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Dominion Kindle Edition

4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 8,898 ratings

An “absorbing and richly conceived” thriller set in an alternate history where Britain has come under Nazi rule (Seattle Times).

Britain, 1952. Twelve years have passed since Churchill lost to the appeasers and Britain surrendered to Nazi Germany. The global economy strains against Germany's war against Russia still raging in the east. The British people suffer increasingly authoritarian rule, with British Jews facing ever greater constraints.

But Churchill's Resistance soldiers on. And there are whispers of a secret that could forever alter the balance of global power. The keeper of that secret? Scientist Frank Muncaster, who languishes in a Birmingham mental hospital.

Civil Servant David Fitzgerald, a spy for the Resistance and University friend of Frank's, must rescue Frank and get him out of the country. Hard on his heels is Gestapo agent Gunther Hoth, a brilliant, implacable hunter of men, who soon has Frank and David's innocent wife, Sarah, directly in his sights.

Popular Highlights in this book

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Sansom is known primarily for his series of historical novels featuring sixteenth-century lawyer Matthew Shardlake, but Winter in Madrid (2008), a spy thriller set in 1940, brought the author some serious acclaim. More is sure to follow with this gripping alternate-history story set in England in the early 1950s. David Fitzgerald, a civil servant, is a member of the Resistance, a group dedicated to expelling the Nazis from England (in Sansom’s version of twentieth-century history, England surrendered to Hitler in May 1940). When David is given a very delicate assignment—extricate scientist Frank Muncaster from a mental hospital before the Nazis discover the potentially world-altering secrets in Muncaster’s possession—he doesn’t count on being pursued by a relentless Gestapo agent, Gunther Hoth, who will stop at nothing to silence Muncaster. A race-against-time thriller set against an imaginative and internally consistent historical backdrop, the novel should definitely appeal to fans of alternate history, especially the WWII novels of Harry Turtledove or Robert Conroy, and, of course, Robert Harris’ classic Fatherland (1992). --David Pitt

Review

"C.J. Sansom has long been one of my favorite writers, but DOMINION may be his most richly imagined book yet: it's a wonderful example of what the novel can do--a through-the-looking-glass glimpse into a world that might have been, and almost was."―Kate Atkinson, New York Times bestselling author of Life After Life

"
Dominion is terrific. And no, this isn't one of those publisher-sponsored blurbs. I just fell in love with it."―Stephen King

"Sansom has an original and impressive voice. Rich details add depth to the story. Absorbing and richly conceived."―
Adam Woog, Seattle Times

"A dazzling thriller, detailed, absorbing, and rich. The best novel of its kind since Robert Harris's
Fatherland."Charles Cumming, New York Times bestselling author of The Trinity Six

"Long and engaging. Rich and densely plotted. All too real."―
Kirkus (starred review)

"Intriguing. Page-turning. Delicious."―
Library Journal (featured review)

"Gripping . . . A race-against-time thriller set against an imaginative and internally consistent historical backdrop, the novel should definitely appeal to fans of alternate history, especially the WWII novels of Harry Turtledove or Robert Conroy, and, of course, Robert Harris' classic
Fatherland."―Booklist

"Tremendous."―
The Guardian (UK)

"Masterly."―
The Independent (UK)

"Exciting, sophisticated, and moving. There will be few better historical novels published this year."―
The Times (UK)

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00CO7FLE2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mulholland Books (January 28, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 28, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5295 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 650 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 8,898 ratings

About the author

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C. J. Sansom
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C. J. Sansom was educated at Birmingham University, where he took a BA and then a PhD in history. After working in a variety of jobs, he retrained as a solicitor and practised in Sussex, until becoming a full-time writer.

Sansom is the bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Shardlake series, as well as Winter in Madrid and Dominion. He lives in Sussex.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
8,898 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book for its readable and well-written prose. They find the alternative history intriguing and creative. Readers appreciate the author's research and thought-provoking ideas. However, opinions differ on the story quality, with some finding it engrossing and riveting, while others feel the plot is less than believable. There are also mixed reviews regarding the character development, with some finding them well-developed and memorable, while others think they lack depth.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

100 customers mention "Readability"87 positive13 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They describe it as an interesting read with a compelling plot and meticulous storytelling. The story is described as good versus bad, with enough surprises to satisfy.

