The Divide (novel)
Encyclopedia
The Divide is a 1980 alternate history novel by William Overgard
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, running as the Isolationist Party candidate, defeats President Franklin Roosevelt on a pledge to keep America out of war. After Germany has overrun all of Russia, both Germany and Japan attack and invade the United States in 1941. President Wheeler surrenders the United States to the Axis after a devastating bombardment of missiles from occupied Canada. The Surrender takes place on April 20, 1948, Adolf Hitler's fifty ninth birthday. President Wheeler, Army Chief of Staff General George Marshall
, and other U.S. Government officials are executed by garrote in a meat packing plant outside of Washington D.C. after being found guilty of war crimes.
All of that is in the plot's past.
celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Axis Victory in World War Two.
The book begins on July 4, 1976. A Japanese General is visiting China Lake, California, the site of his victory over General George Patton
during World War Two. A bomb planted on a horse explodes killing the General, and a mysterious Cowboy is seen in the area.
The cowboy is Cooper, who travelling with his adopted father Wayne Stubbs, and a young native American woman named Chula travel to a hidden base in the Rocky Mountains. The base, known as the National Redoubt, is commanded by the last U.S. Army General. General Buckwesson, who at thirty eight was the youngest four star general in history, was given orders by the last American President, Burton K. Wheeler, to set up a base in the Rockies, and complete the Manhattan Project in hopes that the first Atomic Bomb would some day liberate the country. Buckwesson, comfortable in his fortress, has no intention of sparking a revolution despite the unique opportunity that has recently arisen.
A senile Hitler and a retired Tojo are meeting in the geographic center of the now divided United States. Cooper and younger members of the resistance plan on attacking the event, and Lisa Blum, daughter of the last head of the Manhattan Project, suggests using the only Atomic Bomb in the world.
William Overgard
William Overgard , was an American cartoonist and writer with a diverse opus, including novels, screenplays, animation, and the comic strips Steve Roper and Mike Nomad and Rudy. For a picture, see his biography card at ....
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Background - historical divergence from our history
After the Nazis force the surrender of Britain and France in 1940, Burton K. WheelerBurton K. Wheeler
Burton Kendall Wheeler was an American politician of the Democratic Party and a United States Senator from 1923 until 1947.-Early life:...
, running as the Isolationist Party candidate, defeats President Franklin Roosevelt on a pledge to keep America out of war. After Germany has overrun all of Russia, both Germany and Japan attack and invade the United States in 1941. President Wheeler surrenders the United States to the Axis after a devastating bombardment of missiles from occupied Canada. The Surrender takes place on April 20, 1948, Adolf Hitler's fifty ninth birthday. President Wheeler, Army Chief of Staff General George Marshall
George Marshall
George Catlett Marshall was an American military leader, Chief of Staff of the Army, Secretary of State, and the third Secretary of Defense...
, and other U.S. Government officials are executed by garrote in a meat packing plant outside of Washington D.C. after being found guilty of war crimes.
All of that is in the plot's past.
Plot introduction
A group of American Resistance fighters attempt to spark a revolution at a summit meeting between Hitler and TojoHideki Tōjō
Hideki Tōjō was a general of the Imperial Japanese Army , the leader of the Taisei Yokusankai, and the 40th Prime Minister of Japan during most of World War II, from 17 October 1941 to 22 July 1944...
celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Axis Victory in World War Two.
The book begins on July 4, 1976. A Japanese General is visiting China Lake, California, the site of his victory over General George Patton
George S. Patton
George Smith Patton, Jr. was a United States Army officer best known for his leadership while commanding corps and armies as a general during World War II. He was also well known for his eccentricity and controversial outspokenness.Patton was commissioned in the U.S. Army after his graduation from...
during World War Two. A bomb planted on a horse explodes killing the General, and a mysterious Cowboy is seen in the area.
The cowboy is Cooper, who travelling with his adopted father Wayne Stubbs, and a young native American woman named Chula travel to a hidden base in the Rocky Mountains. The base, known as the National Redoubt, is commanded by the last U.S. Army General. General Buckwesson, who at thirty eight was the youngest four star general in history, was given orders by the last American President, Burton K. Wheeler, to set up a base in the Rockies, and complete the Manhattan Project in hopes that the first Atomic Bomb would some day liberate the country. Buckwesson, comfortable in his fortress, has no intention of sparking a revolution despite the unique opportunity that has recently arisen.
A senile Hitler and a retired Tojo are meeting in the geographic center of the now divided United States. Cooper and younger members of the resistance plan on attacking the event, and Lisa Blum, daughter of the last head of the Manhattan Project, suggests using the only Atomic Bomb in the world.