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Final Impact by John Birmingham
01/04/2007 . Source: Paul Hanley 
pub: Del Rey/Ballantine Books. 342 page enlarged paperback. Price: $14.95 (US), $19.95 (CAN). ISBN: 0-345-49516-5. Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK. Buy Final Impact in the USA - or Buy Final Impact in the UK  check out website: www.delreybooks.com
As reviewers we are often asked to comment on whether a book, taken in isolation, is a good read. Having read what I think is the third volume in this series I have to answer NO. I think this is the very first time I have said this in a review. That said I do have the earlier books and am about to start reading them so I would recommend reading this book provided you start with volume one.
In essence, an allied naval task force from some time a decade or so in our future is catapulted back into World War II. This book starts with 1944. As the modern task force of carriers, submarines, commando carriers and other vessels seems to have been scattered across the globe not only is advanced technology, but the history of what happened during the war and after, given to the combatants of the Second World War.
Regimes know their fate. Not only Nazi Germany but also the ultimate collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s.
It is a well-written book and rather reminds me of Harry Turtledove who often bases his stories, both Science Fiction/alternative fiction or fantasy, on the events of World War II and like John Birmingham, the author of this book, uses multiple viewpoint characters.
Whilst the heroes of this book are predominantly modern people, many of them are not very pleasant. They have been involved in decades long warfare with Muslim fundamentalists and the author supposes that there are various legalistic ways they have for exterminating their enemies.
Having been both a soldier and a criminal lawyer myself, I am not at all sure their viewpoint is right neither but it does set up tensions with the people natural, if that is the appropriate term, to the 1940s. I think the writer has brought out lots of interesting points. Obviously, the various countries adopt what modern weapons they can. The British Army, as they prepare for D-Day, adopt a variant of the AK47, for example. They also have a Colonel Harry Wales, Prince, commanding a unit of modern SAS. All sort of fun elements like that are introduced.
Where would you have the landings in France if Hitler knew that historically the western Allies were landing in Normandy in June? May in the Pas de Calais complete with a massed helicopter assault is the answer according to the author. The story steadily unfolds with nuclear strikes, chemical warfare, and other actions. An interesting idea well told
I enjoyed this book but if you do decide to read it do start at the beginning with the author's first book 'Weapons Of Choice'.
Paul Hanley
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