# Help me identify a fantasy novel **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 22, 2016, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-a-fantasy-novel/763648 "2016-08-22T17:46:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-a-fantasy-novel/763648/1 "2016-08-22T17:46:42Z")
I read a novel in the late 70s/early 80s (may have been written earlier, but it seemed contemporary) with the conceit that magic was an ordinary part of everyday modern life. I don’t recall the details of how this was worked out, but my memory is that it was suburbs, cars, contemporary America, plus magic. The main character was a werewolf, and the one detail I remember well is that he had an invisibility cloak called a Tarnkappe. The plot revolved around some kind of secret war in the Catholic Church, which was a dominant institution and pro-magic. I don’t remember the theology of it, but in this world the church had been shaped mostly by the teachings of John (which John? I dunno) and not Peter. The “Petrine” faction, which was also against magic, was trying to take over. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-a-fantasy-novel/763648/2 "2016-08-22T18:07:04Z")
This is “Operation Chaos” by Poul Anderson - great book. > **[Operation Chaos (novel)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Chaos_(novel))** > > Operation Chaos is a 1971 science fantasy fixup novel by American writer Poul Anderson. A sequel, Operation Luna, was published in 1999. > In an alternate world, where the existence of God has been scientifically proven and magic has been harnessed for the practical needs of the adept by the degaussing of cold iron, the United States is part of an alternative Second World War in which the enemy is not Germany but a resurgent Islamic Caliphate, which has invaded the United States. Werewolf Steven... ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-a-fantasy-novel/763648/3 "2016-08-22T18:08:40Z")
Thanks AndyL! The cover shown on the Wiki page is the one I remember, too. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-a-fantasy-novel/763648/4 "2016-08-22T18:09:34Z")
> [@TSBG](#): > > Thanks AndyL! The cover shown on the Wiki page is the one I remember, too. Happy to help. I didn’t like the sequel “Operation Luna” nearly as well, but your mileage may vary. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-a-fantasy-novel/763648/5 "2016-08-22T22:28:25Z")
Grin! Mileage always varies! I liked Operation Luna more than Op. Chaos; I thought it was a bit more sophisticated and mature, and better developed. (And the guest appearance by Fu Manchu – Fu Ch’ing! – was lovely! One of the best Fu Manchu novels ever!) ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-a-fantasy-novel/763648/6 "2016-08-22T23:10:58Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Happy to help. I didn’t like the sequel “Operation Luna” nearly as well, but your mileage may vary. I agree that Luna wasn’t as good. For the OP’s benefit, both are a “serial-numbers filed off” loving homage to Heinlein’s “Magic, Inc.” (which I can’t recommend highly enough)