, and given the existing depth of alternative history works on World War II, Hitler’s War adds little.

Note: This review contains some spoilers.

In alternative history it is expected that some credible break in the historical timeline is observed and then potential results are explored in an entertaining fashion. Hitler’s War falls down in both areas -- believability and entertainment. Two historical breaks happen in the novel, one involves the leadership of the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War. In the other case Neville Chamberlain refuses to cede Czechoslovakia to Hitler.

The Spanish break, while believable, is not particularly interesting and sets up a side plot that is not highly relevant to, or well integrated into, the overall story. The Chamberlain break is the primary change and sets up an entertaining story, but is hard to swallow. The assassination of a German Czech leader gives Hitler the pretext to be more assertive over claims to Czechoslovakia in 1938 and the Prime Minister refuses all of Hitler’s requests. Why, though, would the spineless Chamberlain knowingly bring his country to war over Czechoslovakia in the novel, while in real life he knowingly chose to hand the Czechs over to Hitler?

The rest of the book’s major events are also dubious. Why would the Soviet Union defend Czechoslovakia against Hitler rather than carve up Europe with Germany as it did in actual history? Why did Poland trust Hitler and turn to it for aid? After defeating Czechoslovakia in late 1938, why did Germany immediately turn against France with no preparation and in the winter? In real life Poland was defeated in September-October 1939 and Hitler did not turn his attention to France until May 1940. Why did such a large resistance movement develop in Germany and lead to purges of near Soviet proportions?

Hitler’s War is fun at times, but it’s not original, not credible, and not Turtledove’s best work.