War of independencewas the insurrection fought between 1775 and 1783 through which of great britains north american colonies threw off british rule to establish the sovereign united states of america, founded with the declaration of independence in 1776. The hardsf book won a sidewise award for alternate history, and was nominated for the arthur c. The american revolution through the eyes of those that fought and lived it by george f. As a result hitlers dream of germania, a new capital to challenge that of ancient egypt, babylon, and rome is built, and the nazi empire has spread itself across most of the former russian lands. Robert conroys red inferno, for example, is a novel in form but addresses primarily a war between the soviet union and the western allies in 1945. I will update this compilation when i come up with new ideas. Since then, the alternate history genre has been nothing but plentiful. In this unabashedly positive view of alternate history, americanstyle freedom and justice are introduced to europe, and the american revolution. Feb 09, 2011 if you want to go a little further than reading material, code geass is an alternate history anime in which, prior to the events of the series, the british maintain their north american colonies but lose the british isles, forming a social darwinist state in the western hemisphere and eventually conquering japan. Which happens to be the sort of novels gingrich mostly writes, though he also has a set of conventional historical novels on the american revolution. Agent of byzantium has the byzantine empire surviving. 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. Despite honorable efforts by washington, gates, greene, and lee to lead the continental army, the american uprising was squashed by the most powerful force in the world, leaving america under the control of the crown.
History honorable mentiona major new interpretation recasts u. In an alternate future where the british empire never crumbled, the space ships of her majestys navy work to keep the spaceways safe. 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. Ultimately, the colonies and george washington wore down the british and forced them out of the former colonies. This book and the story contained within it is the poisoned well from which many western alternate history writers drink before we attempt to breathe life into a new world. Gibbs talked with me about his affinity for this era of american history and his new selfpublished novel, the long shot. Ive been looking for more books to read to research for my current series its alternate history postrevolutionary war, so doesnt quite qualify for the list, and i hope i can find time to read several of these.
It is a complicated and at times ironic story that needs to be explained and understood, not blindlycelebrated or condemned. Weve included alternate history novels focusing on different time periods and different parts of the world so there is sure to be something for everyones area of interest. Its many times the stuff of legend, the modern day reimagining of the myths of the old world overlaid on the frontiers and wilderness of north america. The book features work by historians john keegan, david mccullough, stephen ambrose, and others. Alternate history predictions what if america lost the. An alternate history of the american civil war, by jeffrey evans brooks, a single telegram changes the course of the civil war as a result jefferson davis never replaces joseph e.
This is a list of alternate history fiction, sorted by type. A compelling alternate history novel by the breakout author of ww ii era. As spokesman for the america first committee, charles lindbergh spoke out forcefully against american intervention in world war ii, and some. In our timeline otl, the american revolutionary war resulted in of the british north american colonies succeeding in winning independence from the british empire, and eventually founding what would become the worlds oldest surviving federation and its sole superpower by 1991 ce. Just a book of different alternate history scenarios that i have thought about writing down. Mar 05, 2002 but the history of the american revolution, like the history of the nation as a whole, ought not to be viewed simply as a story of right and wrong from which moral lessons are to be drawn. In for want of a nail, an alternate history novel by robert sobel that acts as a highschool textbook for an alternate reality where the us lost the revolutionary war, the divergence is traced back to benedict arnold. The american victory in the war of independence oxford university press, 2009 ferlings single volume history of the american revolution explores how the nascent national government defeated the british.
When nova scotia almost joined the american revolution. The book is set three centuries later as a clakker by the name of jax questions his existence, in turn changing the course of history. Alternate history, alternate realities fiction, books. What if the south had won the american civil war, or the british had won the american revolution well. The american revolution was the struggle of thirteen american colonies against great britain. The term american revolution also includes the american war of independence, and resulted in the formation of the united states of america. Subtitled the worlds foremost military historians imagine what might have been, what if. Herman wouks the caine mutiny is set in our own historical timeline for world war ii and is thus historical fiction. May 04, 2017 this book and the story contained within it is the poisoned well from which many western alternate history writers drink before we attempt to breathe life into a new world. His southern victory or timeline191 series has the confederates beating the union. Set in berlin in 1964, the greater german reich enjoys an uneasy peace with the u. These stories can blend speculative elements with historical facts, which is perfect for prompting discussion about what is truth and what is fiction in the novels discussed.
George washington is shot in the chest, sustaining a potentially fatal wound early in the revolutionary war. Nuttalls alternate history posits that the third reich was successful in beating the soviets, and winning the war. The land that was a god given right to americans, and to break away from imperialist oppression. The guns of the south has the confederates equipped with ak47s by. Hello, i am budweiserman2001 and i will be starting a new book called alternate history predictions. Alternate history books are a great way to explore these questions, and alternate history for teens is becoming increasingly popular. Gregory keyes is a set of alternate history books predicated on the idea that newtons fascination with alchemy in his later life has borne strange. Since 1969 he has been at brown university, where he is a professor of history. On january 20th 2009, president obama announces to a shocked world during his inauguration address that he is suspending the activities of the republican, libertarian and constitution parties, calling them, rightwing extremist organizations. The book is dedicated to all my forebears, patriot and loyalist, who fought and died on both sides.
If burgoyne had won at saratoga is an alternate history novel published in 1973 by the american business historian robert sobel. From beloved classics to eyeopening narratives, we compiled together 10 of the best books to buy on american history. 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. In the book they refer to washington as a bad commander, chosen by the continental congress in a political move. Compilation of alternate history scenarios historical fiction. Gregory keyes is a set of alternate history books predicated on the idea that newtons fascination with alchemy in his later life has borne strange fruit. May 25, 2018 many, many alternate history ask how the world would be different if germany had won world war ii. Philip roths bestselling novel, the plot against america 2002, gives us an alternate history in which charles lindbergh, transatlantic pilot and allamerican hero, becomes the. The patriot rebels, though fighting gallantly in the open fields of battle, were no match for the british. Perhaps one of the first real science fiction alternate history books we come across is h. If you like history and are a fan of alternate history then check this book out. British win the revolution lets pretend for a moment that the british actually won the revolution. The book is set in an alternate reality in which gen. Jul 04, 2014 turtledove told me that it was richard dreyfuss, the actor, who first gave him the idea of the american revolution as a subject for alternate history.
Alternate history fiction books to read now penguin random. But the history of the american revolution, like the history of the nation as a whole, ought not to be viewed simply as a story of right and wrong from which moral lessons are to be drawn. British attempts to assert greater control over colonial affairs after a long period. Sobel, the american revolution failed and the british colonies become the.
Despite this fact, the americas, the only continents on earth other than australia, whose nations were. Here, alternate history crosses paths with time travel. The american civil war is a popular point of divergence in englishlanguage alternate history fiction. Jul 01, 2016 the hardsf book won a sidewise award for alternate history, and was nominated for the arthur c. The book chronicles the history of this new society. I was reading the book for want of a nail by robert sobel.
Bradley thompson declaration of independence enlightenment history u. The american revolutionary war 17751783 or american war of independence began as a war between the kingdom of great britain and thirteen former british colonies in north america, and concluded in a global war between several european great powers the war was the culmination of the political american revolution, whereby many of the colonists rejected the legitimacy of the parliament of. 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. The undisputed king of alternative histories is the prolific harry turtledove, who has helped guide the genre into mainstream reading. The 100 best american revolution books of all time journal of the. The year is 1839, the american revolution had ended in the. American civil war alternate histories are alternate history fiction that focuses on the civil war ending differently or not occurring. Arun singh, a cardiac surgeon who has performed more open heart surgeries than almost anyone in historywill be published in 2018 by center street, an. The british win the american revolutionary war, and a desperate washington and. Turtledove told me that it was richard dreyfuss, the actor, who first gave him the idea of the american revolution as a subject for alternate history. Noted author philip roth deserves a place on our list with his alternate history novel the plot against. Jan 08, 2014 alternate history may be divided into two subgenres. All of those categories are stories that do not take place anywhere near the u.
