The title of this listopia says best alternate history novels and stories, yet oryx and crake, the year of the flood, the handmaids tale and 1984, which was written in 1949, are all set in the future due to this, and as earlier comments agree with me, ive removed these titles from this list. These nine books about numerous topics regarding european histories on a continentwide basis rather than nation states will educate you about europe. 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. Nonfiction history books include any books that lay out the known facts about a particular, time, culture, or event in history. Here are 10 writing mistakes that authors of alternate history fall into.
Unlike many alternate histories, the novel avoids the wishfulfillment aspect inherent in the genre. Alternate history or alternative history, for the grammar geeks reading this, is a genre of stories where history has changed from the actual course of the real. Alternate history fiction books to read now the question of what if is a jumping off point for many authors. Best alternate history novels and stories 681 books.
Alternate history fiction books to read now penguin random. We provide a guide to where books and ebooks can be bought, to websites dedicated to alternate history, and to blogs on writing and worldcreation. History teaches us that a third of europes populations was destroyed. Left with no alternative, president lincoln surrenders, and the confederate states of america becomes an independent nation. 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. So it makes a grim sense that its logic would be resurgent right now, as the alternate paths. Its completely up to you what those details are and to what extent you exactly want to change reality. Its the deceptively simple engine driving a wealth of great fiction. Fantasybased alternate history books spiritwalker series by kate elliott. Jul 01, 2016 lest darkness fall is possibly the earliest and best example of the alternate history genre. Check out our giveaways and exclusive cover reveals for the latest in ya releases. The latest anthology centers on alternate history and like the other collections includes a wonderful spread of tales covering a what if scenario on a wide range of eras and events written by mostly famous authors. Charlene harris, the author behind the twilight series has decided to enter the game of alternate history genre books, with her latest series of novels. Alternate history fiction books to read now penguin.
American archaeologist martin padway is visiting the pantheon in rome in 1938. However, not every classic of the genre features an aging hitler. Aug 23, 2018 alternate history is one of those sub genres that tends to fly a bit under the radar. The man in the high castle the man in the high castle is usually placed near or at the top of all alternative. Nov 08, 2020 alternate history fiction is a popular and exciting subgenre of speculative fiction. Alternate history, alternate realities fiction, books. Its the query at the center of one of literatures most fascinating and occasionally terrifying genres. We provide a guide to where books and ebooks can be bought, to websites dedicated to alternate history. Founded in 1998 by now author kimberly pauley as a basic stopover for people looking for information on young adult books, yabc has since evolved into one of the largest professional book recommendation sites targeted towards tween and teen readers. Dick 1962 the alteration by kingsley amis 1972 the difference engine by william gibson and bruce sterling 1990 fatherland by robert harris 1992 making history by stephen fry 1997 1632 by eric flint 2000. The origin of the alternate history genre is almost as old as recorded history itself. This third edition brings the history of science fiction up to date, covering developments over the past forty yearsa period that has seen the. Thanks to series like harry potter, red queen, and a court of thorns and roses, fantasy fiction might be more popular today than ever before.
We all love a good alternate history yarn no one more so, it must be said. Alternate history fiction is a popular and exciting subgenre of speculative fiction. 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. Obviously this was developed as a primer and a way of introducing young adults to the alternate history genre. Leviathan in this dazzling reimagining of history, world war i erupts between two great european powers the. Jane mckeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of gettysburg, pennsylvaniaderailing the war. Alternate history novels craft a fictional narrative with a mixture of both true and imagined historical context to create a world thats both familiar and enjoyably different to readers. Review this list of popular examples to help you get a better understanding of the alternate history fiction genre. The finest alternate history ever, lighthearted and wise a luminous, radiant novel. This is a forum for finished, complete alternate history timelines and scenarios.
The only thing to fear america has been carved into. I enjoyed the book, but there certainly wasnt much depth to the characters, and i don. Jan 08, 2014 alternate history may be divided into two subgenres. These are some of the coolest alternate history games you can play right now, including wolfenstein. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. Alternate history page 1 new york journal of books. May 25, 2018 fantasybased alternate history books spiritwalker series by kate elliott beginning with cold magic, this steampunk series is set in a version of the 19th century in which the ice age never ended, changing the balance of power across the globe. Its a tragic twist that will produce dire, farreaching ramifications.
Techniques in writing alternate history the king of elfland. Perhaps surprisingly, the early modern period of history starts c. Alternate worlds was first published in 1975 and became an instant classic, winning a hugo award. It is similar to mark twains a connecticut yankee in king arthurs court. Basically, if you have an imagination, alternate history delivers.
