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The Goddess Of Fortune Kindle Edition
What if, by the passing of just two events, Japan and Germany had won World War 2?
The Goddess of Fortune is a work of alternative fiction in which history is re-explored, in sometimes surprising ways:
- Beautiful Louise, while only 24 years old, uses her intelligence, wiles, and body to dominate the so-called "stronger sex."
- Kaito Sasaki of the Bank of Tokyo, inspired by Lenin (“The best way to destroy the capitalist system is to debauch the currency”), proves just that with his printing of U.S. 100 dollar bills.
- The treachery of Hermann "Fatso" Goering is uncovered and his punishment is swift.
As a work of historical fiction, Goddess reveals the private foibles, quirks, and lusts of the famous of the period.
Prepare to re-imagine history, get The Goddess of Fortune today.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateMarch 11, 2014
- File size574 KB
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"...Blencowe succeeds in putting a unique spin on familiar events and creating plenty of new ones. He explores the darker connections among governments, corporations, and the military in an informed manner ("Nations have no permanent friends or allies, they only have permanent interests," one character says) and connects subplots in wildly different locales with relative ease." --Kirkus Reviews
"Goddess of Fortune is a tour-de-force of alternate historical fiction. The scenes jump from one end of the world to the next, but the action is almost constant. The book is filled with a tension, many times sexual, that teases the reader and leaves them yearning for more." --San Francisco Book Review
"Taking historical figures, places, and using his magical pen, Blencowe has created an interesting alternate universe of World War II. Every page will intrigue readers further into his brilliantly well-written world of fiction." --Manhattan Book Review
About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : B00J08X51E
- Publisher : Hamilton Bay Publishing (March 11, 2014)
- Publication date : March 11, 2014
- Language : English
- File size : 574 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 364 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,144,592 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #3,998 in 20th Century Historical Romance eBooks
- #4,594 in Alternative History
- #8,487 in 20th Century Historical Romance (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Andrew Blencowe discovered at an early age what it was like to live on the edge of life. During his high school years he dropped out to become a motorcycle racer. Smitten by computers in his early twenties, he went on to become founder and CEO of an international software company with offices on five continents. It is his international perspective and a drive to challenge assumptions that influence his writing interests.
As a weekend student of history, one point he noticed over and over was how a seemingly trivial action had such immense consequences. Regarding this point of minute actions, it is akin to a 1,000-ton boulder balanced precariously on a steel knife edge; at present still, but with the smallest nudge, an army of men cannot stop the monolith from rolling down the hill.
Another reoccurring point was how people's time frames are always myopically short; Zhou Enlai, when asked in the early 1970s about the significance of the French Revolution, was reputed to have answered, "Too early to say".
This myopia is daily becoming worse and worse as the destruction of the intellect by mobile "telephones" accelerates. Combined with iPads and other electronic reading devices, the ability of the human mind to think and ponder disturbance-free is being destroyed one interruption at a time.
These are some of the main threads in Blencowe's novels - the arrogance and massive overconfidence in the new (blithely and wrongly considered better); the panoply of quick fixes rather than a thoughtful analysis of the unexpected consequences of these often dangerous modern expedients.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book engaging and interesting. They describe it as an enjoyable read that pulls them in from the very beginning. The writing quality is praised for its skilled prose and irreverent use of strong language. Readers appreciate the useful information provided, including political and military details. The characters are described as interesting, colorful, and strong. Overall, customers find the book thought-provoking and unique.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the historical fiction. They find the book engaging with many fascinating moments and interesting facts about the WWII era. The book provides a well-rounded storyline and insightful analysis of the political, economic, and cultural climates in major locations. Overall, it's a strong outing of speculative fiction that offers a nice break from its peers.
