Rising Sun

Robert Conroy's "Rising Sun" presents an alternate history of World War II where Japan wins the crucial Battle of Midway in 1942. The United States suffers devastating naval losses, leaving them with just one aircraft carrier against Japan's nine in the Pacific theater. The aftermath sees Japan seizing control of the Pacific Ocean, launching an invasion of Alaska and establishing a blockade of Hawaii. The American West Coast faces bombing raids while the Panama Canal struggles with overwhelming military traffic. The novel follows the American military's efforts to counter Japanese dominance through strategic planning and limited counteroffensives. Key characters on both sides must navigate this altered version of World War II as the U.S. develops a plan to trap Japanese forces and regain control of the Pacific. This military alternate history explores themes of resilience and adaptation in the face of catastrophic defeat, while examining how the course of world history can hinge on single battles and decisions.

Readers consistently point to the detailed historical research and plausible alternate timeline of Japan continuing to fight after the atomic bombings. Many appreciate how Conroy integrates real historical figures with fictional characters. Positive reviews highlight: - Military accuracy and technical details - Character development of both American and Japanese perspectives - Tense combat sequences - Historical accuracy of the period Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Too many subplot threads that don't fully resolve - Some dialogue feels stiff or unnatural - Several historical inaccuracies noted by WW2 experts Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (428 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (89 reviews) "The military details shine but the personal stories drag" notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review states "Conroy nails the strategic elements but stumbles with character interactions." Multiple readers mention the book works better as a military history exploration than as a character-driven narrative.

Days of Infamy by Harry Turtledove This alternate history depicts Japan's successful invasion and occupation of Hawaii following Pearl Harbor.

The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick The story unfolds in an alternate 1962 where Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany won World War II and divided control of the United States.

1942 by Robert Conroy Japanese forces push deeper into the Pacific and launch attacks on the U.S. mainland after their victory at Midway.

Fox on the Rhine by Michael Dobson Hitler's assassination in 1943 leads to a new Nazi leadership under Himmler and an altered course of World War II in Europe.

Designated Targets by John Birmingham A military task force from 2021 appears in 1942, changing the course of World War II by providing modern weapons and technology to both sides.

🎯 Conroy wrote 16 alternate history novels during his career, with many focusing on different potential outcomes of World War II. ⚔️ The Battle of Midway (June 4-7, 1942) was a real turning point that prevented Japan from potentially invading Hawaii - the U.S. Navy sank four Japanese aircraft carriers in the actual battle. 🗺️ In reality, Japan never successfully invaded mainland U.S. territory during WWII, although they did occupy parts of Alaska's Aleutian Islands in 1942-43. 📚 This book is part of a trilogy of Conroy's WWII Pacific alternate histories, alongside "1942" and "1945: A Novel." ⭐ Before becoming a full-time author, Robert Conroy worked as a business and operations manager in Detroit, writing his novels in his spare time until his retirement.