Compilation of alternate history scenarios what if the. American revolutionary war our revolution alternative. The ideological origins of the american revolution by bernard bailyn the ideological origins of the american revolution, awarded both the pulitzer and the bancroft prizes, has become a classic of american historical literature. Debt, spending, taxes, and the bankrupting of america the real history of the vietnam war. Less common variants include a unio victory under different circumstances. The novel depicts an alternate world where the american revolution was unsuccessful. Theres plenty of imagination on display hereand research, too, as baxter invents not only a credible mission to mars but also a. Despite that the reich has never admitted to the evils it committed during the war. Jul 01, 2011 the book is dedicated to all my forebears, patriot and loyalist, who fought and died on both sides. And get 200 gold, and a protective shield for free join my vikings. Lets pretend for a moment that the british actually won the revolution.
An alternative evolution by dougal dixon, a book chronicling the world had the. Voyage depicts the 1986 manned mission to mars, possible partially due to john f. What i like about this particular book is a that it covers very interesting moments in american history and examines some intriguing what if speculations about them. Rankin da capo press, 1987 reporting the revolutionary war. In this first part i will be talking about the american revolution. Theres plenty of imagination on display hereand research, too, as baxter invents not only a credible mission to mars but also a credible technical, political and personal history behind it.
Hailed at its first appearance as the most brilliant study of the meaning of the revolution to appear in a generation, it was enlarged in a second edition to include the nationwide debate on the ratification of the constitution. Its a meticulously thought out detective yarn set in a world where the nazis won world war ii. He shows unusual sympathy for the losers, while telling a story of american triumph. American history is, for a nation not yet three centuries old, a long, storied, and epic procession. What if george washington was shot during the revolutionary. The story of the american revolution as told by participants. Johnston with john bell hood as commander of the army of tennessee in the battle of atlanta.
The book is the history of north america from the 1760s to the 1970s in a world in which burgoyne won at saratoga. The 100 best american revolution books of all time. Dec 04, 2016 american history remains one of the most popular genres of history, which is why we see dozens of books published each year on the subject. Im currently in love with the revolutionary war era, so this list is a great resource. The boston tea party was a political protest staged on december 16, 1773 at griffins wharf in boston, massachusetts. If youve never tried our ebooks, take a look at nypls ebook. He also announces he is declaring martial law across the nation and declares himself president for life. The book also includes a critique of itself by professor frank dana, an imaginary mexican. The most common variants detail the victory and survival of the confederate states. The american revolution oversimplified part 1 youtube. Many, many alternate history ask how the world would be different if germany had won world war ii. Although it is fiction, the novel takes the form of a work of nonfiction, specifically an undergraduatelevel.
Book 1 of the romes revolution saga romes revolution is a threepart interstellar adventure featuring a man from the 21st century and a woman from the 35th century who band together to fight forces dedicated to the extinction of mankind. And the man in the high castle is among the most wellknown books that tackle that question. His days of infamy books have japan occupying hawaii. The novel depicts an alternate world where the american revolution was. An alternate history of the american civil war, by jeffrey evans brooks, a single telegram changes the course of the civil war. Cheers to fascinating american revolution history and happy reading. In 1970 his book the creation of the american republic 17761787 was nominated for the national book award and received the bancroft and john h. Probably the first book length alternate history, napoleon and the conquest of the world. This seemed to spark a brand new revolution of alternate history. Lets look at some alternate stories of the american revolution. Book two in the series, the rising, is set to be released december of 2015. Alternate history is a branch of science fiction in which the course of history splits from the world as we know it, frequently at one crucial point, which aficionados call a point of divergence. The alternate events subgenre focuses on the changing events themselves. It is a complicated and at times ironic story that needs to be explained and understood, not blindly celebrated or condemned.
It differs from historical fiction, which mostly sticks to real history. Fatherland is a classic of the alternate history genre. Kennedy surviving the dallas assassination attempt. Ive been looking for more books to read to research for my current series its alternate history postrevolutionary war, so doesnt quite qualify for the list, and i hope i. Before it was history, it was news by todd andrlik sourcebooks, 2012 spirit of seventysix. The alternate historian is a channel for everyone and anyone who likes to ask what if.
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