If the Allies Had Fallen: Sixty Alternate Scenarios of World War II

In this compelling book, historians suggest what might have been if key events during the war had gone differently, from the Munich Crisis to the dropping of the first atom bomb, including Hitler's declaration of war on the United States after Pearl Harbor and the D-Day landings. The Second World War could have turned out differently at many points, and a victory for Germany may have been possible, if not for, in some cases, chance, the weather, and the decisions of commanders. An exceptional team of historians speculates about what might have been

"It is easy to argue persuasively the truism that the lessons of history are best derived from what actually happened, rather than from what nearly happened. It should be added, however, that what happened becomes more fully comprehensible in the light of the contending forces that existed at moments of decision. Understanding of the total historical setting is bound to contribute to a clearer view of the actual course of affairs."---Harold C. Deutsch

In If the Allies Had Fallen, leading historians suggest what might have been if key events during World War II had gone differently. They predict realistic scenarios based on the capabilities and circumstances of the opposing forces, often with very chilling results. These are studied alternatives---not unrealistic or sensationalized speculations that are often attached to such volumes. At times, the historians hold opposing viewpoints on how events may unfold, bringing greater insight to the topic. The various perspectives enable us to understand how close many battles were, and to speculate how the decision of one person---or even chance, which played its part in the Battle of Midway---could have changed the world.

In a book of "what its," one thing is certain---a German victory was entirely possible, particularly in the early stages of the war. What if Hitler had been stopped, contained, or frustrated in his ambitions? Peace with Britain may have been possible in the summer of 1940. Alternatively, if Hitler had invaded Britain in that same summer, the operation would have had a great chance of success. To coin a phrase from another period, "It was a near run thing."

Dennis E Showalter is a professor of history at Colorado College who specializes in German military history. He is also the former president of the American Society for Military History. Showalter has previously taught at the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Military Academy, and the Marine Corps University. His recent publications include Patton and Rommel: Men of War in the Twentieth Century and Hitler's Panzers: The Lightning Attacks that Revolutionized Warfare.
Harold C. Deutsch was a historian at the University of Minnesota, and was the author of The Conspiracy Against Hitler in the Twilight War and Hitler and His Generals: The Hidden Crisis, January-June 1938.
William R. Forstchen is the author of more than forty books, including the award-winning We Look Like Men of War. He is a professor of history and faculty fellow at Montreat College, in Montreat, North Carolina.