"...Great story, great, believable characters, great writing...." Read more

"...history, and the wonder of the book is that Mr. Sansom creates a real, full-blooded, and entirely plausible world that is particularly real given..." Read more

"...It would make an excellent movie, not even terribly expensive to make since much of the book takes place in the fog...." Read more

"Like all of Sansom's books, this was great. I will miss his novels." Read more

51 customers mention "Alternative history"43 positive8 negative

Customers enjoy the alternative history in this book. They find it creative and thought-provoking, with a detailed historical analysis in the appendix. The story is told from a British perspective, and readers learn more about pre- and early WWII history through the book.

"...the book is that Mr. Sansom creates a real, full-blooded, and entirely plausible world that is particularly real given the resurgence of nationalism..." Read more

"...Fascinating concept just by itself. Well written and well thought out historical novel!!!" Read more

"This is the best alternate history novel I have read. Actually I haven’t read many of them...." Read more

"Counter-factual historical fiction -- aka "what-if" novels -- should primarily tell a compelling story about real human characters, set in some..." Read more

40 customers mention "Writing quality"38 positive2 negative

Customers find the book well-written and readable. They appreciate the author's writing style and proofreading. The characters are intriguing and full of action, making the story believable. Readers mention the book is thoughtful and worth reading.

"...Great story, great, believable characters, great writing...." Read more

"...Fascinating concept just by itself. Well written and well thought out historical novel!!!" Read more

"...Dominion, however, is simply a very well written book. It was hard to put down...." Read more

"...trashing of Britain's venerable institutions and heritage is carefully described and advanced -- but to me, it seems to happen perhaps a bit too..." Read more

37 customers mention "Research quality"34 positive3 negative

Customers find the book's research quality excellent. They say the concept is interesting and provides food for thought. The book is informative and inspiring, with thorough coverage of the Nazis. Readers appreciate the author's notes at the end. Overall, they consider it a useful reminder of the past and a good read.

"...Britain capitulated to Hitler in 1940 and averted World War II, is plausible and terrifying...." Read more

"The concept of the book is interesting, but the plot takes some time to coalesce: we are introduced to a variety of characters, and halfway through..." Read more

"...Based upon an impressive amount of research on the period to furnish verisimilitude, it follows the actions of a British Resistance movement up..." Read more

"...of this alternate 1952 England under the Nazis is very well done, thorough and plausible. Characters are well drawn too...." Read more

95 customers mention "Story quality"61 positive34 negative

Customers have different views on the story. Some find it an engaging thriller with an interesting scenario. Others feel the plot is a bit less believable and the ending is anticlimactic.

"...Great story, great, believable characters, great writing...." Read more

"...All of the characters are compelling. Sanson also gives an interesting scenario of what a post-Hitler internal power grab would have become...." Read more

"...Second, the kernel at the core of the plot is a bit less than believable. Notwithstanding, it's a great work of suspense and darkness...." Read more

"'Dominion' is an enthralling thriller, based upon the idea that Churchill never won leadership of a coalition British government in 1940 and how, as..." Read more

41 customers mention "Character development"27 positive14 negative

Customers have different views on the character development. Some find the characters well-developed and rounded, with no issues in remembering them. The use of historical personalities and real-life emotions is captivating. Others feel the story lacks coherence and the characters are poorly developed, simplistic, and unsympathetic.

"...Even the primary antagonist, a veteran of the Gestapo, is a well rounded character, not the cartoon Nazi villain that we typically see in fiction...." Read more

"...There are many secondary plots and characters...." Read more

"...His characters are not mere ciphers designed to advance the plot; with very limited exceptions, they are real and believable...." Read more

"...All of the characters are compelling. Sanson also gives an interesting scenario of what a post-Hitler internal power grab would have become...." Read more

30 customers mention "Pacing"13 positive17 negative

Customers have different views on the pacing of the book. Some find it well-paced and hard to put down, with a steady flow of action. Others feel it drags a bit and takes a while to get into.

"...The other difficulty is the time period: England in the early 1950s was, in fact, economically in the same condition as the conditions in this..." Read more

"A great novel about the sinister, gradual takeover of Great Britain by Nazi Germany...." Read more

"...is carefully described and advanced -- but to me, it seems to happen perhaps a bit too swiftly...." Read more

"...Dominion, however, is simply a very well written book. It was hard to put down...." Read more

14 customers mention "Scariness level"6 positive8 negative

Customers find the book frightening and believable. They describe it as an engaging read that looks like a terrifying alternate reality. However, some readers feel the story is too realistic, making it difficult to read.

