Book Review - Never On These Shores by Stephen R. Pastore
Category Book Review Stephen R. Pastore Never On These Shores
I seem to be on a bit of an "alternative history" kick right now. I find it fascinating to see how things might have played out if a rather insignificant event turned out differently. In Never On These Shores by Stephen R. Pastore, you're given a look at what might have been if Hitler had taken Britain and signed a peace treaty with Stalin...
World War 2 turns out completely different. Hitler is able to keep Russia in check with a peace treaty, allowing him to concentrate fully on his next goal... invading the United States. But Germany isn't the only group with that goal. The Japanese have laid waste to the west coast, from Seattle through Portland, all the way down to San Francisco. Their goal is to take over Los Angeles, and their level of brutality towards their captives brings to mind the Nanking atrocities. The Italians have landed in Cuba and are using that as a base to invade Florida on their way up the east coast. Germany befriends the Mexican government and gets support to invade through Texas. So where is the bulk of the American military? They're all stranded in Northern Europe. Not only has their ally been defeated (Britain), but the Atlantic is controlled by Germany and can't be traversed safely. That leaves the defense of the United States in the hands of women, children, the elderly, and gay men. Obviously before the days of "don't ask, don't tell"... Completely outmanned and with little training, those who are left at home must figure out a way to fight back...
Pastore doesn't spend a lot of time building up the story. He starts hot and fast with the mayor of San Francisco losing his head (literally!) when he attempts to surrender the city to the Japanese. He then takes a few characters throughout the country and follows their stories as they try and survive the invasions. Pastore also does not pull any punches when it comes to being politically correct in his writing. Racial slurs pepper the conversations, which would be accurate based on the times. Neighbors and fellow citizens do strange things when faced with life and death situations. For instance, the KKK attempts to join up with the Nazis in Texas as they both have similar goals of racial purity. But when given a bit of power, you see a truly ugly side of human nature emerge. It's not hard to imagine the story-lines coming to pass if something like this were to actually happen.
Also, as an FYI, keep in mind this is the first novel of a series. I kept getting closer to the end wondering how he was going to wrap everything up. But on the last page you see the "Coming Soon" title of the next book. I'll be there to read it, no question. I will warn readers who are easily offended with graphic violence and language that they might want to steer clear of Never On These Shores. There's plenty of both. But if you want to read something that will make you think and imagine life in an alternative history, you'll love this one.
I seem to be on a bit of an "alternative history" kick right now. I find it fascinating to see how things might have played out if a rather insignificant event turned out differently. In Never On These Shores by Stephen R. Pastore, you're given a look at what might have been if Hitler had taken Britain and signed a peace treaty with Stalin...
World War 2 turns out completely different. Hitler is able to keep Russia in check with a peace treaty, allowing him to concentrate fully on his next goal... invading the United States. But Germany isn't the only group with that goal. The Japanese have laid waste to the west coast, from Seattle through Portland, all the way down to San Francisco. Their goal is to take over Los Angeles, and their level of brutality towards their captives brings to mind the Nanking atrocities. The Italians have landed in Cuba and are using that as a base to invade Florida on their way up the east coast. Germany befriends the Mexican government and gets support to invade through Texas. So where is the bulk of the American military? They're all stranded in Northern Europe. Not only has their ally been defeated (Britain), but the Atlantic is controlled by Germany and can't be traversed safely. That leaves the defense of the United States in the hands of women, children, the elderly, and gay men. Obviously before the days of "don't ask, don't tell"... Completely outmanned and with little training, those who are left at home must figure out a way to fight back...
Pastore doesn't spend a lot of time building up the story. He starts hot and fast with the mayor of San Francisco losing his head (literally!) when he attempts to surrender the city to the Japanese. He then takes a few characters throughout the country and follows their stories as they try and survive the invasions. Pastore also does not pull any punches when it comes to being politically correct in his writing. Racial slurs pepper the conversations, which would be accurate based on the times. Neighbors and fellow citizens do strange things when faced with life and death situations. For instance, the KKK attempts to join up with the Nazis in Texas as they both have similar goals of racial purity. But when given a bit of power, you see a truly ugly side of human nature emerge. It's not hard to imagine the story-lines coming to pass if something like this were to actually happen.
Also, as an FYI, keep in mind this is the first novel of a series. I kept getting closer to the end wondering how he was going to wrap everything up. But on the last page you see the "Coming Soon" title of the next book. I'll be there to read it, no question. I will warn readers who are easily offended with graphic violence and language that they might want to steer clear of Never On These Shores. There's plenty of both. But if you want to read something that will make you think and imagine life in an alternative history, you'll love this one.
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