Abouts Books

By Sunil Tanna

Designated Targets is the second volume in John Birmingham's Axis of Time trilogy (the first volume being Weapons of Choice). The story is picked up four months after the end of the previous novel, where, to recap, a 21st century multi-national (principally American, British and Australian, but also including French, Indonesians and other nationalities) naval task force has somehow been accidentally transported back to 1942, and caused radical changes to the course of World War II.

Not only the Western Allies, but also the Germans, Japanese and Soviets have obtained knowledge of the original history, as well as advanced weapons systems and are now putting this information to use. The Germans and Soviets have signed a ceasefire and established a joint research program, traitors in each country have been purged, and all nations have revised their war plans taking into account the new technologies and what would have been the original course of history.

In the United States, a special zone has been established where 21st century laws applies. The purpose of this zone is principally to manufacture advanced weapons systems, but it also acts as a magnet to those are uncomfortable with the social attitudes of the 1940s (which are as in the previous novel portrayed in an unflattering, but arguably realistic, way).

As with the first book, this is intelligently written, and about more than just a revised World War II. There is also social commentary, both about the 1940s and the present day, and even humor aimed at alternate history buffs.

By S. Tanna. First published at http://www.alternatehistorybooks.com/p1_books_designated_targets.php. For more alternate history books, please visit http://www.alternatehistorybooks.com/