Leo Rutman

What if the Nazis had invaded the United States? Taking place in occupied and cut off New York, here's a very well crafted book where, the East Coast is controlled by the Germans while, Roosevelt's government is in exile in California. It reminded me of what happened in France during WWII and, in fact, all the historical details that were the lot of most of the then European occupied countries are just being transposed here. It's intellegently done though, each of these details and events show more (rationing, black market, denunciations, roundups and executions, propaganda etc.) fitting very nicely and relevantly within the storyline. The story itself is quite nice. It tells of internal conspiracies within the occupying Nazis (including a plot to kill Hitler, no less) and, of a group of Resistants planning to sabotage a plane factory -the two subplots colliding in an ending as anbitious as it is skillfully well thought. Slight twist, most of Leo Rutman's characters belong to the 1940s New York's underworld or, at least are a surprising but nice cast -actresses, gangsters, thugs, trade unionists and else, from the despicable opportunists and the surprising heroes to the fighters and the profiteers. They all interact in a balanced mix of action, drama and romance that, surely can be a bit naive and cheesy at times but, makes nonetheless for an enjoyable read. In fact, 'Clash of Eagles' (and what a great title, by the way!) leaves with a nice feel of watching some of those old American movies from the black and white era! That's how great the atmosphere here is. All in all quite a very pleasant book. show less