Top 7 Alternate History Books
Dive into a world of what-ifs with these thrilling Alternate History Books. Each one presents an intriguing narrative where pivotal historical events unfold differently, allowing readers to imagine a world shaped by a different set of circumstances. From the American Revolution to World War II, these captivating stories will have you pondering the what-ifs of history.
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1. Nineteen Forty-five
In "Nineteen Forty-five, " Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen paint an extraordinary picture of a world that was never meant to be. Set in a timeline where Adolf Hitler did not declare war on the United States following the Pearl Harbor attack, the novel offers a striking portrayal of what the post-World War II landscape might have looked like. This fascinating, intricately-crafted narrative leaves readers to contemplate what could have been if history had taken a very different turn.
"Nineteen Forty-five" is a compelling and suspenseful journey that invites readers to see the potential consequences of a seemingly small choice. Through the masterful storytelling of Gingrich and Forstchen, the novel delivers a riveting look at a universe that deviates from what we know and challenges our understanding of how the world might have evolved.
From war-torn Europe to the shores of the United States, "Nineteen Forty-five" offers readers a vast, captivating landscape brimming with intrigue, history, and suspense. As the pages turn, readers are drawn deeper into this alternate timeline, confronted with unforeseen challenges and obstacles.
With its enthralling narrative and skillful character development, "Nineteen Forty-five" is an unforgettable experience that will leave you questioning the path history might have taken. Prepare to be immersed in a world where the familiar is foreign, and the unforeseeable is the norm.
Be warned - this book is not for the faint of heart or those who crave a happy ending. "Nineteen Forty-five" is a dark, gripping tale that explores the fragile nature of power, and how the smallest decisions can have a profound impact on the course of history. Brace yourself for a thrilling ride that you won't soon forget.
- Authors: Newt Gingrich, William R. Forstchen
- Publisher: Baen Books
- Published Date: July 05, 1995
- Page Count: 404.0
- Print Type: BOOK
- Categories: Fiction
- Maturity Rating: NOT\_MATURE
- Language: en
2. Ruled Britannia
In 1597, Britain has been ruled by Spain under King Philip for almost a decade. The citizens live in fear of an enforced curfew and the threat of the Inquisition, who publicly execute those deemed heretics. Queen Elizabeth is imprisoned in the Tower of London, leaving the British without a unifying symbol.
Enter William Shakespeare, a man of the theatre, whose words can inspire laughter and tears. Yet, he takes on the challenge of penning a play that will ignite the people's rebellion against their Spanish oppressors, leading to an uncertain destiny for the island nation in this alternate historical novel by Harry Turtledove. "Ruled Britannia" is an engrossing adventure filled with political intrigue, theatrical mastery, and the fight for freedom that brings readers to the edge of their seat.
- Authors: Harry Turtledove
- Publisher: Penguin
- Published Date: November 05, 2002
- Page Count: 576.0
- Print Type: BOOK
- Categories: Fiction
- Maturity Rating: NOT\_MATURE
- Language: en
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3. The Years of Rice and Salt
A Novel
Immerse yourself in Kim Stanley Robinson's alternate history masterpiece, The Years of Rice and Salt. Picture the world of the fourteenth century, where the unimaginable has occurred - a catastrophic event that killed 99% of Europe's population. As a result, history unfolds in an entirely different way, with vastly different religions wielding significant influence.
In this novel, Robinson takes us on a captivating journey through time, exploring the rise and fall of dynasties and nations, and witnessing the consequences of such a calamity. Follow the stories of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars in a world drastically altered by the plague. Delve into the complexities of religion, culture, power, and even love, as Robinson's vivid imagination brings this alternate world to life.
Bestselling author Kim Stanley Robinson weaves a tale of hope, resilience, and human aspiration despite the adversities of this bold New World. Brace yourself for a thought-provoking, magisterial alternate history that will leave you pondering the course of human events. "Exceptional and engrossing, " exclaims the New York Post, while Newsday calls it "Ambitious. . ingenious. " Embark on this extraordinary journey and witness history in a way you've never imagined.
- Authors: Kim Stanley Robinson
- Publisher: Spectra
- Published Date: June 03, 2003
- Page Count: 777.0
- Print Type: BOOK
- Categories: Fiction
- Average Rating: 3.0
- Ratings Count: 13.0
- Maturity Rating: NOT\_MATURE
- Language: en
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4. The Alteration
An extraordinary science fiction novel from the acclaimed British author Kingsley Amis, The Alteration is a captivating tale set in a parallel world where the Reformation never occurred. This immersive story unfolds in 1976, where the medieval era has remained in place, with its intellectual and spiritual foundations firmly rooted in the past.