"...characters and different countries/locations creating a well-rounded storyline leading to the bombing of Pearl Harbor...." Read more
"...His mind is fascinating in its dissection of current thought processes - a welcome and exhilarating posture that he weaves in to a very fine debut..." Read more
"...In conclusion to this history fiction, I would say it was quite intriguing but the sex scenes confused me of whether I was reading alternate history..." Read more
"...The book is rich in historical analysis of the political, economic, and cultural climates of the major players in the war like the United States,..." Read more
Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book. They find the prose skillful, with a pleasingly irreverent use of strong language at certain moments. The story is well-written in an alternate scenario, provoking and even thought-provoking. Readers appreciate the clear distinction in voice, vocabulary, and time-appropriate slang. The intricate tales are woven together with details that keep them focused.
"...I am seriously gushing over his writing style (including the erotica scenes) and how knowledgeable he is about the military aspects of it." Read more
"...I specially loved the writing style of the author as it made it an enjoyable read...." Read more
"...Conclusion: This is an interestingly devised, well-written alternative history that is provoking and even frightening in light of the inability of..." Read more
"...Some of the imagery and scenes are overly described. It's vivid and well written, but goes into too many minute details that drag on and dilute the..." Read more
Customers find the book an enjoyable read that draws them in from the start. They appreciate the author's intriguing and well-written writing style. The subject is interesting and thrilling for readers, even if they are not history buffs.
"...Overall, this was a great read and a very interesting read that makes you wonder about what could have been...." Read more
"...Brilliant on every level. We can only hope more books from his gifted author are brewing. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, September 15" Read more
"...But overall though the book was fascinating in it's own way and real amusing at times...." Read more
"...Despite those minor hiccups, this was an excellent book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is up for the inner workings of politics and..." Read more
Customers find the book provides useful information about the time period. They appreciate the author's research and peppering of facts. The book is thought-provoking, with an in-depth exploration of historical possibilities. Readers can clearly tell the author has a deep knowledge of history and did his homework.
"...The political and military information was impressive. The details on the war ships and other military equipment was amazingly written...." Read more
"...One can clearly tell the author has a deep knowledge of history to having attempted an alternate history that could have been possible...." Read more
"...Roosevelt, Churchill and others is quite uncomplimentary, albeit laced with fact...." Read more
"...They do provide useful information that is crucial for getting insight into the time period, the politics, and the characters...." Read more
Customers enjoy the character development. They find the characters interesting, with actual historical characters like Eva Braun and Franklin Roosevelt. The dialogue between characters makes readers feel as if they are part of the story. Readers appreciate strong female characters and colorful characters with real personalities and foibles of these legendary figures.
"...The story follows quite a few characters so we don’t really get attached to anyone...." Read more
"...Many characters are portrayed vividly like politicians of time...." Read more
"...He provides dialogue between characters that makes the reader feel as if you were a part of them or at least a fly on the wall witnessing the event...." Read more
"...The book takes place in the early 1940s, and follows a number of intriguing characters as they live in the history that Blencowe has created so..." Read more
Customers find the book's alternative history clever and engaging. They describe it as a brilliant masterpiece with an intelligent concept and catchy writing style. The alternative theme is intriguing and easy to follow, with interesting inventions like a fuel mixture. Overall, readers appreciate the author's skillful storytelling and original twists that make the book stand out from true historical works.
"...of the book, the joy is in the page-by-page reading of this inordinately imaginative and intelligent and retrospective revision of history aw it..." Read more
"...Conclusion: This is an interestingly devised, well-written alternative history that is provoking and even frightening in light of the inability of..." Read more
"...His take on what could have happened is very interesting and pretty unique, as he involves a multitude of things, including politics and..." Read more
"...I’m not so sure about that. I think the author did a good job of showing how sex and power go hand in hand and can be used to gain the upper hand or..." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's look. They find the cover captivating and intriguing. The style is straightforward and user-friendly, with terms that make it easy to understand. The scenes are tastefully done, but there are too many of them for a story. The information, facts, and imagery are well-presented.
