The trick to a good alternate history, particularly one thats trying to be as impish and unpredictable as crooked, is walking a delicious but delicate line between the weird and the plausible. Works of alternate history fiction trickled in during the nineteenth century and early twentieth century, but a true bloom of the genre sparked during the cold war era. A group of rebels begins distributing a video game asking citizens to ponder if the united states had won the war. While it is a bit more than might be expected in a book subtitled hitlers alternate scenarios, the chapter was fun to read. Imagine that this catastrophe leads directly to a political solution for the survivors. Voyage depicts the 1986 manned mission to mars, possible partially due to john f. Most works in this genre are based on real historical events, yet feature. Most biographies are nonfiction, but not all nonfiction works are.
This steampunk novel presents an alternate history in which a group of british philanthropists buy up land in africa to create everfair, a safe haven for africans fleeing king leopolds rule in the congo and formerlyenslaved people who were able to return from america. Set in berlin in 1964, the book is essentially a crime drama with a unique setting, though it still comes in as one of the better alternate history novels to date. Alternate history is a subgenre of speculative fiction or science fiction and historical fiction that is set in a world in which history has diverged from the actual history of the world. Thomas diana thomas diana is a french selftaught authorillustrator interested in alternatehistory among other things and tries to publish plausible, enjoyable and unique alternate history books. But it was the first one i read, it was in a science fiction book, and it made a big. This genre intersects with historical fiction, hard science fiction, soft science fiction, postapocalyptic fiction, and dystopian fiction, to name a few other genres. Alternate history fiction continues to thrive in the twentyfirst century, particularly as film and television adaptations are created from alternate history books. What cliches should i avoid in my alternate history novel. Its a genre full of novels, short stories, movies, and even a fanfiction community. The book chronicles the history of this new society. As a big alternate history fan, i get asked often to recommend a good alternate history books, but that is like asking me what my favorite film is. The hardsf book won a sidewise award for alternate history, and was nominated for the arthur c.
Tl191 uniform, weapons and equipment of the secondary combatants. It is an intriguing story of how an english slave becomes a. Jan 26, 2005 we currently have 52,708 articles, and look forward to growth. Theres plenty of imagination on display hereand research, too, as baxter invents not only a credible mission to mars but also a. These stories usually contain what if scenarios at crucial points in history and present outcomes other than those in the historical record. Refiguring historical time by karen hellekson kent, ohio.
The earliest known example of alternative history comes from livys ab urbe condita libri his monumental history of ancient rome written somewhere between 27 and 9 bc. American archaeologist martin padway is visiting the pantheon in rome in 1938. Herman wouks the caine mutiny is set in our own historical timeline for world war ii and is thus historical fiction. The type of althist i enjoy usually does involves time travel.
The books in this genre take an event, say a war, and explore what could have happened if the alternate force had won, instead of the one that did in real history. You are welcome to contribute any pages you wish, whether it be a minor sketch of an alternate history or an entire story thats fullyfleshed out. The alternate history genre may contain fantastical elements to. Alternate history fiction continues to thrive in the twentyfirst century, particularly as film and television adaptations are. This week we take a break from examining alternate timelines and recap the reallife origins of the alternate history genre. Lest darkness fall is possibly the earliest and best example of the alternate history genre. Alt hist readers might be interested in a new anthology containing 28 science fiction and fantasy stories based on an extraordinary secret history vatican vaults is a captivating collection of original science fiction and fantasy stories based on the same alternate world premise. Ford, fantasy alternate history combining vampires, the medicis, and the convoluted english politics surrounding edward iv and richard iii. Marks authors have gotten sixfigure book deals, been on the nyt bestseller list, and published with houses such as random.
Alternate history, alternate realities fiction, books. Alternate history or alternative history, sometimes abbreviated ah, is a genre of fiction consisting of stories that are set in worlds in which one or more historical events unfolds differently from how it did in reality. Instead of picking a divergent point and speculating on its repercussions, eric flint drops a slice of 2000 into 17th century germany. Its a meticulously thought out detective yarn set in a world where the nazis won world war ii. And the man in the high castle is among the most wellknown books that tackle that question. This universe is one in which alexander the great lived a full lifespan.
Many, many alternate history ask how the world would be different if germany had won world war ii. Kennedy surviving the dallas assassination attempt. Alternate history fiction is one of the hidden gems of literature, a sprawling chasm of a genre often overlooked by those not familiar with it. Discuss, rate, and post links to ah sites on the web. This isnt your runofthemill alternate history book. Since then, this had become and remains a staple of the alternate history genre.
The guns of the south has the confederates equipped with ak47s by. Set in a version of america that is ruled by japan and germany, with a neutral zone in between, this book is gets a little loopy, but its a classic of the. As a result, ive been thinking about how alternate history works, and what techniques apply to the sub genre. Dick, his majestys dragon by naomi novik, leviathan by scott westerfeld, jon. Techniques in writing alternate history the king of elfland. The best alternate history stories of the 20th century 2001 has fourteen stories and an introduction by harry turtledove. It can be variously seen as a subgenre of literary fiction, science fiction, and historical fiction. Most works in this genre are based on real historical events. Alternate history, counterfactual literature, speculative fiction the genre has many names, but one mission. The finest alternate history ever, lighthearted and wise a luminous, radiant novel. Two interesting genres of books are satire and anthology satire.
Basically, if you have an imagination, alternate history delivers. Its been five years since a cosmic incident known as the ring of fire transported the modern day town of grantville, west virginia, through time and space to 17th. Sep 27, 2005 alternate history science fiction 112 of over 30,000 results for books. We currently have 52,708 articles, and look forward to growth. Alternate history fiction asks what if something different happened and then extrapolates how the world would be different. Alternate history fiction genre complete list of book genres. Alternate history fiction books to read now penguin. His days of infamy books have japan occupying hawaii. Unlike many alternate histories, the novel avoids the wishfulfillment aspect inherent in the genre. There was an otherwise great movie made that posited what if the south won the civil war and kept slavery.
The origin of the alternate history genre is almost as old as recorded history itself. This wasnt the first alternate history ever written, which seems to have been written in the thirties. Alternate history literature asks the question, what if history had developed differently. Mark malatesta is a former literary agent turned author coach. Another multibook series you should check out is the hammer and the cross trilogy by harry harrison and john holm. Agent of byzantium has the byzantine empire surviving. Any and all original alternate histories are permitted here. Alternate history novels craft a fictional narrative with a mixture of both true. Alternate history project gutenberg selfpublishing. Fatherland is a classic of the alternate history genre. This is perhaps because on the surface it can look like fantasy or sciencefiction involved as it is with stories of worlds not our own however beneath the surface its an entirely different thing. These stories usually contain what if scenarios at crucial points in history and present outcomes other than those in the historical. The undisputed king of alternative histories is the prolific harry turtledove, who has helped guide the genre into mainstream reading. Bertram chandler, where australian bushranger and rebel ned kelly leads a successful revolution against british colonial rule.
This is a list of alternate history fiction, sorted by type. His southern victory or timeline191 series has the confederates beating the union. Second, wikipedia has a long list of alternate history books, series, anthologies, short stories and other works of alternate history. These alternate history books imagine the possibilities. As a result, ive been thinking about how alternate history works, and what techniques apply to the subgenre. Helen dales first novel, the hand that signed the paper, won australias miles franklin award. The stories span the length of the 20th century and deal with parallels, a war in australia instead of vietnam, texas occupying the same cultural space as poland in our history, and so on. Dystopian genre related book genres alternate history fiction genre apocalyptic genre disaster thriller genre political fiction genre postapocalyptic fiction genre utopian fiction definition. Much of althistory includes time travel, although this is not a requirement. Books in the alternate history fiction genre are based on events in history that transpired or ended differently. It differs from historical fiction, which mostly sticks to real history.
Thomas diana thomas diana is a french selftaught authorillustrator interested in alternate history among other things and tries to publish plausible, enjoyable and unique alternate history books. An alternate history, dystopian bitpunk book, this scifi novel features a world in which japan won the second world war. Alternate history or alternative history is a genre of fiction consisting of stories in which one or more historical events occur differently. The genre which is sometimes referred to as alternative history. Techniques in writing alternate history the king of. Set in berlin in 1964, the book is essentially a crime drama with a unique setting, though it still comes in. Premise point of divergence pod following his unlikely but decisive and immensely popular 1876 victory over sitting bull and the sioux at the little big horn, george armstrong custer is propelled into the white house in 1880. At the edge of the abyss cycle 1 features an alternate pacific war where pacifists try to change the course of the war. Alternate histor y or alternative hi story in commonwealth english, sometimes abbreviated as a h, is a genre of spec ulative fiction consisting of stories in which one or more hi storical events occur differently. Mark now helps authors of all genres fiction, nonfiction, and childrens books get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company literary agent undercover and the bestselling author.
If the csa won world war i by jordanalternate history is a genre of speculative fiction which alters historical events and sets stories within the worlds created by those changes. Discover the best alternate history science fiction in best sellers. Well, avoiding ya dystopian cliches, which are another thread entirely, here are my top 5. Paperback buy on amazon premise point of divergence pod firstside. Nonfiction books contain factual information, such as biographies and history books. It is similar to mark twain s a connecticut yankee in king arthurs court. The most unusual alternate history novels ever published.
Did you know such historical luminaries as benjamin disraeli, nathaniel. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Custer in chains by robert conroy published by baen on 2015 genres. Alternate history archives historical novel society. Satires, in the most basic definition, are works making fun of some sort of person or institution. Alternate history science fiction 112 of over 30,000 results for books. With an alternate history you can include scifi elements naturally, since you can decide any outcome that could spark a technological needdevelopement of some kind, that we do not have today. Generally, the this is a very big deal and obvious to the reader that it is a departure from actual history.
Alternate history is an interesting and imaginative look at what. The alternative history genre in science fiction welcome scifi althist lovers. Alternate history page 1 new york journal of books. Overall, battle of the bulge delivers the goods in the alternate history genre, complete with maps and fictitious endnotes my favorite. Political satires, such as a confederacy of dunces by john kennedy toole, are quite popular works generally, they are written to make fun of something, but that does not mean that it has to be a hysterical type of humor. May 11, 2009 this wasnt the first alternate history ever written, which seems to have been written in the thirties. Alternate history fiction books to read now penguin random. Alternate history or alternative history in commonwealth english, sometimes abbreviated as ah, is a genre of speculative fiction consisting of stories in which one or more historical events occur differently.
Most works in this genre are based on real historical events, yet feature social, geopolitical, or industrial circumstances that developed differently than our own. The following five works are a great way to dip your toe into the unique genre, as each book neatly navigates fantasy and reality in great hypothetical historical tangents and boasts twisted plotlines that showcase the results of putting historical facts and fantastical elements in the blender. Free ebooks, alternate history, alternate realities. Fiction books contain a story which was made up by the author, such as romance or childrens books. Set in berlin in 1964, the greater german reich enjoys an uneasy peace with the u. This is a collection of their short stories about an alternate history where the us had a communist revolution in the early 1900s instead of russia.