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On The Edge Of Twilight
NEWS NORMANDY INVASION FAILS
The author was ten years old when America entered WWII and I remember the Home Front very well. The Nazis could have won the war if the Normandy invasion had failed because it would have provided the time to use the futuristic weapons in existence and ready to be used in 1944. If the Normandy invasion had failed the Nazis would have been able to launch a futuristic, "push button" kind of war. The allies would have been virtually without defenses to counter weapons this advanced and years ahead of the allies weapons development.
RVan HolsT Review *****
On the Edge of Twilight, by Aaron T. Knight, is hard to classify. It is part military documentary, part history, part adventure story and part romance novel.
The Allies are about to invade the beaches of Normandy. Major Mike Canyon, who has already seen action, is part of the team at SHAEF (Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force). It is his job to monitor incoming messages and train soldiers. help make sure the invasion goes smoothly. We follow Mike's adventures as he witnesses the invasion of Normandy, and the devastation of London. We also go with him to Greece and Norway, as he tries to frustrate Hitler's attempts to browbeat the Allies into submission.
But that is not all that's on his mind.
Life seemed to be going swimmingly for Mike. He has risen from lowly beginnings to marry a beautiful woman and enjoy a job which promised lots of opportunities for success. But recently he received devastating news of his wife's infidelity. With his marriage now wrecked beyond repair, he is cast adrift once again on the sea of love, and looks for somewhere to cast an anchor. On the one hand there is Rachel, a strong-minded yet sensuous woman who holds out a promise of passion. He also meets Barbara, an intelligent and independent Red Cross girl whom he comes to respect greatly. Which one of them will he choose?
Aaron Knight documents military strategies, tactical moves and political upheaval to portray for the reader with amazing detail the volatile time near the close of World War II. But he also gives us a cast of vividly drawn characters. There are heroes, villains, clowns, statesmen, opportunists, martyrs and ordinary folk. They are trying to wrest a victory from the jaws of defeat, and to find a bit of happiness amid the dangers and uncertainties of war.
R
On the
Edge of Twilight
Aaron T Knight
PART I
GREAT TIDES OF WAR
Chapter One
SHAEF Headquarters, England. June 5, 1944.
The Sole responsibility for deciding whether the Allied invasion of France would commence the following day, June 6, 1944, was vested in the Supreme Commander of European Theatre of Operations, General Eisenhower. At the moment, spring storms in the English Channel were a greater enemy than the armies of Nazi Germany. On June 3, [the invasion had been launched and the weather had become so foul that the gigantic invasion force of over 5,000 ship had to be recalled from half way across the English Channel. A large number of the soldiers making up the invading forces had been living in crowded misery aboard the transports and LSTs since June 3. For some, the tension of waiting to hear whether the invasion would go forward or be aborted was almost unendurable.
A British meteorologist completed his weather report for the assembled top brass. His report wasn't what they wanted to hear. His best estimate of the weather for the next 36 hours was a possible window of calmer weather. However, everyone in the room was aware of the treacherously changing weather common to the English Channel. This storm was a large one and it appeared that there was definitely more to the storm front than they had experienced so f
The author was ten years old when America entered WWII and I remember the Home Front very well. The Nazis could have won the war if the Normandy invasion had failed because it would have provided the time to use the futuristic weapons in existence and ready to be used in 1944. If the Normandy invasion had failed the Nazis would have been able to launch a futuristic, "push button" kind of war. The allies would have been virtually without defenses to counter weapons this advanced and years ahead of the allies weapons development.
RVan HolsT Review *****
On the Edge of Twilight, by Aaron T. Knight, is hard to classify. It is part military documentary, part history, part adventure story and part romance novel.
The Allies are about to invade the beaches of Normandy. Major Mike Canyon, who has already seen action, is part of the team at SHAEF (Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force). It is his job to monitor incoming messages and train soldiers. help make sure the invasion goes smoothly. We follow Mike's adventures as he witnesses the invasion of Normandy, and the devastation of London. We also go with him to Greece and Norway, as he tries to frustrate Hitler's attempts to browbeat the Allies into submission.
