Review of "SS-GB: Nazi-Occupied Britain 1941," by Len Deighton

 Review of

SS-GB: Nazi-Occupied Britain 1941, by Len Deighton, ISBN 0394504097

Five out of five stars

Interesting alternate history premise

 The basic premise of this detective thriller is one of significant alternate history. After the defeat of the Allied forces in 1940, Germany was successful in their invasion of Britain. While there were major battles on British soil, the remaining British forces were no match for the Germans. The King is hostage in the Tower of London, Winston Churchill was captured and executed and there is no government in exile in the British colonies. 

 The year is 1941 and the alliance between Germany and the Soviet Union remains intact. There was a great deal of damage to the British infrastructure and many British soldiers were captured and remain as P.O.W.s elsewhere. Most of the British people try to live as best they can with rationing and German troops patrolling the streets. There is a resistance movement, but it is small and generally ineffective. The areas of Britain that remain unoccupied are slowly being starved out. While sympathetic, the United States remains neutral, with no great desire to come to the aid of the British nation. 

 Within the British population, there are some officials that remain in their positions and try to serve the British people as best they can under the watchful eyes of their German superiors. One such person is Detective Superintendent Douglas Archer of Scotland Yard. He continues to do the best he can in investigating crimes and has a professional relationship with the Germans. 

 The story has a complex plot, and much is based on the historical fact of the deep animosity between various segments of the German military. The Army retains much of its Prussian aristocratic office core and they have a deep dislike for the more working class and brutal SS. The machinations inside the German military made this a joy for history buffs like me to read. Few historical accounts or works of historical fiction deal with these rivalries within the German military. If you are not a student of history, then some of the aspects of the plot will seem incorrect. However, those that know the history will find them superb features of a delightful story. 

Review of "Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration," by Buzz Aldrin

 Review of 

Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration, by Buzz Aldrin, ISBN 9781426214684

Five out of five stars

Solid, practical plans for space exploration

 Buzz Aldrin was the second man to walk on the Moon and is considered one of the most intelligent of the astronauts. He had a doctorate in astronautics and the other astronauts gave him the nickname “Dr. Rendezvous,” because of his deep knowledge of orbital mechanics.  Aldrin is also credited with inventing underwater training of astronauts to simulate weightless conditions. 

 This book is a detailed description of Aldrin’s position on how human exploration of space and other planets should proceed. He uses his expertise on complex orbits, knowledge of how projects are approved and funded to describe a way in which a semi-permanent shuttle that would travel between Earth and Mars could operate. 

 A large ship capable of coupling modules for crews would fly in a continuous looping orbit between Earth and Mars. A module containing an outbound crew would rendezvous with it when it is near Earth and then move out to Mars. While the ship is near Mars, the module would detach and the module containing returning astronauts would rendezvous with the ship and attach to it for the journey back to Earth. Once the large ship is constructed and placed in the looping orbit, minimal fuel would be required to make the journeys. 

 Aldrin also points out that the two small moons of Mars would serve as excellent way stations and bases for travel to the Martian surface. With little gravity and a rapid orbital speed around Mars, these moons would be easy to disengage from and provide a superb observational platform. 

 This is a book that should be read by all people interested in space exploration that has the goal of exploring Mars. Aldrin has experience in space, a strong background in the science needed to send ships on long, complex voyages and has the gravitas that forces serious attention to his positions. 

Review of "Asteroids: Deadly Impact," National Geographic DVD

 Review of

Asteroids: Deadly Impact, National Geographic DVD

Five out of five stars

Explanation of humanity’s existential threat

 For decades, humanity has faced potential extinction due to a major thermonuclear war. However, there is another existential threat that has existed since the first humans walked the Earth. That threat is from space in the form of the ultimate wanderers of the solar system, comets and asteroids.

 These objects are remnants of the creation of the solar system that have no orbit with a fixed distance from the sun. Their orbits take them from a shorter distance from the sun out to great distances. If the alignment is right, the Earth’s gravity will attract them into a collision course with Earth.

 There is evidence that there have been spectacular collisions in the past, there is now general agreement among the scientific community that such a collision led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. There was one major collision in human history, and it took place in Siberia in June of 1908.

 This video is the story of geologist Eugene Shoemaker and his decades-long quest to convince the scientific world that meteors of significant size have impacted with Earth and that the craters on the moon were made by meteor strikes. It is a fascinating story of persistence and the conclusion that there is a real, albeit small probability that humanity will be wiped out by an asteroid collision. There is a higher probability that there will be a repeat of the Siberian strike, most likely in an ocean, that will not be at the level of an extinction event.

 This is a video that should be shown in all K-12 programs, because it is possible for humanity to mount an effective deterrent to such a strike.  To create such a defense would require significant expense and that would necessitate public support. Generating such support will require educating the taxpayers.