"...The scenes were done tastefully but there were just way too many of them for a story about war and politics...." Read more
"...All of this is brilliantly done in a fashion that I have never witnessed or read before...." Read more
"...The story is very detailed with information, facts, and imagery. Some of the imagery and scenes are overly described...." Read more
"...One of the characters is no other than beautiful Louise...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They find it smooth and quick, with subtle changes in timing and reactions. The story moves seamlessly between characters, keeping them engaged. Readers appreciate the author's unique perspective on the times and issues that precipitated major events.
"...in its dissection of current thought processes - a welcome and exhilarating posture that he weaves in to a very fine debut novel...." Read more
"...Written in wonderfully skilled prose, this book manages to take a completely alternate timeline and relate it in such a way that it feels as if the..." Read more
"...It's good, it's likable, it has a good pacing and sense of tone throughout, avoiding tropes just enough while leaning on a few here and there...." Read more
"...The pacing moves smoothly between characters and you find yourself curious as to how things will eventually unfold...." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2017This is a speculative historical fiction about politics and war during the onset of WWII. The story follows quite a few characters so we don’t really get attached to anyone. Basically, we get to experience conversations between these political allies and enemies. We also get well described characters too with all their faults and imperfections. The story switches between characters and different countries/locations creating a well-rounded storyline leading to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The political and military information was impressive. The details on the war ships and other military equipment was amazingly written. I also found the language (dialect of the 40’s) in the dialogues right on. This was a well-researched book and really made it a fun and insightful read.
I should also point out that there is a lot of sexual content in the book, so much so that this story could fall under erotica. These characters were hungry for power and sex, but mostly, the women were made to be nymphomaniacs. The scenes were done tastefully but there were just way too many of them for a story about war and politics. I’m not sure they were all necessary and am still on the fence about it, thus why I am giving it 4 stars.
Overall, this was a great read and a very interesting read that makes you wonder about what could have been. I mostly enjoyed the prose this author used. I am seriously gushing over his writing style (including the erotica scenes) and how knowledgeable he is about the military aspects of it.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2015Australian author Andrew Blencowe lives a life that challenges expected thinking. He has been a motorcycle racer, a technology expert, a founder and CEO of an international software company with offices on five continents, and now an author consumed by history and the variations of results that could have happened with a series of `what ifs' - how a seemingly trivial action had such immense consequences. His observation that people's time frames are always myopically short and is' becoming worse and worse as the destruction of the intellect by mobile "telephones" accelerates. Combined with iPads and other electronic reading devices, the ability of the human mind to think and ponder disturbance-free is being destroyed one interruption at a time.' In many ways Andrew has placed before those of us who look askance at the `technological advances' a story that on many levels confirms our concerns. Or as he states to beware `the arrogance and massive overconfidence in the new (blithely and wrongly considered better); the panoply of quick fixes rather than a thoughtful analysis of the unexpected consequences of these often dangerous modern expedients.' His mind is fascinating in its dissection of current thought processes - a welcome and exhilarating posture that he weaves in to a very fine debut novel.
Even before his preface he offers an Author's Note: `On a very hot Sunday morning in June 1914, Gavrilo Princip ducked into a sandwich shop in Sarajevo for an early lunch a little before noon. Earlier that day he had failed to kill Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Outside the sandwich shop quietly eating his cheese sandwich, Gavrilo could not believe his luck: The large limousine carrying the royal couple stopped directly in front of him. Princip dropped his sandwich, took three steps forward, and fired just two shots, killing both Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie. Had the sandwich shop been located two doors further down the street, Princip would have been too far from the car. This is not to say that the proverbial powder keg of central Europe in 1914 would not have exploded from another spark a little later. But who knows, and who knows when? The Second Balkan Crisis of 1912-1913 had been resolved peaceably. Perhaps the tiny spark that started the catastrophe of the First World War was the location of the sandwich shop.
Andrew's novel is to tightly written that a synopsis is near impossible, but he offer the following:' What if, by the passing of just two events, Japan and Germany had won World War 2? The Goddess of Fortune is a work of speculative fiction in which alternate history is explored, and consequences examined. Kaito Sasaki of the Bank of Tokyo, inspired by Lenin ("The best way to destroy the capitalist system is to debauch the currency"), proves just that with his printing of U.S. 100 dollar bills. Beautiful Louise, while only 24 years old, uses her intelligence, wiles, and body to dominate the so-called "stronger sex." The treachery of Hermann "Fatso" Goering is uncovered and his punishment is swift. The duplicity of Roosevelt and his so-called Brains Trust is exposed and the doubts of the urbane gentleman, Henry Morgenthau, are made clear. As a work of historical fiction, Goddess reveals the private foibles, quirks, and lusts of the famous (and often rich) of the period. How could the end goals of the Axis possibly have come to fruition under the circumstances of the war's eventual events? Goddess explores just how, and in doing so brings to light in imaginative prose the lives of historical figures we have only known from our history books.'
Though this touches the salient concepts of the book, the joy is in the page-by-page reading of this inordinately imaginative and intelligent and retrospective revision of history aw it could have bee. Brilliant on every level. We can only hope more books from his gifted author are brewing. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, September 15
- Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2017The book "Goddess of Fortune" by Andrew Blencowe is a rewrite of history of a parallel world. The alternate world where it seems Germany and Japan were winning world war II. I think many of us have pondered over what it would have been like if those countries had won or how they had would have won. Well, Blencowe here has written this history fiction to fill in some of the gaps we try picturing. And to those who have forgotten history that was taught in class (like me), fear not, the author has done a good job in telling events that lead to a certain time in war.
The book mainly focuses on politics and strategy of winning a war, with twists of philosophy and erotica. Many characters are portrayed vividly like politicians of time. The story also has many points of veiws whether it's a German or a Japanese or even a courtesan. One can clearly tell the author has a deep knowledge of history to having attempted an alternate history that could have been possible.
In conclusion to this history fiction, I would say it was quite intriguing but the sex scenes confused me of whether I was reading alternate history or an erotic novel. Something I definitely wouldn't recommend younger readers to try. But overall though the book was fascinating in it's own way and real amusing at times. I specially loved the writing style of the author as it made it an enjoyable read. I recommend readers to give it a go since it isn't that big (less than 345 pages) and readers without much interest/knowledge in can read it too.
Just don't get your history facts wrong after all a fiction!
Top reviews from other countries
- JaypReviewed in Canada on December 26, 2016
4.0 out of 5 stars Quite worthwhile although marred by elements of preaching and some weak plausibility.
The spirit of Ayn Rand weights heavily over this well-crafted tale. On several occasions, characters engage in conversations whose aim seems to be to present her objectivist views. In Marx's world, the heroic proletariat struggles against the parasitic capitalists. With Rand, the makers (talented individuals responsible for introducing everything good and new) battle the takers (lazy layabouts) and their politician lackeys out to fleece them. At one point, a suggestion is explicitly made that the makers simply go on strike rather than continue to accept being milked. Tellingly, Rand's major novel “Atlas Shrugged” was almost titled “The Strike”.
Main PODs : Hitler is killed in an airplane crash in September 1941 just as the attack on Russia Barbarossa is losing its focus ; meanwhile the Japanese have successfully managed a major counterfeiting operation which gives them limitless funds for sabotage operations in the USA, Canada and Panama.
The story line flows well and the analysis is sharply focused although it sometimes veers into the dogmatic.
Churchill and Roosevelt are depicted as such utterly dim-witted buffoons that it is difficult to accept it. Even their most ferocious enemies were willing to grant them a good measure of political skills. These seem to have gone AWOL here.
On the other hand, abundant praise is granted to the Hitler-free Germans and the long-term planning Japanese. The firsts promptly display their usual efficiency in victoriously adjusting their strategy on the Eastern front while easily disposing of the Nazi party (a bit more easily than would be plausible). The seconds combine their sneak attack in the Pacific with an unbrokenly successful string of covert operations which leave the US war capacity seriously damaged. They seem to be free of Murphy's law.