"...The events of this book, while fictional, look like a frightening alternate reality that we could be living all bc of one decision." Read more

"...to Hitler in 1940 and averted World War II, is plausible and terrifying. Every character is drawn in colorful, three dimensional detail...." Read more

"...However, the main problem was that reading this thriller felt like a slog...." Read more

"...This alternate history is well-researched and frightening...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2014
    While the author in his Acknowledgments rates Fatherland by Robert Harris as the best novel in this genre, I thought this novel was far superior. Great story, great, believable characters, great writing. The alternate timeline, where Britain capitulated to Hitler in 1940 and averted World War II, is plausible and terrifying. Every character is drawn in colorful, three dimensional detail. Even the primary antagonist, a veteran of the Gestapo, is a well rounded character, not the cartoon Nazi villain that we typically see in fiction. This is a first rate spy thriller.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2016
    I don't often agree entirely with -- much less base a review on -- another reviewer's comments, but this is one of those rare exceptions. If you want to know everything I think about this book, read the review by Jill Meyers (another four-star review).

    "Dominion" is a wonderful book of alternative fiction, the premise being that Churchill did not prevail and become Prime Minister and that, as a result, Britain entered into a peace treaty with Nazi Germany in 1940. The rest isn't history, but it's entirely plausible alternative history, and the wonder of the book is that Mr. Sansom creates a real, full-blooded, and entirely plausible world that is particularly real given the resurgence of nationalism throughout Europe and, duh, the United States. His characters are not mere ciphers designed to advance the plot; with very limited exceptions, they are real and believable.

    The reasons that this book does not merit a five-star rating are exactly as Ms. Meyers says. First, it's too long, even though the primary reason for its length is the effort Sansom successfully makes to make the alternative world real and credible (as Ms. Meyers says, that's counter-intuitive, but nonetheless genuine). Second, the kernel at the core of the plot is a bit less than believable.

    Notwithstanding, it's a great work of suspense and darkness. If you're into alternative history, you should love this; if you're not, it's a great introduction.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2014
    I like C.J. Sansom's books and I've read all of them. I like the way he shows the strength of people despite a disability. I also enjoy alternative history fiction - I love steampunk and alternative history is sort of a variant. I do think there were a couple places where the plot meanders off track and incidents that prove to be totally irrevelant are given 50 or more pages. I wish there had been a second epilogue regarding the main characters - it would have been nice if one of the characters was pregnant in an epilogue (I'm just an old sentimentalist 😉)
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2016
    A great novel about the sinister, gradual takeover of Great Britain by Nazi Germany. The Nazis are brutal, but Sanson did his homework, so he goes into the Nazi war propaganda machine's techniques of slyly working behind the scenes to write laws of discrimination and "night-and-fog" disappearances of dissidents. All of the characters are compelling. Sanson also gives an interesting scenario of what a post-Hitler internal power grab would have become. Fascinating concept just by itself. Well written and well thought out historical novel!!!
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2015
    This is the best alternate history novel I have read. Actually I haven’t read many of them. As C. J. Samson says, people who are fascinated by history frequently think about “what ifs.” For me, however, the idea of alternate histories has always been better in the concept than in the execution. I read “Fatherland” almost 25 years ago and was disappointed. I have tried reading a couple of Harry Turtledove’s books, but they are actually more science fiction or fantasy than alternate history. No doubt there are a few other good ones out there, but I’m not inclined to spend time searching for them. Dominion, however, is simply a very well written book. It was hard to put down. The characters were sufficiently well drawn and the writing compelling. It would make an excellent movie, not even terribly expensive to make since much of the book takes place in the fog. Of course, for American audiences there would have to be a bit more said about where the U.S. ended up after the treaty between Britain and Germany, but that could be done easily. All in all, a very good book though short of a great one.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2024
    Like all of Sansom's books, this was great. I will miss his novels.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2024
    Counter-factual historical fiction -- aka "what-if" novels -- should primarily tell a compelling story about real human characters, set in some alternative historical context. DOMINION is not "about" the characters that inhabit it; rather, it's "about" the premise itself. It seems that Sansom has put far more effort into working out and describing the political structure of his alternative world, than he has telling the actual day-to-day story of personal struggle and jeopardy of David, Sarah, Frank, Natalia and the rest of them.

    As a novel, the result is dry, excessively long and rather formulaic. It feels like the characters are only there to illustrate the geopolitical situation the author is attempting to create. At the end of the story, we discover our heroes have accomplished little (a common attribute of his Shardlake novels), and are primarily victims of "history." Several important details of their lives are left frustratingly unresolved, as the novel ends and we are left with dozens of pages of non-narrative epilogue and historical notes.

    We read in the final paragraphs what may have been the author's motivation in creating this work: to advocate against Scotland leaving the UK in 2012, and to make the case against ultra-nationalisim more generally.

    IMHO this would have worked better as a work of academic non-fiction.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
    Reviewed in Canada on April 20, 2024
    While I read and enjoy a lot of WW2 books, this is the first I've read one with an alternate ending. That's just not quite a genre I read much of. However, this truly was magnificent. It felt plausible. The characters were easy to understand, to see and hear in my mind. This book was well written and even though it was very long, it didn't drag. It held my attention all the way through. Well done!
  • Janie U
    5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece of the Imagination
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 20, 2023
    I'd read all of this author's Shardlake novels and enjoyed them so decided I would read some of his others.
    This book is based in a fictional England where WW2 was lost to the Germans. It's an interesting idea that gives lots of scope for the imagination.
    It is a brick of a book at 690 pages and is split into 57 chapters with various additional sections before and after the main narrative. There is also a fascinating map at the start showing the huge area controlled by the German empire.
    I love the setup with the intriguing political developments following losing the war in 1940. The cabinet brings together many of the far right politicians of the time with Churchill remaining enigmatic but keeping a definite presence.
    I'm in total admiration of the imagination it took to create this story. Historical fiction is always a challenge but to use a historical setting which you twist from reality is on another level. It is full of "what if" situations and encourages pauses when you have to wonder if some of the situations could still happen today.
    The far right in Europe is active in the 2020s which makes this novel as relevant now as when it was written.
    We get to see the full cruelty of the triumphal Fascist party, with their behaviour worsening as they are threatened. You can't help but think this would not be allowed in Britain but then can only acknowledge that even worse things are happening all around the world.
    The setting and warped history allows the author the chance to play with scientific/technological advances that move slower/faster than in reality. We also get a peek into the business world of the 1950s - I loved the idea of an interdepartmental messenger running around in the days before emails and when phones could not be trusted. It's also fascinating to see how the characters need to find phone boxes to communicate - what a difference mobile technology has made in today's world.
    Tension is introduced from the first scene and continues to the last.
    David and Sarah have problems in their relationship because of their recent tragedy and the involvement with the resistance makes everything more difficult. As an observer you want them to be honest with each other but understand that each is trying to protect the other. Their names are common for the period but it is ironic that they are both from the old testament which connects to the Jewish faith. This is a clever detail from the author.
    Approximately 2/3 into the novel it shifts pace and becomes moves from being a political thriller to the style of a more traditional spy thriller. Several times the reader will be convinced that our heroes are about to be captured and we need to carry on reading to find out what happens - it is impossible to predict.
    The only thing that made this less than absolutely perfect was some of the amateurish things that the Germans did towards the end - I forgave the author though as I have so much love for the rest of the book.
    The plot is mainly chronological with a few changes back and forward to show the same situations from multiple perspectives. It's written well with a natural flow.
    At the end of the book there is a Historical note which gives great context.
  • Elsie Moreno
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente!
    Reviewed in Spain on August 20, 2019
    Dominion, al igual que todos los otros titulos de CJ Sansom que he leido con anterioridad me ha cautivado desde las primeras paginas. El estilo narrativo del autor no solo te captura, sino que ademas te transporta a otra epoca, con descripciones de una realidad que casi puedes tocar. Encantada de poder seguir a Mr. Sansom y sus magnificas historias!
  • ashualec
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing read
    Reviewed in India on August 7, 2018
    The book is worth reading. Sansom has done a wonderful job of creating alternate history.
  • 洋書の友
    4.0 out of 5 stars 親ナチ英国政府!から秘密を抱えて逃亡!?
    Reviewed in Japan on March 1, 2022
    歴史If 物。もしチャーチルが首相に選ばれず、且つ、ダンケルク惨敗後、ドイツに降伏したら・・・十分有りえた設定。1950年、ゲッペルスが老いたヒトラーの後継者。独軍はスターリンを逮捕処刑し、ウラルでソビエト軍と対峙中。ビーバーブルックが英国首相で親ナチ政策を推進し、巷ではユダヤ人狩りが進行している。お話しの主人公は地下に潜ったチャーチルが率いるレジスタンスに協力して機密文書を密かにスパイしてきたが、うっかりミスで漏洩がバレ、秘密警察の魔の手が迫るも際どく逃亡。以下追う側と逃げる側との息詰まる展開になって手に汗握る。ただ少し長い(700頁弁当箱サイズ!)。英語は簡潔平易。文学賞受賞しているくらいだから読みごたえは十分ある。

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