Others explore elements of fantasy and ponder how history might have turned out if these elements were in place. In one of the most unsettling whatif reversals to american history, the union army is overrun at the battle of antietam. Just as some books examine a country or a region, others discuss the continent or at least very large parts of it as. If youre looking for a magic book, 24 fantasy authors recommend books that made them fall in love. There are many other alternate history books by robert conroy. Alternate history, alternative history in commonwealth english, or simply althist, sometimes abbreviated as ah, is a genre of. Most works in this genre are based on real historical events, yet feature social, geopolitical, or industrial circumstances that developed differently than our own. Yes, when it comes to speculative fiction, we just cant resist reading about the twentieth centurys greatest monsters goosestepping their way into the information age. Use the discussion forums to develop scenarios that arent ready to be posted here and to make comments.
A question on the ambiguity of the alternate history genre. As a result there is a lot of info dumping as the young reader is introduced, whether they like it or not, to the concept of alternate histories. All the books listed for the financial times and mckinsey business book of the year award. Alternate history, alternative history in commonwealth english, or simply althist, sometimes abbreviated as ah, is a genre of speculative fiction consisting of stories in which one or more historical events occur differently. Exploring the benefits of the alternate history genre.
In school, having a favorite class was usually dependent on the teacher. Incredibly rare historical photos you wont find in history books. Bt exploring the benefits of the alternate history genre. Alternate history novels fall under the speculative fiction genre. Alternate history fiction genre complete list of book genres. Alternate history has long existed as a tool for film and television, and video games are no different. In an attempt to cram as much knowledge as possible into the average education, few courses take the time to real. The definition of the whole genre alternate history is that you are mostly trying to be as realistic as possible, except for one or more historical events. Alternate history literature asks the question, what if history had developed differently. Sometimes the setting may be in the real world, but certain important details are altered for a unique perspective.
There are separate lists for dystopian novels, by the way, should anyone be interested. Matt mitrovich is the founder and editor of alternate history weekly update and a volunteer editor for alt hist magazine. Fantasy alternate history combining vampires, the medicis, and the convoluted english politics surrounding edward iv and richard iii. The books are opening atlantisdiscovery, colonization, and alternate version of frenchindian war, the united states of atlantisrevolutionary war, and liberating atlantiscivil war.
T1 exploring the benefits of the alternate history genre. The alternate events subgenre focuses on the changing events themselves. Or you havent read fantasy since you were a kid, and you associate the genre primarily with wizard schools and children discovering theologically charged nation states in the backs of wardrobes. But what if the plague had killed 99 percent of the population instead. Feb 03, 2019 books in the alternate history fiction genre are based on events in history that transpired or ended differently. Number one new york times and usa today bestselling author charlaine harris is at her best in this alternate history of the united states where magic is an acknowledged but despised power in this third installment of the gunnie rose trilogy. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. These stories usually contain what if scenarios at crucial points in history and present outcomes other than those. Aug 29, 2018 works of alternate history are occasionally classified in a field of their own and more frequently found spattered across the genres of science fiction, historical fiction, fantasy and even young adult fiction. Sep 18, 2019 in contemporary alternate history literature, undoubtedly the most frequently explored premise is the whatifthenazishadwon postulation. The modern alternate history genre may not exist without the man in the high castle. But an alternate history novel can easily turn into a disaster of historic proportions, if you dont know what youre doing.
Suggestions for alt history books with modern people sent back in time. Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products. 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. While many history books are dedicated to highlighting a few major achievements of each era, there are millions of stories that none. Cherie priest 2009 more steampunk than alternate history, but this one is a worthy. His fiction can be found at echelon press, jakes monthly and the weretraveler. Mages and spirits and dragons also exist in this version of our world.
Apr 29, 2008 fiction science fiction alternate history historical fiction fantasy it is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occurthe coming of the black death. Suggestions for alt history books with modern people sent. Alternate history novels craft a fictional narrative with a mixture. Discuss, rate, and post links to ah sites on the web. Killing england by bill oreilly and martin dugard is an example of a popular history book. Alternate history fiction ahf exists to promote and to provide a guide. Alternate history, counterfactual literature, speculative fiction the genre has many names, but one mission. Fun and fascinating facts about famous figures you wont find in history books. Jane mckeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of gettysburg, pennsylvaniaderailing the war between the states and changing the nation forever. Discover the best alternate history science fiction in best sellers. While you may think you know some of historys most famous historical figures, the typical textbook leaves much to be desired. Want to start reading about french history, but arent sure where to start. Plus it is one of the first alternate history books to reach mass appeal where the alternate history wasnt created by supernatural means time travel, parallel universes, magic, etc. Two other early alternate history novels by turtledove are a world of difference, in which mars called minerva in the book is a habitable and inhabited world, and the case of the toxic waste spell dump, set in a world in which magic actually works.
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