Robert Conroy
Robert Conroy is the author of a run of hugely popular alternate history novels, including Himmler’s War, for Baen Books. His 1942, which is set within a Japanese conquest of Hawaii, won the prestigious Sidewise Award for alternate histories. Conroy has written for Military History magazine and has traveled extensively in Europe where he’s taken a special interest in battlefields, historical collections and castles. After a first career in business, Conroy has turned his lifelong passion for writing and military history into an immensely satisfying new occupation. He is married, lives in southeastern Michigan, and, when not writing, teaches business and economic history at a local college.
"Several people have asked me where I find the plots for my books, and the answer is that they are everywhere. I have a list of ideas I won't get to even if I live to be 150. My rules are very simple. The changes to history must be plausible. Ergo, no time travel, witches, or vampires. Also, the people must behave in a manner at least reasonably consistent with their time and place, although some can be pioneers. So too, the technology cannot change too much.
I insist on having fun. I've been asked how much I work at writing and the answer is not one minute. When this becomes work I retire for the second time.
Alternate history is thought provoking, especially when it comes to the secondary or ripple effects of changing real history. Some scholars have derided alternate history as brain candy. Obviously, I disagree. I truly think our so-called leaders should take a long look at past decisions and see how they might have worked out if they had chosen Plan B instead of Plan A."
"Several people have asked me where I find the plots for my books, and the answer is that they are everywhere. I have a list of ideas I won't get to even if I live to be 150. My rules are very simple. The changes to history must be plausible. Ergo, no time travel, witches, or vampires. Also, the people must behave in a manner at least reasonably consistent with their time and place, although some can be pioneers. So too, the technology cannot change too much.
I insist on having fun. I've been asked how much I work at writing and the answer is not one minute. When this becomes work I retire for the second time.
Alternate history is thought provoking, especially when it comes to the secondary or ripple effects of changing real history. Some scholars have derided alternate history as brain candy. Obviously, I disagree. I truly think our so-called leaders should take a long look at past decisions and see how they might have worked out if they had chosen Plan B instead of Plan A."
