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Weapons Of Choice by John Birmingham
01/05/2008 . Source: Paul Hanley 
pub: Del Rey/Ballantine Books. 483 paperback. Price: $ 7.99 (US), $10.99 (CAN). ISBN: 0-345-45713-7. Buy Weapons Of Choice in the USA - or Buy Weapons Of Choice in the UK  check out website: www.delreydigital.com
This is the first book in a series of, I think, three so far. I unfortunately read book 2 first and wrote a review of that earlier. I enjoyed that book which is why I chose to read and review the first one in the series and would stress that anyone else should start with this book.
The story starts in 2021, a decade or so in our future, where clearly the war on terror has become bloodier and bloodier. A western naval task force is assembling off the islands of the former state of Indonesia. An Islamic group have taken over and are massacring the non-Moslems in the population. They are also laying claim to a swath of territory including Malaysia and Northern Australia. Amongst this predominantly US force there are Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy as well as a Japanese, German and some vessels operated by the Indonesian government-in-exile. Amongst this assembling group is a research ship, the Nagoya. This ship was conducting some advanced experiments trying to see if it is possible to build a form of teleporter. The arrogant scientist in charge decides to continue with his work and in some bizarre outcome the Task Force is flung back into World War II. Most arrive amongst the American ships heading for the Battle of Midway in 1942 and seeing the Japanese flag flying on the stern of a modern stealth ship, the Americans open fire with devastating results to both forces.
However, not all the ships have landed in the same area and the Axis powers, Japan and Germany, become aware of the situation and acquire some of this modern technology. Moreover, those running the world in 1942 become aware from the information contained on the ships what the outcome of the war was going to be. Going to be, of course, because now they all have a chance to change their actions and hope it will change the outcome of the war and events thereafter.
We see the action from various viewpoints. Newcomers as well as the people of 1942, German, American, British, Indonesian and other nationalities and also military of all services and ranks and various civilians.
John Birmingham writes what is a high-tech military thriller which has the added bonus of linking in with the military history of World War II. He very clearly shows us the mindset of the various participants which is particularly well done as he shows the arrogance of the military newcomers, many of whom are women or from ethnic minorities, which grates with the 'locals' who have all the old sexist, racist, etc opinions of 60 years ago. Clearly there are going to be all sorts of problems ahead.
A great book if you like books on high-tech warfare and a good story. Highly recommended.
Paul Hanley
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