But that is not all that's on his mind.
Life seemed to be going swimmingly for Mike. He has risen from lowly beginnings to marry a beautiful woman and enjoy a job which promised lots of opportunities for success. But recently he received devastating news of his wife's infidelity. With his marriage now wrecked beyond repair, he is cast adrift once again on the sea of love, and looks for somewhere to cast an anchor. On the one hand there is Rachel, a strong-minded yet sensuous woman who holds out a promise of passion. He also meets Barbara, an intelligent and independent Red Cross girl whom he comes to respect greatly. Which one of them will he choose?
Aaron Knight documents military strategies, tactical moves and political upheaval to portray for the reader with amazing detail the volatile time near the close of World War II. But he also gives us a cast of vividly drawn characters. There are heroes, villains, clowns, statesmen, opportunists, martyrs and ordinary folk. They are trying to wrest a victory from the jaws of defeat, and to find a bit of happiness amid the dangers and uncertainties of war.
R
On the
Edge of Twilight
Aaron T Knight
PART I
GREAT TIDES OF WAR
Chapter One
SHAEF Headquarters, England. June 5, 1944.
The Sole responsibility for deciding whether the Allied invasion of France would commence the following day, June 6, 1944, was vested in the Supreme Commander of European Theatre of Operations, General Eisenhower. At the moment, spring storms in the English Channel were a greater enemy than the armies of Nazi Germany. On June 3, [the invasion had been launched and the weather had become so foul that the gigantic invasion force of over 5,000 ship had to be recalled from half way across the English Channel. A large number of the soldiers making up the invading forces had been living in crowded misery aboard the transports and LSTs since June 3. For some, the tension of waiting to hear whether the invasion would go forward or be aborted was almost unendurable.
A British meteorologist completed his weather report for the assembled top brass. His report wasn't what they wanted to hear. His best estimate of the weather for the next 36 hours was a possible window of calmer weather. However, everyone in the room was aware of the treacherously changing weather common to the English Channel. This storm was a large one and it appeared that there was definitely more to the storm front than they had experienced so f
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 2, 2012
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 28, 2013
I have to start my review a little different than I normally do. Let me explain how you cannot approach this book.
This is a story of what-if. Forget your history to an extent. World War II didn’t develop the way you remembered. This is a story of a different D-Day and a different war afterwards. The Allies did not win. Hitler grew stronger. If you are a history buff, this might proof difficult for you. I found myself stopping periodically as I would question the events. Several times, I had to remind myself that it was fiction and most of the story was not based on historical events but more on the players’ personalities and drive.
There are many characters that play in this story though the author narrows it mainly to one man. You are there as they watch men die, as politicians negotiate, and as they try to keep some of their own sanity during it all. A few times the pace slowed down, but it was more to develop characters and give background.
I think the author did an excellent job in describing the battle scenes. In fact, that was where he excelled the most in his writing. The dialogue was okay. I felt that it was not too realistic at times and the description surrounding the dialogue was awkward. I spent a lot of time rereading many of the action scenes because they were so well done. I felt like I was there when it was happening.
This was a creative piece of writing and a huge challenge for any writer. I commend him for taking the chance to do so. It really had me thinking about the various what-ifs. Also, he explored a bit of military trivia and turned it into a history changing story. Most of us know that Hitler was on the verge of many technological advancements. We just have no idea how close and how it would have changed the entire war.
Give this book a try. Use it to discuss the technology and the what-if scenarios with your history friends. You’ll find a lot to talk about.
Note: I received this book from the author with no expectation of a positive review.
This is a story of what-if. Forget your history to an extent. World War II didn’t develop the way you remembered. This is a story of a different D-Day and a different war afterwards. The Allies did not win. Hitler grew stronger. If you are a history buff, this might proof difficult for you. I found myself stopping periodically as I would question the events. Several times, I had to remind myself that it was fiction and most of the story was not based on historical events but more on the players’ personalities and drive.
There are many characters that play in this story though the author narrows it mainly to one man. You are there as they watch men die, as politicians negotiate, and as they try to keep some of their own sanity during it all. A few times the pace slowed down, but it was more to develop characters and give background.
