The Second Sun    by P. T. Deutermann Order:  USA  Can St. Martin's, 2025 (2025) Hardcover, e-Book      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson I've long appreciated P.T. Deutermann's military historicals (such as Iwo, 26 Charlie), their credibility built on his own experience as a navy captain. Now he brings us The Second Sun, whose premise is that the Japanese were close to having their own atomic bombs before the end of WW II and that it was a race against time as to who would deploy them first. The lead is Captain Wolfe Bowen who had commanded destroyers in the Pacific theater. Now in spring 1945, he reports to the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, DC. His role changes quickly after he answers an urgent call to go to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where a German U-boat has been brought after its capture. Two Japanese civilians are aboard and there's something off about the really big sub. Turns out that there is radiation aboard. Soon Captain Van Rensselaer arrives, takes over, and seconds Bowen to his team. Naval intelligence Lieutenant Commander Janet Waring, who speaks and translates Japanese, joins them and she and Wolfe grow close. They are informed about the Manhattan Project and watch a test blast. Then Wolfe is sent across the world to rendezvous with a US sub and observe a Japanese bomb blast off eastern Korea. His report precipitates the decision to launch Armageddon on Japan. Afterwards, Janet and Wolfe reluctantly agree to go there and report back on the perspective from the ground, horrific as that is. The President needs to know how the Japanese people view the US in the aftermath, when Japan becomes a vitally needed ally. The Second Sun is an engrossing, and disturbing, read. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Historical books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews