My Top Ten Alternative History Novels.

10. 1901 by Robert Conroy. This is one of the most common scenarios in alternative history as the United States goes to war with Kaiser Bill's Germany before the First World War. It features reconciliation between North and South as they beleaguer United States is invaded by Germany. Led by Theodore Roosevelt, they call General James Longstreet out of retirement to fight the Hun in the streets of New York. Good solid entertainment without frills as it speaks to a common yearning for Americans to unite against a common foe.

9. The Hammer and the Cross by Harry Harrison is a different interpretation of the history of the Vikings in England. Here they combine with King Alfred of the Wessex to unite England. He follows a new version of the Norse pagan religion which is set up as a direct competitor with Christianity. And it succeeds. The first of a trilogy that is well worth reading for an alternative history of the Dark Ages.

8. On the Ocean of Eternity is the final book of a trilogy by S.M. Stirling which begins with Island in the Sea of Time. The island of Nantucket is sent back through time to the era of the Iliad. Agamemnon, Ulysses and other historical figures interact with ordinary Americans who are forced to find their way after being sent back in time. This final book is quite good and wraps up the storyline in a very interesting way. This has a strong science fiction element but does have an interesting alternative history slant.

7.Time Spike by Eric Flint is another time travel epic where a maximum security prison is sent back into pre-historic time where it meets up with other groups such as the mound building Native Americans, Cherokees from the Trail of Tears and Hernan De Soto of all people. The convicts and guards have to work together to defeat such enemies as a megalomaniac prisoner who seizes control of the prison and the savage conquistadors as well as the stray dinosaur. Not Flint’s best, it is good beach material. Sort of Oz meets Jurassic Park if Blake was going to review it. (Oz from HBO not the one with the tin man).

6. Island in the Sea of Time is the first book of the Trilogy by SM Stirling and is quite enjoyable as a stand alone item. This is where the Island of Nantucket and a stray Coast Guard sailing ship are transported back in time.

5. Stars and Stripes Forever by Harry Harrison is another alternative history where intervention by the British leads to the North and South combining to fight the British Empire. Southern generals like Lee and Stuart join with Grant and Sherman to conquer Canada and take a shot at Great Britain. Generally panned because of it’s over the top animus toward the English, the Irish based Harrison has a refreshing take on perfidious Albion and I found it very enjoyable.

4. 1812 The Rivers of Way by Eric Flint is an alternative history of Sam Houston, Andrew Jackson and the Cherokee nation at the time of the Trail of Tears. It revolves around the defense of Washington by Sam Houston and a motley band of volunteers that beat off the British attack. Mixed up with slavery and other issues of that fascinating time one of the main characters is James Monroe which is just unbelievable because he is almost a cipher in our history books. Highly recommended.

3. 1824 the Arkansas War is the second volume in the series by Eric Flint. This one is even better as the characters include such famous and fascinating people as Henry Clay, John Quincy Adams, Winfield Scott, James Monroe, Sam Houston, William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, the abolitionist John Brown and Senator Richard M. Johnson of Kentucky who I personally find endlessly interesting. I really think this is a great book, not great literature, but a really great read. If you love history, you will love this book.

2. 1632 by Eric Flint is the first in a series of books and a media empire. It is the story of how a town in West Virginia called Grantville travels back in time to 1632. The town has to rally together to survive and meets up with such historical personages as Gustav Adolphus, Peter Paul Reuben’s, Cromwell, Richelieu and tons of other famous soldiers, politicians, artists and explorers. A great starting point for the series, I think once you start it you will get hooked. I have read every book in the series and am a subscriber to the Grantville Gazette which is an online magazine that features stories set in this time line. This is the future of science fiction and alternative history in the way they integrate online e-books, fan fiction and low cost alternative to hard cover prices.

1. The best alternative history book I have ever read is How Few Remain by Harry Turtledove which is about the second Civil War. The Confederates receive aid from Britain and France and triumph in the Civil War. The continent is divided by an uneasy border. Open warfare breaks out lead by various historical figures such as George Armstrong Custer and Theodore Roosevelt who lead the only successful Northern Army. Abraham Lincoln was never assassinated, but instead is a socialist agitator who is shunned in most of the places he visits. It’s a real curve ball and kinda fascinating. It is by far Turtledove’s best book and now I think he should have quit while he was ahead. I couldn’t wait for new books in the series but they got weaker and weaker until I was happy the whole thing petered out. But this first book in the series is very highly recommended. Give it a chance; I think you will really enjoy it.