I think the author did an excellent job in describing the battle scenes. In fact, that was where he excelled the most in his writing. The dialogue was okay. I felt that it was not too realistic at times and the description surrounding the dialogue was awkward. I spent a lot of time rereading many of the action scenes because they were so well done. I felt like I was there when it was happening.
This was a creative piece of writing and a huge challenge for any writer. I commend him for taking the chance to do so. It really had me thinking about the various what-ifs. Also, he explored a bit of military trivia and turned it into a history changing story. Most of us know that Hitler was on the verge of many technological advancements. We just have no idea how close and how it would have changed the entire war.
Give this book a try. Use it to discuss the technology and the what-if scenarios with your history friends. You’ll find a lot to talk about.
Note: I received this book from the author with no expectation of a positive review.
May 31, 2022
"General Eisenhower, the supreme commander of the Allies, sat alone in his office. He opened the center drawer of his desk and withdrew two sheets of paper. Each contained an official announcement for release to the press. One release announced the successful invasion of France. The other was a letter announcing that the invasion of France had failed and he alone was responsible. With the greatest of effort he tore up the release proclaiming victory, then stood up from his desk and took the other one to the outer office for release to the world. The announcement... reverberated around the world.”
Failure.
This book begins as a play by play, hour by hour, of the allied invasion of Normandy through the eyes of Major Mike Canyon, an American officer who is suffering from a life-threatening wound from his time serving in Africa. Immediately, you are drawn into the story which the author relays as factual, at least you think is factual, of the D-Day invasion in the midst of a terrible storm. Mike attempts to salvage a disastrous military exercise in Portsmouth England while the allied forces hope for a speedy end to the conflict against the Nazis. But it is not to be. Between the storm and the incredible skill and ingenuity of Hitler’s army, the entire strategy of the Normandy invasion fails. (Can you imagine?)
London is inundated with buzz bombs and the air raids become a normal part of life. The city is nearly flattened and millions flee. The failure of D-Day results in two things: lowering the morale of the allied forces, and the major boost of the Wehrmacht – especially as they pump out new weaponry at a startling rate... even using the millions of prisoners from the camps as shields in the fight against their enemies. (Again, can you imagine?)
These new weapons, missiles of stealth and long range, start to reach the Eastern seaboard of the United States. Roosevelt and Eisenhower are helpless as hundreds of bombs rain down on Washington and New York City. Field combat has taken a back seat as Hitler pushes forward this new initiative.
As the conflict grows and the Third Reich’s victory is in sight, Mike struggles with his own personal demons. His marriage is a failure, discovering his wife is cheating, and he files for an annulment to avoid scandal and to put a bullet in what once was a loving relationship. The struggle for survival in the chaos in London brings two women into his life – Barbara, a “donut” girl (nurse) who he protects during one of the air raid attacks, and Rachel, a headstrong young woman who is out to get what she wants, which is a lot of money obtained by use of her “womanly skills”. While very attracted to Barbara, Mike falls hard for Rachel, a woman he knows he should not love and who strings him along with vacant promises and wild passionate nights. The amazing way the author weaves the story of the war with the war Mike has with his feelings is done with great skill. Plus, delivering this ‘what-if’ story in a way that, honestly, I had to go back and do a little research to make sure if some of the things didn’t actually happen. Mr Knight’s attention to detail to make the story believable is incredible.
On another front in Mike’s life is the treachery and greed of the black market, plus the behind-the-scenes political wrangling due to the failure of bringing the war to a quick close.
This book is definitely a dramatic read, a alternate version of WWII with all the shock and awe to thrill a reader; and to entertain and illuminate how very close the world came to Nazi domination. You are presented with political intrigues, personal vendettas teetering on a very “Godfather” feel, fleshed out characters, and a love interest which threads through the entire story.
While enjoyable and immersive in the details of the war, and well developed in Mike’s own story, from time to time I came across editing issues which, overall, did not detract from the main storyline. My only concern came as the end approached as the Nazi victory took a back seat to Mike and Barbara’s life, their survival... so I was left wondering if the author was going to develop the war front more. The conclusion with that aspect left me a little confused... I mean, I sort of know what was going to happen but not, which was interesting since Mr Knight took such care with the incredible detail of this alternate war during the first part of the book. The finality of the storyline for Mike felt completely developed, so that was a plus.