In this world, Martin Luther was instead promoted to pope, and the consequences are far-reaching. Amis weaves a virtuoso narrative around our protagonist, Hubert Anvil – a ten-year-old boy with a remarkable talent for singing. As Hubert prepares to perform Mozart's second requiem in honor of the recently deceased King Stephen III, a select group of experts is tasked with determining whether Hubert's extraordinary voice should be preserved through a radical operation.
The pressure of art and sacrifice is laid on the young boy's shoulders, as he navigates the labyrinth of piety, menace, terror, and passion in a world where history has taken a very different turn. The Alteration is a classic piece of counterfactual fiction, offering a fascinating glimpse into a parallel universe and the impact of untapped human potential. A masterful work of science fiction, this novel has received critical acclaim and won the prestigious John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel in 1976.
- Authors: Kingsley Amis
- Publisher: New York Review of Books
- Published Date: May 07, 2013
- Page Count: 257.0
- Print Type: BOOK
- Categories: Fiction
- Maturity Rating: NOT\_MATURE
- Language: en
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5. A Different Flesh
From the master of alternate history, Harry Turtledove, comes a remarkable exploration of humanity set in an America shaped by a prehistoric evolutionary twist. In Turtledove's world, the savage "sims" (Homo erectus) dominate a land where woolly mammoths and saber-toothed tigers roam, while the advanced but less fortuitous Homo sapiens build thriving civilizations elsewhere.
The encounter of Europenians with these primitive creatures results in a brutal hierarchy, with Homo sapiens as masters and the "sims" as their slaves. Turtledove pens three hundred years of this alternate history, taking readers from the colonists' struggle to retrieve a kidnapped human infant, to the thrilling race between a steam-engine train and a popular elephant model, to a daring 1988 rescue for an unfortunate captive primate named Matt used for animal experimentations.
A Different Flesh is a thrilling and thought-provoking journey into the true essence of what it means to be human.
- Authors: Harry Turtledove
- Publisher: Open Road Media
- Published Date: June 09, 2015
- Page Count: 219.0
- Print Type: BOOK
- Categories: Fiction
- Maturity Rating: NOT\_MATURE
- Language: en
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6. Underground Airlines
Underground Airlines is a chilling exploration of an alternate history where the Civil War never occurred. In this dystopian world, slavery is still prevalent in four states known as "the Hard Four. " Victor, a young black man in the US Marshall Service, agrees to work as a bounty hunter in exchange for his freedom. He's on the trail of a runaway known as Jackdaw when he realizes something is amiss with his work and the country itself.
As Victor delves deeper, he discovers the shocking secrets at the core of America's arrangement with the Hard Four. With a thrilling plot and thought-provoking themes, this New York Times bestseller and Goodreads Choice finalist will leave you questioning the true nature of freedom and the nation we call home.
- Authors: Ben H. Winters
- Publisher: Mulholland Books
- Published Date: July 05, 2016
- Page Count: 355.0
- Print Type: BOOK
- Categories: Fiction
- Maturity Rating: NOT\_MATURE
- Language: en
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7. The Fiction Writer's Guide to Alternate History
A Handbook on Craft, Art, and History
Dive into the fascinating world of alternate history fiction with Jack Dann's "The Fiction Writer's Guide to Alternate History. " This comprehensive handbook not only unravels the intricacies of counterfactual fiction but also provides you with the tools to craft your own captivating alternate history stories.
Dann, a renowned figure in the field, takes you on a journey through the different forms of counterfactual fiction, distinguishing them and providing you with a conceptual overview. He also shares the 'tricks of the trade, ' such as 'Heinleining' and creating recognizable 'divergent points' to transport readers into unfamiliar realms.
The book doesn't stop there. To help you overcome readers' unfamiliarity with invented counterfactual events and cultures, Dann discusses the effective use of paratextual elements and 'layering. ' But that's not all; he also demonstrates, line-by-line, how to build an alternative history short story that leaves your readers spellbound.
For added insights, Dann includes a Q&A section with esteemed alternate history writers, offering their unique hacks, theories, processes, methods, and strategies. From Kim Stanley Robinson and John Birmingham to Lisa Goldstein, these renowned authors share their experiences and provide invaluable advice for aspiring writers in the genre.
Combining a wealth of knowledge with accessible writing tips, "The Fiction Writer's Guide to Alternate History" is the ultimate guide for anyone looking to explore or master the complex and intriguing world of counterfactual and alternative history fiction.
- Authors: Jack Dann
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
- Published Date: July 13, 2023
- Page Count: 185.0
- Print Type: BOOK
- Categories: Language Arts & Disciplines
- Maturity Rating: NOT\_MATURE
- Language: en
