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Designated Targets by John Birmingham
01/09/2007 . Source: Paul Hanley 
pub: Del Rey/Ballantine Books. 367 enlarged paperback. Price: $14.95 (US), $21.00 (CAN). ISBN: 0-345-45714-5. Buy Designated Targets in the USA - or Buy Designated Targets in the UK  check out website: www.delreydigital.com
This is, I think, the second book in the 'Axis Of Time' series and whilst it stands up fairly well as a read on its own terms, I think it would be better if the books were read in sequence. In essence, a force of ships with their fighting men and aircraft have gone back in time from slightly in our future to World War II. Whilst most of these have sided with the Allies, sufficient of the advanced kit and knowledge of events has reached all participating combatants for the chain of events to be broken as the warring faction vie to benefit from the advanced technology and also the knowledge of where certain actions will lead.
It is fair to say that the story concentrates most on America and Americans. The new arrivals do not take kindly to many things, not least the racial segregation in America in the 1940s. As their payoff for aiding the 1940s Allies, they are permitted to set up The Special Zone which is a territory they control in Silicon Valley both creating modern weaponry, communications and so forth but also, more sinisterly, setting about some serious social engineering. They recruit locals into their armed forces and the rules on equality of gender, race and so forth are mid-21st century.
I do enjoy stories of alternate history stories. Those who have read those by Harry Turtledove will recognise Mr Birmingham's style in having a number of viewpoint characters of both sexes, different ages, ranks, civilian as well as military which enable him to create his story on a global scale.
If you have an interest in and a knowledge of the World War II campaigns, this book is great fun. The book is full of action involving everything from high-tech weaponry to hand-to-hand combat. Birmingham does combat very well. He also takes the story forward, not only militarily and politically but also the vaguely sinister activities of the newcomers. A good read but do start with the first book in the series, which I think is called 'Weapons Of Choice'.
Overall, an enjoyable read but I would suggest starting with the first volume in the series.
Paul Hanley
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