All in all, Mr Knight welds the facts of WWII seamlessly into the fiction of the story, plus adding the “alternate” flavor which presents as if you are reading actual history taking place. Thankfully, we are not reading actual history but his skill at storytelling is evident. This is action-packed and well worth a read.
“On the Edge of Twilight” receives 4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company (rounded up to 5 for the incredible detail of the “alternate war”)
Failure.
This book begins as a play by play, hour by hour, of the allied invasion of Normandy through the eyes of Major Mike Canyon, an American officer who is suffering from a life-threatening wound from his time serving in Africa. Immediately, you are drawn into the story which the author relays as factual, at least you think is factual, of the D-Day invasion in the midst of a terrible storm. Mike attempts to salvage a disastrous military exercise in Portsmouth England while the allied forces hope for a speedy end to the conflict against the Nazis. But it is not to be. Between the storm and the incredible skill and ingenuity of Hitler’s army, the entire strategy of the Normandy invasion fails. (Can you imagine?)
London is inundated with buzz bombs and the air raids become a normal part of life. The city is nearly flattened and millions flee. The failure of D-Day results in two things: lowering the morale of the allied forces, and the major boost of the Wehrmacht – especially as they pump out new weaponry at a startling rate... even using the millions of prisoners from the camps as shields in the fight against their enemies. (Again, can you imagine?)
These new weapons, missiles of stealth and long range, start to reach the Eastern seaboard of the United States. Roosevelt and Eisenhower are helpless as hundreds of bombs rain down on Washington and New York City. Field combat has taken a back seat as Hitler pushes forward this new initiative.
As the conflict grows and the Third Reich’s victory is in sight, Mike struggles with his own personal demons. His marriage is a failure, discovering his wife is cheating, and he files for an annulment to avoid scandal and to put a bullet in what once was a loving relationship. The struggle for survival in the chaos in London brings two women into his life – Barbara, a “donut” girl (nurse) who he protects during one of the air raid attacks, and Rachel, a headstrong young woman who is out to get what she wants, which is a lot of money obtained by use of her “womanly skills”. While very attracted to Barbara, Mike falls hard for Rachel, a woman he knows he should not love and who strings him along with vacant promises and wild passionate nights. The amazing way the author weaves the story of the war with the war Mike has with his feelings is done with great skill. Plus, delivering this ‘what-if’ story in a way that, honestly, I had to go back and do a little research to make sure if some of the things didn’t actually happen. Mr Knight’s attention to detail to make the story believable is incredible.
On another front in Mike’s life is the treachery and greed of the black market, plus the behind-the-scenes political wrangling due to the failure of bringing the war to a quick close.
This book is definitely a dramatic read, a alternate version of WWII with all the shock and awe to thrill a reader; and to entertain and illuminate how very close the world came to Nazi domination. You are presented with political intrigues, personal vendettas teetering on a very “Godfather” feel, fleshed out characters, and a love interest which threads through the entire story.
While enjoyable and immersive in the details of the war, and well developed in Mike’s own story, from time to time I came across editing issues which, overall, did not detract from the main storyline. My only concern came as the end approached as the Nazi victory took a back seat to Mike and Barbara’s life, their survival... so I was left wondering if the author was going to develop the war front more. The conclusion with that aspect left me a little confused... I mean, I sort of know what was going to happen but not, which was interesting since Mr Knight took such care with the incredible detail of this alternate war during the first part of the book. The finality of the storyline for Mike felt completely developed, so that was a plus.
All in all, Mr Knight welds the facts of WWII seamlessly into the fiction of the story, plus adding the “alternate” flavor which presents as if you are reading actual history taking place. Thankfully, we are not reading actual history but his skill at storytelling is evident. This is action-packed and well worth a read.
“On the Edge of Twilight” receives 4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company (rounded up to 5 for the incredible detail of the “alternate war”)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews