I picked up this book at the library one day, and after reading the description of the book I was really excited to read it. Charles Lindbergh, the renowned aviation hero, defeated Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1940 election after running an isolationist campaign. after taking office he negotiated a peace treaty with Hitler's Germany. The story was told from the point of view of a Jewish family living in New Jersey, and telling the story of how they were effected by this "alternative history". I found the story fascinating, telling both how the country and world was effected by this what if story, and also how it effected a single family. The story was fascinating, it was well written, and I was captivated, up until the very end.
This was my first exposure to Roth, and I came away very impressed. I want to say it was a brilliant story, and I think it was, but I just can't get past the end. I won't give away too many details, but after things unravel and head off in unexpected directions, everything is wrapped up a little too neatly in the end. When I put down the book I imagined him thinking something like I need to wrap this up quickly because this is getting too long.
For the end alone I can't give it 5 stars, which is where I thought it was headed all along. It still was a very well written book that makes you wonder. It doesn't take much to change the world.
My rating: 4 stars
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