Churchill is a bitter bully and a petty tyrant, especially when drunk (daily after 2 p.m.). One of his drunken rants drives away a key military adviser. When Roosevelt calls him after the Japanese attack asking for help, he hangs up on the president which is very difficult to accept since, even deep in his cups, Churchill would have hardly forgotten that America's help was indispensable to a victory over Germany. To top it off, when challenged in the House of Commons, he storms out instead of facing up to the attack. So the “half American whore” is replaced by a “sane, rational Englishman”. Expect a quick march to a “reasonable” arrangement with an Hitler-free Germany.
In the USA, Roosevelt faced with the failure of his New Deal policies to restart the economy on a truly sound basis is actively looking for a war with Japan as the solution. The long term aim is to crush them into a permanent subservient role and make the Pacific a totally American lake. FDR is deeply infuriated by the Japanese apparent unwillingness to respond to his serial provocations. When the attack finally comes, he simply pull out his already prepared “day of infamy” speech, fills in the date and stage delivers it to Congress.
Unfortunately, the combined (military / sabotage) Japanese attack is so successful (again Murphy's law is nowhere to be found) that the USA is left largely unable to respond. So FDR does a complete flip-flop and indicates a willingness to accept a joint US – Japan “partnership” over Asia & Pacific : “Japan administers, we sell.” Quite a departure from the original plan and quite a concession to the “little yellow monkeys” as they were largely seen in 1940s America. As an aside, since it is no longer “artificially” stoked by the government, the anti-Japanese furore (“Remember Pearl Harbour”) is deem to quickly fade away. Plausibility is again left by the roadside. And that is leaving aside the fact that the Japanese are deem to accept this offer without even a brief blinking pause.
Bottom line : a very enjoyable but not fully believable tale.
- gastrobartReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 6, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Just read and enjoy this book!
This book effectively describes how the axis powers won World War 2 and sets the scene for Fatherland by Rober Harris and Man in the High Tower by PKD. I thought Robert Heinlein was a bit of a fascist, and I'd have to think Andrew Blencowe is somewhere over to the right. This is a well crafted alternative history with a great flavour of realism wrapped up in an overcoat of pornography. Not sure why we were given glimpses of Wallis Simson's promiscuity with, well everybody. I have no objection to reading eroticism, I am no prude. However , enjoyable as that aspect of the book was, I found it actually got in the way of the story. I enjoyed this book, I wish it was longer and went into things in more depth (sorry - not refering to the porn here.) This book could make a great film and is a really great read, interesting, wide in scope and depth. Read it and enjoy the whole concept, the descriptions of the significant world leading charecters, see them in a new light. Oh and enjoy the sex education.
- Pen NameReviewed in Australia on March 17, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read...
A must read. Very easy to follow and very well written. I really enjoyed the way the book flowed. Well done and looking forward to another instalment in the future.
- Marta ChengReviewed in Canada on November 27, 2015
4.0 out of 5 stars What If History Was Re-Written?
What if a signficant event in history such as a world war was re-written? How about if Japan and Germany had won World War II? Such is the premise of The Goddess of Fortune, a most interesting historical what if? written by Andrew Blencowe. This is a book about sex, politics and powerful alliances and Blencowe’s book pretty much confirms what most of us have always suspected: that everyone in power has a hidden agenda. The writing is good, albeit a bit on the reserved side, but there’s plenty of treachery and duplicity to keep lovers of history entranced. The Goddess of Fortune also seems to confirm that the more powerful the man, the more robust (or deviant, depending on one’s view) his sexual appetites and it is into this miasma of sexual and political power plays, that the reader is introduced to young Louise who, despite her tender age, has the presence of mind to use the tools she was born with to bring the men in her life to submission. The Goddess of Fortune has plenty to speculate over and to enjoy.